Dennis Prager says that everything you need to know about the Middle East, you can learn from Iran’s reaction to their devastating earthquake: Iran clarifies the Middle East. (Hat tip: caryn.)

A massive earthquake kills between 20,000 and 40,000 Iranians, and the government of Iran announces that help is welcome from every country in the world … except Israel.

�This little-reported news item is of great significance. It begs commentary.

�Israel not only has the world’s most experienced crews in quickly finding survivors in bombed out buildings, it is also a mere two-hour flight from Iran. In other words, no country in the world would come close to Israel in its ability to save Iranian lives quickly.

�But none of this means anything to the rulers of Iran. The Islamic government of Iran has announced to the world that it is better for fellow countrymen and fellow Muslims — men, women and children — to die buried under rubble than to be saved by a Jew from Israel.

�That is how deep the hatred of Israel and Jews is in much of the Muslim world.

UPDATE: And to underscore Dennis’ point, here’s the latest statement from Iranian “President” Mohammad Khatami, who will gladly accept American aid, but warns that we should not expect any changes in their attitude toward the United States—the Great Satan—as a result. After all, this is the standard, expected jizya tax that an Islamic state requires of the dhimmi. Accepting aid from dhimmis is not really accepting aid. It’s what they’re supposed to do. Iran Says U.S. Aid Won’t Help Relations. (Hat tip: zulubaby.)

“Humanitarian issues should not be intertwined with deep and chronic political problems,” Khatami said. “If we see change both in tone and behavior of the U.S. administration, then a new situation will develop in our relations.”

Good dhimmi Colin Powell immediately sprang into action, praising Iran for a “new attitude,” apparently without noticing that all Iran really did was accept a handout, then spit on our hand.

“There are things happening, and therefore we should keep open the possibility of dialogue at an appropriate point in the future,” Powell was quoted as saying in Tuesday’s Washington Post.

Iranian leaders have agreed to permit unannounced inspections of the country’s nuclear energy program and made overtures to moderate Arab governments. They also accepted an offer of U.S. humanitarian aid after last week’s devastating magnitude-6.6 earthquake.

“All of those things taken together show, it seems to me, a new attitude in Iran in dealing with these issues — not one of total, open generosity, Powell said. “But they realize that the world is watching and the world is prepared to take action.”

Yes, as Secretary of State, Powell’s job is to promote negotiation and conflict resolution. But I can’t help suspecting that to the radical Islamic mindset, the Western world’s rush to aid their evil regime looks an awful lot like … weakness.