Iran’s Green Movement and Academics Condemns Anti-Semitic rant by Iran’s Vice-President
We the undersigned, categorically condemn the speech of Mr. Mohammad Reza Rahimi, Iran’s vice president in the UN-sponsored international anti-drug conference in Tehran on June 26, 2012. These baseless allegations that include the responsibility of the book of Talmud for today’s international illegal drug trade and genocide are historically inaccurate, morally reprehensible, and politically contrary to the interests of the nation and government of Iran. It is shameful that these individuals persistently ignore their duties to the people of Iran and become conduits of propagating tired conspiracy theories emanating from idiotic minds. Such allegations are certain to add to the risk of crippling embargos and to increase the threat of military attack on Iran. The overwhelming majority of the Iranian people, by their widespread and globally witnessed protests against the stolen elections of 2009 have made it clear that they do not recognize the present government of Iran and its functionaries as their representatives on the international arena.
Ardeshir Amir Arjomand, Professor, Shaid Beheshti University
Hamid Dabashi, Professor, Columbia University
Nader Hashemi, Assistant Professor, Denver University
Mohsen Kadivar, Visiting Professor, Duke University
Ali Mirsepasi, Professor, New York University
Mansoor Moaddel, Professor, University of Michigan
Ahmad Sadri, Professor, Lake Forest College
Mahmoud Sadri, Professor, Texas Woman’s University