Fact Check: Holocaust denial is a form of anti-Semitism.

Fact Check: "Holocaust denial is a form of anti-Semitism."

What We Know

Holocaust denial refers to the discourse and propaganda that denies the historical reality and extent of the extermination of Jews by the Nazis during World War II. According to the U.S. Department of State, Holocaust denial is characterized by attempts to claim that the Holocaust did not occur, including questioning the use of gas chambers and the intentionality behind the genocide. This form of denial is explicitly recognized as an expression of antisemitism, as it seeks to exonerate National Socialism and antisemitism from responsibility for the genocide of the Jewish people (source-1).

The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) has also adopted a working definition that states Holocaust denial and distortion must be challenged and denounced. The definition emphasizes that such denial is closely linked to antisemitic ideologies, including blaming Jews for exaggerating or fabricating the Holocaust for political or financial gain (source-5).

Analysis

The claim that Holocaust denial is a form of antisemitism is supported by multiple credible sources. The U.S. Department of State, as part of its commitment to combating antisemitism, has integrated the understanding that Holocaust denial is not merely a historical revisionism but a manifestation of antisemitic beliefs (source-1). Furthermore, the IHRA's working definition explicitly states that Holocaust denial is an effort to rehabilitate antisemitism and promote ideologies that could lead to similar atrocities (source-5).

Additionally, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum corroborates this view, stating that Holocaust denial is an attempt to negate the established facts of the Nazi genocide and is thus a form of antisemitism. This perspective is echoed by various scholarly articles and institutions dedicated to the study of antisemitism, which argue that the motivations behind Holocaust denial are rooted in antisemitic ideologies (source-6, source-7).

While some might argue that Holocaust denial stems from historical skepticism or revisionism, the overwhelming consensus among historians and scholars is that such denial is fundamentally antisemitic in nature. It often aims to delegitimize Jewish suffering and perpetuate harmful stereotypes about Jews (source-4).

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that "Holocaust denial is a form of anti-Semitism" is substantiated by credible sources, including definitions provided by the U.S. Department of State and the IHRA. Both organizations recognize that Holocaust denial not only distorts historical facts but also serves to perpetuate antisemitic ideologies. The evidence indicates that Holocaust denial is intrinsically linked to attempts to absolve perpetrators of their crimes and to promote harmful narratives about Jewish people.

Fact Check: Holocaust denial is a form of anti-Semitism.