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Holocaust denial is the outright rejection of historical facts about the Holocaust, including the extermination of six million Jews by the Nazi regime during World War II. Deniers often claim that gas chambers didn’t exist, that the number of deaths is exaggerated, or that the Holocaust is a fabrication. 

Holocaust distortion, on the other hand, involves manipulating or misrepresenting facts. Distortion may downplay the number of victims, shift blame away from the Nazis, or falsely equate the Holocaust with other historical events to minimize its significance. 

Both denial and distortion serve to rewrite history, undermine truth, and often fuel antisemitism and hate. These tactics disregard overwhelming evidence, such as Nazi records, survivor testimonies, and physical remains of concentration camps. Understanding and identifying these harmful practices is crucial to preserving historical integrity and combating misinformation.

• The guide for teachers outlines key concepts, teaching methods, and approaches to counter Holocaust denial and distortion, in partnership with the Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research. It is aimed primarily at history and social sciences teachers.
• From analyzing survivor testimonies to deconstructing harmful memes and conspiracy theories, the resource features 12 adaptable lessons that focus on historical literacy, media analysis, and social-emotional competencies, funded by the European Commission.

Social media platforms have become a significant avenue for the spread of Holocaust denial and distortion. Algorithms often amplify sensationalist or controversial content, giving denial narratives undue visibility. These platforms also allow groups to connect and spread misinformation to a global audience. A  (2022) found that memes and “humour” are used to distort facts and desensitize users to harmful ideas. Content on the Holocaust that denies or distorts the facts , which had resisted calls to moderate content. 

Addressing this issue requires a multi-pronged approach. The UNESCO guide Countering Holocaust denial and distortion: a guide for teachers provides guidance to enhance digital media literacy programs, teaching young people how to identify and reject misleading content. 

Holocaust denial and distortion often stem from antisemitism, the conspiracy myth that Jews are exaggerating or fabricating the Holocaust to gain power or sympathy. Denial and distortion are used to sanitize Nazi ideology and promote white supremacy. In some cases, Holocaust distortion serves political agendas, such as downplaying local complicity in Nazi atrocities to maintain national pride. Holocaust distortion can also arise from ignorance or misguided attempts to relativize history by equating the Holocaust with other events, diluting its significance. 

These actions aim to undermine Jewish identity, erase history, and perpetuate hate. Understanding these motivations is key to dismantling denial and distortion, as it reveals the prejudices and political aims behind the misinformation.

Teachers play a vital role in countering Holocaust denial and distortion by promoting factual understanding and critical thinking. Teachers can allow learners to become historians-in-training by using evidence-based materials, such as survivor testimonies, photographs, Nazi records, and visits to museums or memorials. By applying these same skills to media found on social platforms, teachers can encourage learners to critically evaluate sources and information, and help them recognize misinformation and manipulated narratives. 

The UNESCO guide and lesson activities provide strategies for teachers to address Holocaust denial and distortion directly by explaining its roots, strategies of communication, and the motivations behind it to build awareness and resilience. Studying the stories of victims, can foster empathy and a personal connection to history and emphasizes the importance of historical truth in combating hate and fostering justice.

Holocaust denial and distortion deeply hurt survivors and their descendants by invalidating their suffering and erasing the memory of murdered loved ones. These tactics retraumatize individuals who endured unimaginable horrors and fuel antisemitism, creating a hostile environment for Jewish communities. 

It affects whole societies by undermining the lessons of the Holocaust, weakening efforts to combat hate and prevent future atrocities. It erodes trust in the concepts of truth and knowledge, allowing harmful ideologies to resurface.