Ahmadinejad's Anti-Semitism May Cost Him Dear
Millions of people in Iran are getting ready to vote in elections to decide whether Mahmoud Ahmadinejad should stay in power.
The President's defiant stance on Iran's nuclear programme and his attacks on Israel have helped make him popular and electable.
However, he has been attacked by opponents at home and foreign heads of state for calling for the destruction of Israel and denying that the Holocaust took place.
Iran is home to 25,000 Jews, who live mainly in the capital, Tehran, and the southern city of Esfahan.
They have been buffeted by the President's rhetoric, but say they want to keep politics separate from religion.
Esfahan, home to around 1,000 Jews, has a thriving synagogue which acts as a the lynchpin of the community.
There are no name plaques to identify it as a Jewish centre – it could easily be missed.
Its members, too, are keen to keep a low profile and wary of being drawn into a political controversy.
Most refused to answer questions about their President's comments.
One said: "We are proud Iranians and live peacefully with our Muslim brothers.
"As Jews, we are peaceful and detest war. It is regarded by our religion as a travesty."
However, Mr Ahmadinjad's moderate reformist rivals have tackled him head-on over his anti-Semitic comments.
During a live televised presidential debate, Hussain Moussavi accused his hardline opponent of discrediting Iran.
That challenge to President Ahmadinejad's version of history has been welcomed by senior Iranian Jews.
Dr Ciamak Morsadegh, director of Tehran's Sapir hospital, said the President's Holocaust denial had been questioned before.
"For us to hear other politicians attack the President is nothing new. It has happened before, but you are only learning about it now because of the television debate," he said.
"We know the Holocaust denial is not good for the image of Iran."
Dr Morsadegh is also Iran's only Jewish Member of Parliament.
He said the community is like any other and dismissed the idea of a block vote against the President.
"We are not urging the community to vote for one candidate over another," he said.
"Iran's Jews are like any other voters. They are free to choose any candidate they like."
Hundreds of miles to the north of Esfahan, large crowds gathered at a rally for Mr Ahmadinejad.
Tens of thousands of loyal supporters carried the Iranian tricolour.
Many also carried the yellow Hizbollah flag, and the chant "death to Israel" was sung loudly and often.
Iran's Jews may shun political controversy.
But their President's comments about Israel and the Holocaust have now become one of Iran's election issues.
It may attract conservative voters.
Or it could be one of the reasons President Ahmadinejad will lose Iran's election.