Melbourne, Australia, Washington DC, USA … The B’nai B’rith Anti-Defamation Commission (ADC) and B’nai B’rith International (BBI) have B’nai strongly condemned Iran’s annual international cartoon contest satirizing the Holocaust. The competition started May 14 and will continue for the next two weeks, with 150 entries already on display from at least 50 countries. According to reporters at the scene, the contest secretary compared the horrors of the Nazi regime with Israel’s treatment of Palestinians.
ADC Chairman Dr Dvir Abramovich, and Dan Mariaschin, Executive Vice President of B’nai B’rith International, issued the following statement:
“This anti-Semitic contest is threatening Jews and Israel by perpetuating racist stereotypes that only encourage incitement against the Jewish state and Jews around the world. Iran has zero credibility as a legitimate partner on the international stage. Additional recent evidence of Iran’s duplicity came in October when Tehran breached its nuclear agreement with the P5+1 powers, by test-firing a missile capable of mounting a nuclear warhead, as well as its daily calls for the elimination of Israel. Iran’s behaviour as an unbridled hater of Israel is rarely challenged in the international community. It’s simple—Tehran demonizes and supports the delegitimization of the State of Israel, as evidenced by this despicable and anti-Semitic ‘contest.’ Tehran’s wilfully defying the P5+1 nuclear agreement further serves as a useful reminder of the regime’s true motives. And, the Iranian government continues to be a known supporter and purveyor of terrorism. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that Iran is “preparing another Holocaust” by allowing this contest to carry on. The global community should speak with one voice to condemn this outrageous display of anti-Semitism.
The Anti-Defamation Commission, founded in 1979, is Australia’s leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through educational programs that combat bigotry, prejudice and all forms of hatred.
For further information please contact Dr Dvir Abramovich on (03) 9272 5677
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