Holocaust deniers ban dissenting voice (Iran)

[sabra]

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,3-2497895,00.html

Holocaust deniers ban dissenting voice

Arab lawyer kept from Iran hearings
He planned to challenge denials


An outspoken Palestinian lawyer was hoping to challenge Holocaust deniers during a provocative conference that opens in Iran today. The international gathering will question whether six million Jews were actually slaughtered by the Nazis in the Second World War.

But yesterday Khaled Kasab Mahameed learnt from the Iranian Foreign Ministry — which had invited him to speak — that he would not receive a visa. No reason was given.

Mr Mahameed suspects that it was because he has an Israeli passport. It may also have been because he has made clear what he intended to say.

“I’m bitterly disappointed,” Mr Mahameed, who studied at a British university, told The Times. He was seeking a personal audience with Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the Iranian President, to tell him that denials or questioning of “such huge, monstrous horror” harmed the Palestinian cause.

[Eugene]

1. With "friends" like Ahmadinejad, the Palestinians sure don't need enemies.

This is a mixed blessing. This conference is obscene. It is tragic that a
modern government is sponsoring it. And Mahameed is right, Ahmadinejad
hurts the Palestinian cause.

The only bright spot is that Iran has made such a farce of this by inviting
such renowned :puke: "historians" :puke: :puke: as David Duke
that the conference has zero credibility.

[Freddie Stubbs]

3. Ahmadiniwhatever has some interesting friends

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

16. I think it's spelled Ahmadinejad.

One would think that since you're so interested in the guy you would know how to spell his name. He's not the only one with "interesting" friends.

:shrug:

[Igel]

6. Seen from our perspective, you're right.

But there's no end of parsing data and carefully selecting quotes among some groups to justify their cause and beliefs. Confirmation bias knows no national borders or divides between ideologies.

David Duke will be cited as a prominent American, the inference intended to be drawn is that common Americans agree that the Holocaust never occurred, has been blown out of proportion, or at the very least its image unjustly manipulated for racist ends; he will be taken as a politician, the subtext being that he was forced from his rightful place in power by Zionist Jews that dominate Congress and pull the president's puppet-strings.

There's no end of citing often obscure American scholars from last year or last century as to how wonderful and wholesome Islam is. The Western name bolsters the argument, and the obscure scholars are always 'prominent'.

It is not Americans that this conference is held; its for the masses of anti-Zionist Jew-haters in the Muslim world, those that hear sermons that the Jews are the descendents of apes and pigs, that they are the source of all the corruption in the world (perhaps in conjunction with th US).

For those people, David Duke and the Neturei karta boobs are prime examples that those that engage in 'critical thinking' side with racists.

[The Magistrate]

2. If Any Question Remained, Sir

This establishes beyond peradventure that the purpose of this conference is to circulate the standard claims of apologists and other supporters of the Nazi regime in this question.

There are now no legitimate grounds whatever to defend Almadinijah on the question of Holocaust denial and Anti-Semitism: even the plea of "mis-translation" can no longer be viewed as legitimate.

[cali]

4. There's been little doubt about

Ahmadinejad's Holocaust denial and anti-semitism for some time. This farce of a conference will no doubt be overlooked by those who prefer to keep on denying the ugly truth about Ahmadinejad.

[The Magistrate]

5. Just Laying Down A Marker, Ma'am

Giving the benefit of doubt, after all, cannot be a permanent posture....

[David__77]

12. Maybe...

But I do not believe that Iran recognizes Israeli visas, so that issue shouldn't be dismissed. That said, Iran should immediately make an exception for this academic now that the case has come to light. If it does not, then you are correct.

[geek tragedy]

13. Anyone who invites David Duke to a Holocaust

conference isn't interested in the truth.

The only people willing to defend Ahmadinejad are bigoted PInheads.

[David__77]

14. I'm certainly not defending him.

Any more than I'd defend Bush. Clearly he is a racist reactionary without merit. He does nothing to further the legitimate aspirations of anyone, anywhere.

[geek tragedy]

15. Amen. He's Borat without the charm. eom

[endarkenment]

7. Well they would have to do that.

Any attempt at a critical evaluation of the evidence would quickly lead to the conclusion that of course the holocaust happened.

[zreosumgame]

8. this must really toast israel's shorts :)

a Palestinian lawyer challenging Holocaust deniers? But they keep say that Palestinians are eeeee-vil and need to be wiped out...


:hangover:

[geek tragedy]

9. I thought he was an Israeli Arab? eom

[sabra]

10. who is "they"? Additionally he is an Israeli, as he has an Israeli passport...

[Name removed]

11. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.