The Iranian cartoons will be nothing new
Of course, Holocaust cartoons will not be in the slightest funny, but as a believer in freedom of speech, I like the idea of fighting cartoons with cartoons just fine — if that were the only response by Muslims to the cartoons they have found offensive. Note also that Iran is being just a trifle disingenuous by failing to note that venomous hatred has been a common feature of cartoons in papers in Islamic world for quite some time — as you can see here.
From AP, with thanks to Keithjoy:
TEHRAN, Iran – A prominent Iranian newspaper said Tuesday it would hold a competition for cartoons on the Holocaust to test whether the West extends the principle of freedom of expression to the Nazi genocide as it did to the caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad.
Hamshahri, one of Iran’s largest papers, made clear the contest is a reaction to European newspapers’ publication of Danish cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad, which have led to demonstrations, boycotts and attacks on European embassies across the Islamic world. Several people have been killed.
Hundreds of Iranians hurled stones, and sometimes gasoline bombs, at the Danish and Austrian embassies in Tehran in protest against the cartoons Monday. Austria currently holds the European Union presidency.
I can guarantee you right now: no Westerners will be hurling stones or gasoline bombs because of any cartoons Hamshahri will publish.