Bob Krist / Getty Images The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) passed a resolution sponsored by Israel on January 20 denouncing Holocaust denial.
The resolution defined Holocaust denial in part as “intentional efforts to excuse or minimize the impact of the Holocaust or its principal elements” and urged UN members to rebuff “any denial or distortion of the Holocaust as a historical event.” The resolution also calls on countries to adopt “educational programmes that will inculcate future generations with the lessons of the Holocaust to prevent further acts of genocide,” suggesting the use of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism. Additionally, the resolution urges social media companies to curb the spread of antisemitism and Holocaust denial on their platforms.
The resolution was co-sponsored by 114 countries; Iran was the only country to oppose it. Iran was not eligible to vote on the resolution because they did not pay their UN dues, according to The Times of Israel.
“This is a huge victory over Holocaust deniers like Iran & its leaders for Jews, for Israel, & for our ancestors!” Israeli Ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan tweeted. “I will always protect the memory of the Holocaust & fight antisemitism.”
History! Our res. against Holocaust denial passed unanimously in the @UN General Assembly. This is a huge victory over Holocaust deniers like Iran & its leaders for Jews, for Israel, & for our ancestors! I will always protect the memory of the Holocaust & fight antisemitism. pic.twitter.com/bD8iNtOrEW
— Ambassador Gilad Erdan גלעד ארדן (@giladerdan1) January 20, 2022
Jewish groups also lauded the passage of the resolution. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) tweeted that the resolution was “an important declaration against Holocaust denial & distortion” and noted that it was passed on it was “passed on the 80th anniversary of the infamous Nazi Wannsee laying out the Final Solution.”
We applaud the UNGA for passing this important resolution targeting Holocaust denial. Passed on the 80th anniversary of the infamous Nazi Wannsee laying out the Final Solution, it's an important declaration against Holocaust denial & distortion. https://t.co/Oh86ASsk8r
— ADL (@ADL) January 20, 2022
Simon Wiesenthal Center Associate Dean and Global Social Action Director Rabbi Abraham Cooper and UN Relations and Strategic Partnership Director Rabbi Eric Greenberg similarly said in a statement, “We hail the passage of this historic resolution, which sends a strong and unambiguous message condemning the growing scourge of Holocaust denial and distortion online and by certain governments like Iran – the only country to oppose the resolution. Denying and distorting the Holocaust is anti-Semitism.”
They added that it’s “particularly fitting” that it was passed on the 80th anniversary of Wannsee, calling the resolution “a significant contribution to keeping the memories of Holocaust victims alive.”
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Director Sara J. Bloomfield said in a statement that the resolution “is especially important as violent antisemitism is on the rise. History shows us that mass communications and the propaganda they facilitate have the potential for good or ill. Social media can reach billions in seconds and enable communities of hate to develop. Hitler once said, ‘Propaganda is a truly terrible weapon in the hands of an expert.’ With social media, anyone can be an expert. The UN resolution is an important step, but addressing antisemitism will require efforts from governments, companies, organizations, and individuals worldwide, and we hope this resolution will spark further action.”
The American Jewish Committee tweeted that they “appreciate the world body sending this strong message of support to Jewish communities across the globe.”
🚨BREAKING🚨
The @UN just adopted by consensus Israel’s resolution to strengthen Holocaust remembrance and combat its denial.
We appreciate the world body sending this strong message of support to Jewish communities across the globe. pic.twitter.com/VUpeI9vNbe
— American Jewish Committee (@AJCGlobal) January 20, 2022
UN Watch Executive Director Hillel Neuer tweeted that while the passage of the resolution is good, “the U.N. must also end its demonization of Israel, which is targeted by more resolutions than Iran, Syria & North Korea put together. This is a major contributor to the hatred of Jews worldwide.”
Good: the U.N. today is expected to adopt this resolution against Holocaust denial.
The U.N. must also end its demonization of Israel, which is targeted by more resolutions than Iran, Syria & North Korea put together. This is a major contributor to the hatred of Jews worldwide. https://t.co/3FnVAGGbe4
— Hillel Neuer (@HillelNeuer) January 20, 2022
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