(Communicated by the Knesset Spokesperson)

In a letter addressed to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Knesset Speaker Yuli-Yoel Edelstein expressed Israel's outrage over Iran's intent to hold the International Holocaust Cartoon Contest for the third time in recent years.

"There are no words strong enough to describe the contempt and profound disdain of the State of Israel, of the Israeli people and many others the world over, for Iran's insistent Holocaust denial, continued under Rouhani's regime despite its false façade of tolerance toward the Iranian as well as World Jewry," Edelstein said in the letter, sent Wednesday morning.

"The current President of Iran does not differ from his notorious predecessor, Ahmadinejad, and like him does not even attempt to conceal Iran's intent to eliminate the State of Israel. Iran's resumed development of nuclear capabilities that will allow it to fulfill this threat is further proof of their ultimate goal."

Edelstein further wrote to Secretary-General Ban that "not only does a member state of the UN consistently and overtly threaten to destroy another member state, it does so merely 70 years after the dreadful Holocaust of the Jewish people, during which we lost a third of our number to the murderous Nazi machine. Moreover, Iran spares no effort in supporting terrorism across the globe, particularly in the Middle East, in order to plunge the world into chaos in the name of the Shiite Revolution."

"As the head of an organization that in 2005 adopted the brave resolution to establish January 27th as the International Holocaust Remembrance Day, I ask that you exert your moral authority through public condemnation of the Iranian policy by addressing this matter directly with Iran as well," the Knesset speaker wrote.

Speaker Edelstein also sent a letter to all Knesset members urging a consolidated effort on social media ahead of Holocaust Remembrance Day in order to "express Israel's disgust" for the cartoon contest in Iran and other displays of anti-Semitism around the world. He asked the Israeli lawmakers to post on the social networks photos from the Holocaust with the caption "My Holocaust memory" and add a brief description of what Holocaust Remembrance Day means to them.

Speaker Edelstein also instructed the relevant departments in the Knesset to organize an exhibition of photos and posters relating to the commemoration of the Holocaust. The exhibit will be launched at the Knesset on Holocaust Remembrance Day.

"The days of 'The Protocols of the Elders of Zion' and 'Der Stürmer' are over," Edelstein said in the letter to the MKs. "The Jewish nation and its leadership must launch a counterattack to eliminate the bag of lies. We mustn't remain silent amid the growing anti-Semitism and the hateful and venomous attitude towards the Jewish people. These days were are fighting back will all the publicity, diplomatic and parliamentary tools at our disposal in order to make it clear that we will not ignore nor accept racist and despicable incitement."


The Secretary-General replied on 20 January 2016:

"I would like to thank you for your letter dated 13 January 2016 regarding the 11th Tehran International Cartoon Biennial, to be held in Iran this coming June. Please rest assured that I share your concern over the nature of this event, finding the news of yet another contest connected to Holocaust denial very worrisome. I regret to see the promotion of such events in Tehran.

I have raised, and will continue to raise this issue, both in public remarks and in my bilateral meetings with Iranian officials, including in my upcoming speech on 27 January 2016 on the occasion of the International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust. That Day will provide another opportunity to stand united against unspeakable atrocities, hatred and intolerance."