By Katrina Lantos-Swett - - Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Heretic. Rabble-rouser. Criminal. These words have been used and abused to describe many remarkable figures throughout history. Voltaire, when he used his unparalleled pen to demand that the clerical hierarchy of his day truly evaluate itself. Martin Luther, when he set out to reform a faith that he had dedicated his life to. And Martin Luther King Jr., when he issued a prophetic call to his country to fully respect the rights of all of its citizens.

Next month, the Lantos Foundation will proudly honor three courageous women of Muslim heritage who have chosen to make history, joining the ranks of those whom time has vindicated as righteous and brave agents of change. Rebiya Kadeer, Irshad Manji and Ayaan Hirsi Ali are all cut from the same cloth as these towering figures of an earlier time. They, too, have been vilified, but we strongly believe these women will go down in history as bold leaders, audacious reformers and righteous rebels. As has been widely observed, well-behaved women seldom make history.

Since our founding the Lantos Foundation for Human Rights and Justice has been an active voice in combating the twin scourges of anti-Semitism and Holocaust denial. In 2009 we joined forces with MEMRI to establish the Lantos Archives on Anti-Semitism and Holocaust denial and this continues to be a key focus of our ongoing human rights work.

We were deeply disturbed to read the outrageous statements made by Ezz El-Arab denying the Holocaust in a recent Washington Times article (see link to this article below). We are particularly outraged that he made his despicable claims on the sidelines of a conference co-hosted by two distinguished institutions, the International Centre for Democratic Transition (ICDT) and the newly established Tom Lantos Institute (TLI). Mr. El-Arab’s deplorable tirade underscores the need for ongoing vigilance in every corner of the world particularly among the emerging leadership of the Arab Spring.

We wish to commend the ICDT and the TLI for their very strong statement denouncing Ezz-El-Arab’s despicable and ignorant comments.

Washington Times Article

Washington Times: Well-behaved women seldom make history, Three outspoken Muslims are honored for their courage

Ezz El-Arab's Recent Remarks Denying the Holocaust Underscore the Need to be Vigilant in Combating the Twin Scourges of Anti Semitism and Holocaust Denial