Iran launches Holocaust denial cartoon contest

[happyslug]

17. We are talking about Iran, not the US ally the House of Saud.

Remember all US allies are perfect democracies, even when they are not. Nations that oppose the US are evil Dictatorship, even if they have democratic institutions. Thus Iran which has contested elections, is a "Dictatorship" even as its replaces its Presidents (and, Yes, Iran has a "Supreme Leader" he can also be replaced through the method is a little harder. On the other hand the "Supreme leader" has no authority on day to day running of Government, his job is to provide an overall guidance to the country.

As to the "Protocols of Zion", while available in Iran, does NOT seems to be something the Iran Government ACTIVELY support. Statements that the Protocols are forgeries are also avalible in Iran:

In April 2004, the Iranian television station Al-Alam broadcast Al-Sameri wa Al-Saher, a series that reported as fact several conspiracy theories about the Holocaust, Jewish control of Hollywood, and the Protocols.[15] The Iran Pavilion of the 2005 Frankfurt Book Fair had the Protocols, as well as The International Jew available.[16] In 2008 The Secret of Armageddon, an Iranian TV "documentary" claiming that "a Jewish Plan for the Genocide of Humanity," includes a conspiracy for the takeover of Iran by local Jewish and Bahá'í communities was based on the Protocols.[17]

On the other hand, Iranian author Abdollah Shahbazi, known for his historical reports of several important events of Iran's history, has denied the authenticity of the Protocols officially on his website and has referred to several international investigations as the basis of his claim.[18]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contemporary_imprints_of_The_Protocols_of_the_Elders_of_Zion#Iran

On the other hand The protocols are taught in Schools in Saudi Arabia:

According to Freedom House 2006 report, Saudi "textbook for boys for Tenth Grade on Hadith and Islamic Culture contains a lesson on the "Zionist Movement." It is a curious blend of wild conspiracy theories about Masonic Lodges, Rotary Clubs, and Lions Clubs with antisemitic invective. It asserts that the Protocols of the Elders of Zion is an authentic document and teaches students that it reveals what Jews really believe. It blames many of the world's wars and discord on the Jews."[20]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contemporary_imprints_of_The_Protocols_of_the_Elders_of_Zion#Saudi_Arabia

http://web.archive.org/web/20060823125127/http://www.freedomhouse.org/religion/pdfdocs/KSAtextbooks06.pdf

Yes, it is permitted to say the Protocols are forgeries in Iran, but NOT in Saudi Arabia.