UN Set to Battle Holocaust Denial
Thursday is shaping up to be an important day for Jewish people. The United Nations General Assembly “is set to adopt a resolution calling for action to combat Holocaust denial and distortion as anti-Semitism continues to surge globally” (The Jerusalem Post). Israeli Ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan has spearheaded the resolution, and Israel’s Foreign Ministry is working to promote it worldwide. The vote will take place tomorrow, January 20, the 80th anniversary of the Wannsee Conference in which Adolf Hitler and other Nazi officials designed “The Final Solution,” created to eliminate the Jewish people.
This is an exciting development that we certainly hope will point out the ridiculousness of denying the Holocaust. Examples of what actions might result from this proposal are limited to taking “active measures to combat anti-Semitism and Holocaust denial” through “information and communication technologies” and to facilitate the “reporting of such content.” Though these details are vague, the resolution is a helpful move that should get the ball rolling in the ongoing battle against anti-Semitism. It’s encouraging for a second reason: So far, only one Israeli-backed resolution has ever been passed. In 2005 a resolution led to the establishment of Holocaust Memorial Day, annually observed on January 27. Seeing Israel receive some overdue support in the United Nations is a measure of victory, which, like this resolution, we hope will continue to pick up steam and produce permanent change and support for Israel and the Jewish people.
