UANI Condemns Iranian Regime’s Holocaust Cartoon Contest

Anti-Semitic contest underscores that nature of the Iranian regime
remains fundamentally unchanged in the aftermath of the nuclear deal

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#Cartoon—United
Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), the nonpartisan, not-for-profit
advocacy organization known for its efforts to heighten awareness of the
danger the Iranian regime poses to the world, today condemned the
reprise of the controversial Holocaust Cartoon Contest in Iran. UANI
Chairman Senator Joseph I. Lieberman and CEO Ambassador Mark D. Wallace
issued the following statement on the eve of the month-long political
cartoon contest, which is supported by a number of entities tied to the
Iranian government:

“This weekend marks the third year the Iranian regime will provide a
platform that endorses anti-Semitism, genocide, bigotry, and racism.

As companies consider the risks of doing business in Iran, the regime’s
support for hateful events like the Holocaust Cartoon Contest are
important reminders of Tehran’s long record of support for anti-Semitism
and disdain for human rights. For those looking for signs of moderation
from Iran, this contest is a cold slap of reality.

Contrary to Foreign Minister Javad Zarif’s denials, it is no secret that
organizations with direct ties to the Iranian government are
orchestrating this event, which serves no purpose but to insult the
memories of the millions of victims of the Holocaust and to promote
Holocaust denial. The U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum revealed
that event organizers Owj Media and Sarcheshmeh Cultural Complex are
funded by government entities such as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard
Corps (IRGC), Iranian parliament, and the Iranian Ministry of Culture
and Islamic Guidance.

Foreign Minister Zarif’s accusations of a double standard on free speech
by Western countries is a weak and intellectually dishonest attempt to
shift the focus away from the Islamic Republic’s continued abhorrent
behavior. Over the years, we have seen the Iranian regime silence its
detractors who fail to toe the regime line, yet events like the
Holocaust Cartoon Contest are allowed to operate freely and spread
hateful messages.

Given Iran’s continued
calls for Israel’s destruction, it is abundantly clear to the global
community that the fundamental nature of the Iranian regime has not
changed. Governments, companies, and individual investors risk damage to
their reputation in betting on Tehran, and unless and until these
hateful events are discontinued, they have good cause to continue to
stay away.”

Media interested in speaking with Senator Lieberman or Ambassador
Wallace, please contact: press@uani.com.

About UANI

UANI is an independent, not-for-profit, non-partisan, advocacy group
founded in 2008 by Ambassador Mark D. Wallace, Ambassador Richard
Holbrooke, former CIA Director Jim Woolsey and Middle East Expert
Ambassador Dennis Ross, that seeks to heighten awareness of the danger
the Iranian regime poses to the world.

Contacts

United Against Nuclear Iran
Steven Cohen, 212-922-0063
press@uani.com