Today is the 62nd anniversary of the liberation of the deathcamp of Auschwitz-Birkenau by the Russian army.
I have been following with interest the Dairies that attempt to rationalize Holocaust denial with an implicit intent to engender hatred and/or confusion. (Mostly Trolls) This explicit antisemitism is evident in its clear implication that the Holocaust is an invention of Jews or their agents. Jews are thus depicted as manipulative and powerful conspiratorswho have fabricated myths of their own suffering for their own ends. According to the Holocaust deniers, by forging evidence and mounting a massive propaganda effort, the Jews have established their lies as ‘truth’ and reaped enormous rewards from doing so.
This Diary will confine itself to this denial and a discussion of the impact on all us who uphold the documented reality of the Holocaust.
What is Holocaust denial?
Holocaust denial can be traced to two distinct groups which generally include various factions of the far right and certain Islamist extremists.
Neo-Nazi extremism is at the core of a wider racist and xenophobic attack to diminish and minimize the Holocaust in an attempt to resurrect Fascism and Neo-Nazi ideology against religious,cultural, ethnic and racial groups of people around the world. One of the great catalysts of this resurgence in America is immigration and xenophobia.
To gain political or academic respectability and acceptance, these groups engage in explicitly overt and implicit covert activities of minimization of the "numbers", to outright denial of the Holocaust to reframe the Nazi's greatest crime...the Holocaust of six million Jews. A crime that is indefensible.
For extreme Islamists, on the other hand, Holocaust denial is used to further the campaign against Israel, for
‘to negate the destruction of European Jewry is to remove one of the moral planks on which the foundations of the state of Israel was built; that is, the provision of a refuge for the survivors.’ (of the holocaust)
"Germans, defend yourselves, do not buy from Jews," at the Jewish Tietz store." Berlin. New YorK Times Paris Bureau Collection.Credit: National Archives and Records Administration
Holocaust denial is antisemitic not only because of the negative image of the Jew it implicitly depicts, but also because of its direct impact upon the feelings of the Jewish people: it produces unmeasurable offense, fear and anger, and can cause those who are directly targeted by the material to feel fearful and intimidated. Holocaust denial is not offensive to Jews and members of other groups that were victims of Nazi crimes; it is offensive to all who are informed about the facts of the Holocaust. But there is an inherent antisemitism in Holocaust denial, although it may not necessarily be obvious or immediately apparent.
Meaningful discussions into the related I/P conflict are rendered futile by a misunderstanding of the Holocaust or it's denial. No real communication or dialog can address this issue without first confronting the Holocaust. The insistence of "never again" by Jewish organizations worldwide is a powerful historical message of meaningful engagement based on the reality of the Holocaust. Currently, an interesting debate is bubbling in equating Zionism with Apartheid. I hope that interested parties are prepared to reframe Zionism as a desire for State recognition in the face of annihilation and genocide (not an irrational fear for Jews) and Apartheid as State recognition for Palestians in the face of a segregated and displaced populace. This is the secondary foundation of the common ground that both sides share. This is where they should diplomatically negotiate. As simplistic as it sounds, oftentimes the truth is simple, even for complex situations.The fear of displacement is as powerful for Jews as it is for Palestinians.
One of the ironic base arguments that is consistentlyly proposed by denialists is Freedom of Speech. The logic is quirkily reminiscent of arsonists protesting to explain their pathology by the reasonable open discussion of incendiary devices. Couched in quasi-academic postulating they insist that the Holocaust is up for review by way of "Free Speech".
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
However many EU countries and U.S. State legislatures have adopted Hate Speech restrictions through the efforts of Human Rights conventions sponsored by the U.N.
International and European law on free speech and racial hatred
UN International Convention on Civil and Political Rights (1966)
Article 19
1 Everyone shall have the right to hold opinions without interference.
2 Everyone shall have the right to freedom of expression; this right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of his choice.
3 The exercise of the rights provided for in paragraph 2 of this article carries with it special duties and responsibilities. It may therefore be subject to certain restrictions, but these shall only be such as are provided by law and are necessary:
(a) For respect of the rights or reputations of others; (libel/slander)
(b) For the protection of national security or of public order, or of public health or for morals.
Article 20
1 Any propaganda for war shall be prohibited by law.
2 Any advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence shall be prohibited by law.
.
László Karsai Ph.D.photo collection As cited by The Holocaust History Project.
The term ‘hate speech’ is understood to cover words, written material and behavior which attacks the dignity of its victims and contravenes their right to live free of discrimination.
Laws against hate speech should be consistent with America's obligations under international law and the bill of rights. It should take account of the changing nature of human rights protection in the United States. The expansion of human rights through women's suffrage and civil rights legislation as defined by the constitution through legislative and judicial review; is one of the concerns of human rights organizations throughout the world. Hate Speech guised as free speech is equally as insulting as a passive form of implicit ethnic discrimination. The recent ethnic cleansing of Bosnia,Rwanda and Darfur fall into the category of hate speech turned to action.
Hate speech laws should be coherent and complete, and should be capable of commanding support across the spectrum of mainstream political opinions.
The cliches of hate speech are often directed towards women and children.
Many are the first victims of it's violent stirrings. Maybe you've heard, "Breeding like coakroaches" as a common description of racially targeted ethnic groups. Many of these people think they are entitled to such constitutionally protected "jokes".
It is one of those things that is easily said.
"The Jewish people are being exterminated,"
every Party member will tell you,
"perfectly clear, it's part of our plans,
we're eliminating the Jews, exterminating them,
a small matter."
Heinrich Himmler, 1943 László Karsai Ph.D.As cited by The Holocaust History Project.
Source: Heinrich Himmler, speech of October 4th, 1943. László Karsai Ph.D.photo collection As cited by The Holocaust History Project.Placard against Jewish lawyers and doctors.
The Nuremberg trialsdocumented the realities of the Holocaust with the testimony of victims, soldiers, civilians, Nazi Party members and forensic investigations then and now. The evidence is in, the case has been adjudicated.Consequently, the continued education and commemoration of credible Human Rights organizations and survivor networks of testimonials, offer an opportunity for information and continued research into one of the great human tragedies of the 20th century.
Remember, denial of the Holocaust is considered hate speech in many countries. It has wrapped itself in the honor of free speech yet it should be exposed for what it is.
The greastest tribute to the past is to celebrate the future with a constant reminder of the history of the Six Million. The responses to Holocaust denial—by the law, educational establishments, and community organizations—must be informed and vigorous, and should build on and contribute to the wider endeavors of anti-racist campaigning and education.
We as a community should embrace compassion and caution when addressing the sensibilites of the Jewish and Israeli communities when equal concern for the Palestians is expressed. Harsh language and antagonism only enflame the impassioned sensibilties of peoples oppressed. Only the thoughtful diplomacy of cooperation and non-violence will bring about the desired results of progress, understanding and justice.