New York, NY, December 14, 2006 … The Iranian regime's just-concluded Holocaust denial conference -- in which a rogue's gallery of the world's leading Holocaust deniers, anti-Semites and racists took part -- was an attempt by Tehran to position itself as "the new nexus for Holocaust denial in the Muslim world."

According to a report from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), the participation of racists such as David Duke, former Imperial Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan and other notorious Western anti-Semites shows that Iran is intent both on embracing the hateful ideology of Holocaust denial, and giving credibility to the deniers themselves.

"It is beyond words how grotesque and how offensive that a nation-state would in the 21st century send an invitation to all of the bigots, racists and anti-Semites of the world to gather for a conference where the sole aim is to incite hatred against Jews" said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director and a Holocaust survivor. 

"In the same way that Tehran has made no secret of its nuclear ambitions, Iran is sending signals that it aims to position itself as the new nexus for Holocaust denial in the Muslim world.  And this is happening in a neighborhood that not only lends it support, but gives aid and comfort to Holocaust deniers and anti-Semites."

The conference, "Review of the Holocaust: Global Vision," held December 11-12 in Tehran follows on a series of public statements by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad denying the extent of the Holocaust and a cartoon "contest" sponsored by the Iranian regime, which handed out cash prizes to cartoonists mocking Israel and the Holocaust.

In a new report, ADL lists conference participants and details their views and pseudo-scholarship on the Holocaust.  The report notes that Mr. Ahmadinejad "believes that if he can prove that the Holocaust is an historical fiction, then not only will Israel's legitimacy disappear, but it will be revealed that Jews are frauds and imposters who tricked the world into giving them a state they did not 'deserve.'" 

The League's Web site also features a number of resources and additional information on Holocaust deniers and many of the racists and anti-Semites involved in the Iranian conference.

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.