The representative called. Claudia Tenney (R-NY), along with other Republican lawmakers, wants billionaire Elon Musk to return Twitter as a platform that “protects and supports” freedom of expression while respecting US laws that prohibit providing services and support to US-appointed officials. and the Iranian group, the largest state sponsor of terrorism in the world.
In a letter to the prospective owner of social media giant Twitter, Republican Congressman Claudia Tenney from New York and several other lawmakers urged the Tesla CEO to comply with US law by blocking certain Iranian individuals and organizations from using Twitter. to reach your goals.
The letter begins by acknowledging that the Iranian regime is currently using Twitter “to disrupt free society and threaten violence”, while describing Musk’s recent takeover of Twitter as the platform’s “opportunity for radical change.”
“This is an opportunity for you to bring the platform back so it can once again defend, value and promote freedom of expression,” the letter said. “It is also an opportunity for you to address longstanding concerns about the platform providing digital services to sanctioned entities such as those linked to the Islamic Republic of Iran, which is responsible, among other things, for the killing of American citizens. ”
He said it was deemed “unacceptable” for US-listed Iranian entities to freely use Twitter “despite US laws and regulations that prohibit the provision of products and services to them”. by law.” The United States prohibits the provision of services to US-listed entities.”
The letter highlights that Twitter has provided Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader of the Islamist theocracy, with accounts used “to further the foreign policy objectives of the Islamic Republic,” designated as a state sponsor of terrorism.
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, delivered a televised speech on Friday, circulating a photo provided by his office.
“Hamenei specifically used the platform to threaten violence, call for the destruction of the State of Israel and the Jews, and promote conspiracy theories and disinformation,” the letter said.
“He tweeted glorifying anti-Jewish terrorist groups, especially Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad… [and] Lawmakers said they glorified dead anti-Semitic leaders of US-recognized terrorist groups, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Kataib Hezbollah, Hamas, Hezbollah and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
The letter continues by emphasizing the value of freedom of expression and the signatories’ opposition to any “arbitrary or political censorship” of the platform.
“Let’s be clear: we defend freedom of expression and do not support arbitrary or political censorship of social media. Freedom of expression and the free flow of information on platforms like Twitter are key to maintaining a healthy democracy at home and abroad, and we sincerely hope that your acquisition of Twitter will break new ground in this regard.
However, the letter continues, such rights must be distinguished from the “significantly different” issue of assisting designated terrorists, which is not covered by freedom of expression, but is required to provide a service provided by a U.S. company and provide designated benefits. and associated terrorists. ” and legal entities.
“We believe the answer is a resounding no, so we encourage you to look further into this matter and take steps to comply with US law,” he said.
Lawmakers later called for US law to be complied with, stating that the designation of the Iranian regime as a sponsor of state terrorism was not “arbitrary or political”, but was based on well-documented information and evidence and was only confirmed after extensive multi-agency review. some federal agencies.
“Allowing designated individuals and organizations to continue to use Twitter to incite violence against U.S. officials and citizens, to call for the destruction of the Jewish state and its people, and to support the proxies of terrorism is only Twitter’s long-standing policy, but most importantly the U.S. law. ” is the end of the letter.
Letter with full text visible hereIt was also signed by Republican Representatives Elise Stefanik (New York), Jim Banks (Indiana), Ken Buck (Colorado), Brian Fitzpatrick (Pennsylvania), Brian Mast (Florida), Jefferson Van Drew (New Jersey), Ronnie Jackson (Texas). and Barry Moore (AL).
In an exclusive statement to Breitbart News, Rep. “While freedom of expression and free flow of information on platforms like Twitter are key to maintaining a healthy democracy at home and abroad, the Iranian regime is using this platform to destroy democracy and the threat of violence,” Tenney said. it has been called a state that supports terrorism and why many of its officials are on the list of specially designated citizens. ”
He also described it as a “privilege” to direct colleagues to efforts to “enforce the law and protect freedom of expression”.
Speaking to Breitbart News, House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik (R-NY), who also spearheaded the letter, highlighted the hypocrisy of Twitter’s current policy.
“Even though Twitter blocked Donald Trump, dangerous Iranian officials punished by the US for national security reasons can still spread messages of anti-Semitic hatred and violence on the platform.”
“I urge him to pay attention to the destructive presence of the Iranian terrorist regime on social media,” he said.
Executive Director Iranian Americans for Freedom Brian E. Leib also supported the calls.
“We join these lawmakers in calling on Twitter to stop helping and inciting Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other regime officials,” he said.
Describing it as an “open and closed case,” Leib said the social media company should be held accountable for failing to comply with US law.
“We applaud the President. At the beginning of this letter, Claudia Tenney and Rep. Eliza Stefanik, Chair of the House Republican Conference, are the most contributing people,” he said.
“Both of these representatives, along with their fellow signers, urged the soon-to-be owner of Twitter, Elon Musk, to comply with US laws that prohibit American and American companies from providing services or providing financial support to terrorists or organizations.” added.
Iran, the largest state sponsor of terrorism in the world, has long supported anti-Semitic, anti-Zionist and anti-American propaganda in which Iranian leaders deny the Holocaust or threaten Jewish existence.
An Iranian official last month seen He lectured on public television to foreign students questioning the Holocaust, claiming that Hitler was Jewish and accusing Israel of sexually abusing Arab children and harvesting organs for wealthy “Westerners” and “Jewish Zionists.”
In January, a video clip titled “Cut Revenge” was released. threatening About the assassination of former President Donald Trump in retaliation for the assassination of Iranian General Qasim Soleimani, it was featured on the official website of the Supreme Leader of Iran.
Iranian animation posted on Khamenei’s website describes Donald Trump’s targeted assassination in Mar-A-Lago: ‘Revenge is inevitable’ #Iranian #Magkatakata #hamaney pic.twitter.com/pBYoZrYBgx
– MEMRI (@MEMRReports) January 13, 2022
Last year, the Simon Wiesenthal Center was released report He placed Iran at the top of the annual “Ten Global Anti-Semitism” list.
In September, Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi, spokesman for the Iranian armed forces, approved He said the United States is the main enemy of the Republic of Iran, emphasizing his country’s commitment to the elimination of the Jewish state.
However, the ongoing nuclear negotiations in Vienna could result in the easing of economic sanctions against Iran by the US and other world powers in exchange for temporary restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program.
President Joe Biden’s close agreement to return the Iran nuclear deal, according to a former State Department official Suggestions the regime’s access to $90 billion in foreign exchange reserves and the lifting of sanctions against some of the world’s most notorious terrorists.
They can be used for terrorism and aggression as well as providing hundreds of billions of dollars. Nor will the agreement prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
In March, Russia’s representative in nuclear talks with Iran accepted Tehran “got more than expected” in the latest iteration of the nuclear deal.
Last week Rep. Ilhan Omer (D-MN) sound Support for the immediate completion of a deal with Iran that he says will prevent a conflict in the Middle East.
Source: Breitbart
