April 14, 2015
Washington, DC—The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum strongly condemns the Second Holocaust International Cartoon and Caricature Contest being organized by the Tehran-based House of Cartoons and the Sarcheshmeh Cultural Complex, under the supervision of the Supreme Leader. As in the first such contest, this one invites contributors to create cartoons questioning the historical truth of the Holocaust. Winning submissions from the 2006 contest denied and minimized the genocide committed against the Jews and came from Brazil, France, Iran, Italy, Jordan, Morocco, and Syria.
This second contest sponsored by official Iranian organizations continues a dangerous pattern of government-sponsored or sanctioned demonization of Jews. For example, this contest specifically calls for caricatures of Benjamin Netanyahu and Adolf Hitler. This comes from a country whose influential leaders use genocidal language against Israel and employ inflammatory speech to incite violence.
We call on world leaders to join us in denouncing this unacceptable event and all forms of Holocaust denial and antisemitism.
A living memorial to the Holocaust, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum inspires citizens and leaders worldwide to confront hatred, prevent genocide, and promote human dignity. Its far-reaching educational programs and global impact are made possible by generous donors. For more information, visit ushmm.org.
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