Iran launches Holocaust cartoon contest

A LEADING Iranian newspaper is to hold a competition for cartoons on the Holocaust in what it calls a test of whether the West extends the principle of freedom of expression to the Nazi genocide as it did to the caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed.

Hamshahri, one of Iran’s largest papers, made clear the contest is a reaction to European newspapers’ publication of Danish cartoons of Mohammed, which have led to demonstrations, boycotts and attacks on European embassies across the Islamic world. Several people have been killed.

Meanwhile, the country’s supreme leader said the West’s publication of the cartoons was an Israeli conspiracy motivated by anger over Hamas’s win in the Palestinian elections.

Speaking to Iranian air force personnel, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said the cartoons were a scandal, particularly as they came “from those who champion civilisation and free expression”.

“The West condemns any denial of the Jewish Holocaust, but it permits the insult of Islamic sanctities,” Ayatollah Khamenei said.

A group of about 50 protesters hurled stones and firebombs at the Norwegian embassy in the Iranian capital last night, marking the second straight day of violent protests against European missions over the publication of caricatures of Islam’s prophet.

A small fire outside the embassy was quickly contained but the protest continued, underlining Iranian anger over the drawings on a day that saw the government break all trade ties with Denmark.

The newspaper said the contest would be launched and co-sponsored by the House of Caricatures, a Tehran exhibition centre for cartoons. The paper and the cartoon centre are owned by the Tehran Municipality, which is dominated by allies of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, well-known for his hostility to Israel.

Mr Ahmadinejad, who was Tehran’s mayor until being elected president in June, provoked outcries last year when he said Israel should be “wiped off the map” and the Holocaust was a “myth”.

Iran said last month it would sponsor a conference to examine the scientific evidence supporting the Holocaust, an apparent attempt to give voice to Holocaust deniers.

Hamshahri invited foreign cartoonists to enter the competition.

“Does the West extend freedom of expression to the crimes committed by the United States and Israel, or an event such as the Holocaust? Or is its freedom only for insulting religious sanctities?” Hamshahri wrote.

The EU’s executive office yesterday warned Iran that attempts to boycott Danish goods or cancel trade contracts with European countries would lead to a further rupture in already cool relations.

“A boycott of Danish goods is by definition a boycott of European goods,” said EU spokesman Johannes Laitenberger.