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One of the most influential academics on the Holocaust today has suggested that supporters of Israel are too preoccupied with Iran’s Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Deborah Lipstadt, who famously won a libel battle with Holocaust denier David Irving, said people made too much of a fuss about his incendiary statements, which include Holocaust denial and attacks on Israel’s existence.

"He’s a dangerous man, he's a hater of Jews, if he had his hands on a nuclear weapon it would not be a good thing," Ms Lipstadt told Ha'aretz. "[But] one day the Ayatollahs are going to get rid of him, and then what – that solves our problem?

"From many points of view, including his Holocaust denial, Ahmadinejad is the gift that keeps on giving.

She also cautioned against the polarised view of the Israeli Palestinian conflict presented by US politicians and presidential hopefuls. "There’s no nuance, there’s no middle ground, it’s taking any shade of grey and stomping on it," she said.

"It’s dangerous, for your support of Israel to become a litmus test."