BERLIN (EJP)---Ronald Lauder, the new president of the World Jewish Congress (WJC), Monday denounced countries doing business with Iran.

"One should not do business with people who threaten their neighbours and even deny the existence of the Holocaust," he said in an interview with the German newspaper Bild Zeitung.

Lauder, who was to meet with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmier later on Monday, declared: "Germany has to be particularly attentive, if even some major German companies would like to sweep this aspect under the carpet.”

Accusing "certain Europeans " of not taking seriously enough the Iranian threat, he called on Europe to be firm with Tehran.

"Some act in Europe in a ambiguous way. Iran’s war threats against Israel are considered as pure rhetoric. It is complacent and irresponsible,” Lauder added.

"Certain Europeans still do not understand that they themselves are threatened by Iran’s nuclear program,” he said, calling Europe " to take more responsibilities to thwart the mullahs.”

The United States, Russia, China, Great Britain, France and
Germany, the countries which are negotiating with Tehran, chose to wait until November and two key reports to be completed before deciding on possible new sanctions against Iran.

France is in favour of the preparation of European sanctions and intends to raise the issue on 15 October during a meeting with its EU partners.

Lauder, who became WJC president in June, is to discuss with the German leaders the Iranian issue, the Middle East conflict as well as anti-Semitism in Germany and in Europe in general. He will be accompanied by Moshe Kantor, president of the European Jewish Congress.