Nevada sees ‘concerning’ rise in Holocaust misinformation, denial

Holocaust denial and distortion is increasing in Nevada, and young adults are especially prone to having inaccurate knowledge of the genocide, according to a survey commissioned by the Nevada Governor’s Advisory Council on Education Relating to the Holocaust.

The survey was conducted in order to gauge and analyze the level of understanding of the Holocaust and other genocides, and the prevalence of Holocaust denial and antisemitism. What it found was that, while almost everybody had heard of the Holocaust — the systematic, widespread murder of 6 million Jewish people and other minorities and targets by Nazis in Europe during World War II — many couldn’t identify basic information like the number of victims, the names of infamous camps, or the reason why Jews were targeted. Some people who acknowledged that the Holocaust happened believed that the atrocities were exaggerated. And many people couldn’t define “genocide” at all, nor “antisemitism.”

“The findings from this study are crucial because they provide us with a clearer picture of where we stand and what needs to be done to improve Holocaust education across our state,” said Stefanie Tuzman, president and CEO of Jewish Nevada, at an event Friday at UNLV unveiling the results. Jewish Nevada co-sponsored the online survey, which reached about 1,400 registered voters around the state in March. “The results revealed areas where knowledge is lacking and misconceptions persist. This underscores the urgent need for comprehensive, accurate and engaging educational programs that can effectively convey the historical significance and the moral lessons of the Holocaust.”

Here are some key survey findings:

• 54% of respondents could not correctly define antisemitism as prejudice against Jewish people.

• 28% reported seeing antisemitism more frequently (asked after given the definition of antisemitism).

• 30% had seen or heard of a Nazi symbol in their community (this increased to 61% of respondents who identified as Jewish).

• 39% saw a Nazi symbol in their online communities.

• 39% saw Holocaust jokes online (among young adults 18-34, this increased to 60%).

• 97% had heard of the Holocaust.

• 37% knew 6 million Jews were murdered, which is the accurate estimate.

• 20% gave a far smaller number than 6 million; 36% weren’t sure how many Jews were killed.

• 86% knew the Holocaust happened and said the number of Jews who died in it has been accurately described.

• 8% said it happened but that the number of Jews killed has been “greatly exaggerated.” Minimizing the number of victims, blaming Jews or otherwise intentionally obscuring facts are examples of Holocaust distortion.

• 1% said the Holocaust is “a myth because it didn’t happen.”

• 14% said they know someone who does not believe the Holocaust happened or attempts to minimize its casualties (among 18-34 year olds, this increased to 26%).

• 28% could not accurately define genocide as an act committed with the intent to destroy a national, ethnic, racial or religious group in whole or in part; 10% had never heard the word at all and 28% could not name a single genocide, including but not limited to the Holocaust.

• 17% could not name the Holocaust’s cause, either directly (Nazis, Adolf Hitler) or broadly (hate).

• 47% could not name a Holocaust concentration or death camp (such as Auschwitz or Dachau), or ghetto where Jewish people were segregated (such as Warsaw).

• 58% of respondents who are parents of school-aged children said they did not believe their children had been adequately taught about the Holocaust.

The Governor’s Advisory Council on Education Relating to the Holocaust was created in 1989. It has 11 appointed members.

Current council chair Elliot Malin said the group will review what it’s done over the years and will work to offer more programming.

“This is not a unique issue to Nevada. This is something we’ve seen nationwide,” he said. “Antisemtism, we know that Nevadans see it too often. We know that there’s a troubling trend in Holocaust denial and distortion. We’ve learned that there’s a very low knowledge base in our younger demographics. And we have the opportunity to fix that.”

In a video message, Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., said she is continuing her advocacy in the Capitol for Holocaust education.

Rosen, the only Jewish woman serving in the U.S. Senate, is working to reauthorize the Never Again Education Act, which gives teachers the resources to give lessons about the Holocaust, and to pass the Holocaust Education and Antisemitism Lessons Act, which would require the first-ever comprehensive study on Holocaust education and resources nationwide.

“Alarming data shows that 1 in 5 young Americans think the Holocaust is a myth. This is not only concerning, but it’s dangerous,” she said. “We know that education is one of the most important tools against antisemitism, against hate and against bigotry. That’s why we must do everything we can as a society to educate people about the horrors and lessons of the Holocaust.”

In a related matter, the Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents will discuss a revision of handbook policy next week to address discrimination on campuses following various protests on college campuses, including Nevada universities.

At their June 6 and 7 meetings, regents are set to consider a policy proposal that would revise Chapter 8 in their handbook to “address discrimination” based on shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics, or citizenship or residency in a country with a dominant religion. The item, which notes that discrimination also includes antisemitism, was requested by Regents Byron Brooks, Stephanie Goodman and Joseph Arrascada for possible action next week.

The full survey results are posted here.

Sun staff reporter Grace Da Rocha contributed to this report.

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