Editing Holocaust denial (section)

===Iran===
[[File:Supreme Leader of Iran Khamenei Denying Holocaust.webm|thumb|upright=1.3|The [[Supreme leader of Iran]] Khamenei has denied [[Holocaust]] on multiple occasions.]]
[[File:Rio does not welcome Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|Protest in Brazil against former [[Iranian President]] [[Mahmoud Ahmadinejad]], criticizing [[International Conference to Review the Global Vision of the Holocaust|his Holocaust denial]]]]
Former Iranian President [[Mahmoud Ahmadinejad]] frequently denied the Holocaust,<ref name="InternationalList1">Variously:
*[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4529198.stm "Holocaust comments spark outrage"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211112061120/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4529198.stm |date=November 12, 2021 }}, BBC News, Accessed December 14, 2005.
*Esfandiari, Golnaz. [http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2005/12/6f3acbdf-d5f9-4ba1-8c9d-278c700ae2ea.html "Iran: President's Latest Comments About Israel Spark Further Condemnation"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080820094906/http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2005/12/6f3acbdf-d5f9-4ba1-8c9d-278c700ae2ea.html |date=August 20, 2008 }}. Radio Free Europe. Accessed January 28, 2008.
*[http://www.ncccusa.org/news/051216Ahmadinejad.html "NCC Condemns Ahmadinejad's Holocaust Statement"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090417214619/http://www.ncccusa.org/news/051216Ahmadinejad.html |date=April 17, 2009 }}. [[National Council of Churches]]. Accessed December 16, 2007.
*[http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/meast/10/27/ahmadinejad.reaction/index.html "Annan: 'Dismay' over Iranian comments on Israel"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207130247/http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/meast/10/27/ahmadinejad.reaction/index.html |date=December 7, 2008 }}. CNN. Accessed September 27, 2007.
*[http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/meast/12/14/iran.israel/ "Iranian leader: Holocaust a 'myth'"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051216125829/http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/meast/12/14/iran.israel/ |date=December 16, 2005 }}. [[CNN]]. December 14, 2006.</ref> formally 'questioning' the reliability of the historical evidence,<ref name="Spiegel">[http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/spiegel-interview-with-iran-s-president-ahmadinejad-we-are-determined-a-418660.html "Spiegel Interview with Iran's President Ahmadinejad: 'We Are Determined'"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512214220/https://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/spiegel-interview-with-iran-s-president-ahmadinejad-we-are-determined-a-418660.html |date=May 12, 2019 }}, ''Der Spiegel'' (May 30, 2006). Retrieved 07sep2013.</ref> although he on occasion confirmed belief in it.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20071011100923/http://www.theisraelproject.org/atf/cf/%7B84DC5887-741E-4056-8D91-A389164BC94E%7D/20070924AHMADINEJADCOLUMBIATRANSCRIPT.DOC Transcript of his speech on September 24, 2007.] "However, I believe the Holocaust, from what we read, happened during World War II after 1930 in the 1940s."</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=773638342167920349|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629105844/http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=773638342167920349|url-status=dead|title=Video of his speech on September 24, 2007. Timecode 22:28 to 22:37.|archivedate=June 29, 2011}}</ref> In a December 2005 speech, Ahmadinejad said that a legend was fabricated and had been promoted to protect Israel. He said:

{{blockquote|They have fabricated a legend, under the name of the Massacre of the Jews, and they hold it higher than God himself, religion itself and the prophets themselves.... If somebody in their country questions God, nobody says anything, but if somebody denies the myth of the massacre of Jews, the Zionist loudspeakers and the governments in the pay of Zionism will start to scream.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/archive/2005/12/200849154418141136.html|title=Ahmadinejad: Holocaust a myth|work=[[Al Jazeera Arabic|Al Jazeera]]|access-date=July 9, 2008|archive-date=September 23, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090923231908/http://english.aljazeera.net/archive/2005/12/200849154418141136.html|url-status=live}}</ref>}}

The remarks immediately provoked international controversy as well as swift condemnation from government officials in Israel, Europe, and the United States. All six political parties in the German parliament signed a joint resolution condemning Ahmadinejad's Holocaust denial.<ref>[https://archive.today/20120730021205/http://www.expatica.com/source/site_article.asp?subchannel_id=52&story_id=26268&name=German+parliament+slams+Ahmadinejad+remarks German parliament slams Ahmadinejad remarks], ''Expatica'', December 16, 2005.</ref> In contrast, [[Hamas]] political leader [[Khaled Mashal]] described Ahmadinejad's comments as "courageous" and stated, "Muslim people will defend Iran because it voices what they have in their hearts, in particular the Palestinian people."<ref>Al Jazeera,{{cite web|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/English/archive/archive?ArchiveId=17093|title=Hamas springs to Iran's defense |access-date=August 14, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071206115859/http://english.aljazeera.net/English/archive/archive?ArchiveId=17093 |archive-date=December 6, 2007}}</ref> In the United States, the [[Muslim Public Affairs Council]] condemned Ahmadinejad's remarks.<ref name=mpac>{{cite news|title=MPAC Rebukes Iranian President's Comments|url=http://www.mpac.org/article.php?id=231 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080617083103/http://www.mpac.org/article.php?id=231 |archive-date=June 17, 2008 |access-date=January 31, 2012|date=December 8, 2005}}</ref> In 2005, the Egyptian [[Muslim Brotherhood]] leader, [[Mohammed Mahdi Akef]], denounced what he called "the myth of the Holocaust" in defending Ahmadinejad's denial of the Holocaust.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4554986.stm Egyptian Islamists deny Holocaust] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906201530/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4554986.stm |date=September 6, 2017 }}, December 23, 2005.</ref>

On December 11, 2006, the Iranian state-sponsored "[[International Conference to Review the Global Vision of the Holocaust]]" began to widespread condemnation.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/12/11/iran.holocaust/index.html|title=Iran hosts Holocaust conference|access-date=December 27, 2006|date=December 11, 2006|publisher=CNN|archive-date=February 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190201002703/http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/12/11/iran.holocaust/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The conference, called for and held at the behest of Ahmadinejad,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.adnki.com/index_2Level.php?cat=Politics&loid=8.0.246551760&par=0 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060310075441/http://www.adnki.com/index_2Level.php?cat=Politics&loid=8.0.246551760&par=0|title=Iran: Holocaust Conference Soon in Tehran|date=January 5, 2006 |archive-date=March 10, 2006|publisher=Adnkronos International (AKI) |access-date=August 17, 2020 |url-status=dead}}</ref> was widely described as a "Holocaust denial conference" or a "meeting of Holocaust deniers",<ref>*[http://washingtontimes.com/world/20061213-120143-8384r.htm "Holocaust denial outrages Europe"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061225063527/http://www.washingtontimes.com/world/20061213-120143-8384r.htm |date=December 25, 2006 }}, ''[[The Washington Times]]'', December 13, 2006.
*[http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news/story.html?id=c4b5cf88-207a-487d-b785-b97e119099d8 "Holocaust deniers gather in Iran"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011091846/http://canada.com/edmontonjournal/news/story.html?id=c4b5cf88-207a-487d-b785-b97e119099d8 |date=October 11, 2007 }}, ''[[Edmonton Journal]]'', December 13, 2006.
*[https://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-holocaust13dec13,1,5920414.story?coll=la-headlines-world&ctrack=1&cset=true "Holocaust deniers rebuked"]. ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'', December 13, 2006.
*[https://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20061213.wxholocaustprof13/BNStory/International/home "Canadian prof attends Tehran's gathering of Holocaust deniers"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070121004453/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20061213.wxholocaustprof13/BNStory/International/home |date=January 21, 2007 }}, ''[[The Globe and Mail]]'', December 13, 2006.
*"The conference for Holocaust deniers hosted by Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is a transparent polemical stunt." [https://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/editorials/articles/2006/12/13/irans_great_pretender/ "Iran's great pretender"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303211047/http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/editorials/articles/2006/12/13/irans_great_pretender/ |date=March 3, 2016 }}, ''[[The Boston Globe]]'', December 13, 2006.
*"What's the perfect way to top off a Holocaust denial conference featuring input from the likes of such scholars as former KKK Grand Wizard David Duke?" [https://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-ed-iran13dec13,0,2528243.story?coll=la-opinion-leftrail "Holocaust denial can be dangerous"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070111102008/http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-ed-iran13dec13,0,2528243.story?coll=la-opinion-leftrail |date=January 11, 2007 }}, ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'', December 13, 2006.
*[http://www.zeenews.com/znnew/articles.asp?aid=341711&sid=WOR "Across Europe, outrage over meeting of holocaust deniers"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071223174719/http://www.zeenews.com/znnew/articles.asp?aid=341711&sid=WOR |date=December 23, 2007 }}, ''[[Zee News]]'', December 13, 2006.
*{{usurped|1=[https://archive.today/20061217133330/http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/World/2006/12/12/2769773-cp.html "World reacts with outrage over meeting of Holocaust deniers in Iran"]}}, ''[[Calgary Sun]]'', December 13, 2006.
*[http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/world/4396632.html "Holocaust deniers' meeting spurs outrage"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061219093121/http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/world/4396632.html |date=December 19, 2006 }}, ''[[Houston Chronicle]]'', December 12, 2006.
*[http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/12/12/europe/EU_GEN_Europe_Holocaust_Denial.php "Across Europe, outrage over meeting of Holocaust deniers in Iran"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061214071812/http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/12/12/europe/EU_GEN_Europe_Holocaust_Denial.php |date=December 14, 2006 }}, ''[[International Herald Tribune]]'', December 12, 2006.
*[https://www.theguardian.com/israel/Story/0,,1970042,00.html "Holocaust deniers gather in Iran for 'scientific' conference"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210220161206/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2006/dec/12/iran.israel |date=February 20, 2021 }}, ''[[The Guardian]]'', December 12, 2006.
*[http://news.independent.co.uk/world/middle_east/article2067598.ece "Revisionist fringe gathers for Iran's Holocaust denial jamboree"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070108183925/http://news.independent.co.uk/world/middle_east/article2067598.ece |date=January 8, 2007 }}, ''[[The Independent]]'', December 12, 2006.
*[https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=auGTWx2QrILM&refer=home "Holocaust Denied at Iran Forum to 'Research' Nazis"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100613163056/http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087 |date=June 13, 2010 }}, ''[[Bloomberg Television]]'', December 11, 2006.
*[https://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/11/world/middleeast/11cnd-iran.html "Holocaust Deniers and Skeptics Gather in Iran"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201210055610/https://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/11/world/middleeast/11cnd-iran.html |date=December 10, 2020 }}, ''[[The New York Times]]'', December 11, 2006.
*"Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, speaking at a Tehran conference denying the existence of the Holocaust, said Israel will disappear like the Soviet Union." [http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/view.php?StoryID=20061212-072558-3819r "Iran students rebel over Holocaust denial"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071016065421/http://upi.com/NewsTrack/view.php?StoryID=20061212-072558-3819r |date=October 16, 2007 }}, ''[[United Press International]]'', December 12, 2006.</ref> though Iran denied it was a Holocaust denial conference.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.spiegel.de/international/0,1518,453691,00.html|title=Berlin Counters Holocaust Conference|access-date=December 27, 2006|date=December 11, 2006|work=Der Spiegel|archive-date=April 6, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406141032/https://www.spiegel.de/international/0,1518,453691,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref> A few months before it opened, the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi stated: "The Holocaust is not a sacred issue that one can't touch. I have visited the Nazi camps in Eastern Europe. I think it is exaggerated."<ref>{{Cite news|title=Iran to Host Autumn Conference on Holocaust|agency=Associated Press|url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/iran-to-host-autumn-conference-on-holocaust|date=September 3, 2006 |access-date=September 11, 2006|publisher=Fox News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060930174449/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,212003,00.html |archive-date=September 30, 2006 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2013, in an interview with CNN, newly elected Iranian President [[Hassan Rouhani]] condemned the Holocaust, stating: "I can tell you that any crime that happens in history against humanity, including the crime the Nazis created towards the Jews as well as non-Jews is reprehensible and condemnable. Whatever criminality they committed against the Jews, we condemn."<ref name="Saeed Kamali Dehghan">{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/25/iran-rouhani-recognises-holocaust|title=Iranian president Hassan Rouhani recognises 'reprehensible' Holocaust|author=Saeed Kamali Dehghan|work=The Guardian|date=September 25, 2013|access-date=December 11, 2016|archive-date=May 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190528221855/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/25/iran-rouhani-recognises-holocaust|url-status=live}}</ref> Iranian media later accused CNN of fabricating Rouhani's comments.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jpost.com/Iranian-Threat/News/Report-CNN-fabricated-Rouhani-Holocaust-interview-remarks-327171|title=Iranian press accuses CNN of 'fabricating' Rouhani Holocaust remarks|work=The Jerusalem Post - JPost.com|date=September 26, 2013|access-date=June 30, 2014|archive-date=March 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302203415/https://www.jpost.com/Iranian-Threat/News/Report-CNN-fabricated-Rouhani-Holocaust-interview-remarks-327171|url-status=live}}</ref>

In his official 2013 [[Nowruz]] address, [[Supreme Leader of Iran]] Grand Ayatollah [[Ali Khamenei]] questioned the veracity of the Holocaust, remarking that "The Holocaust is an event whose reality is uncertain and if it has happened, it's uncertain how it has happened."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/khamenei_ir/status/446928689943420928|title=Khamenei.ir|work=Twitter|access-date=March 23, 2014|archive-date=June 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190611091736/https://twitter.com/khamenei_ir/status/446928689943420928|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://backchannel.al-monitor.com/index.php/2014/03/8006/in-iran-new-years-address-khamenei-questions-holocaust/|title=In Iran new year's address, Khamenei questions Holocaust|work=al-monitor.com |access-date=March 23, 2014 |archive-date=March 24, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140324233740/http://backchannel.al-monitor.com/index.php/2014/03/8006/in-iran-new-years-address-khamenei-questions-holocaust/ |url-status=dead}}</ref> This was consistent with Khamenei's previous comments regarding the Holocaust.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/davidblair/100239211/what-does-irans-supreme-leader-really-think-about-the-holocaust/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002100418/http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/davidblair/100239211/what-does-irans-supreme-leader-really-think-about-the-holocaust/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 2, 2013|title=What does Iran's Supreme Leader really think about the Holocaust?|work=News – Telegraph Blogs}}</ref>

In 2015, the House of Cartoon and the Sarcheshmeh Cultural Complex in Iran organized the [[International Holocaust Cartoon Competition|Second International Holocaust Cartoon Competition]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ushmm.org/m/pdfs/Iran-Holocaust-denial-timeline.pdf |title=Timeline: Holocaust Denial and Distortion from Iranian Government and Official Media Resources (1998–2016) |date=September 12, 2016 |website=[[United States Holocaust Memorial Museum]] |access-date=June 9, 2019 |archive-date=March 15, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170315012458/https://www.ushmm.org/m/pdfs/Iran-Holocaust-denial-timeline.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> a competition in which artists were encouraged to submit [[cartoons]] on the theme of Holocaust denial. The winner of the contest will receive $12,000. ''[[Hamshahri]]'', a popular Iranian newspaper, held a [[International Holocaust Cartoon Competition|similar contest]] in 2006.<ref>[http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4621731,00.html "Iran to host Holocaust denial cartoon competition."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180629102634/https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4621731,00.html |date=June 29, 2018 }} ''[[Ynetnews]]''. February 1, 2015. February 1, 2015.</ref>