Taoiseach 'shocked' that 9% of young people believe Holocaust is myth

Micheál Martin raised concerns about the level of Holocaust denialism in Ireland, saying more education and public awareness are required

Taoiseach Micheál Martin with Holocaust survivor Suzi Diamond at a Holocaust Memorial Day commemoration at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham in Dublin on Sunday. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA

The number of young people who believe the Holocaust is a myth is “shocking” and must be opposed, Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said.

He raised concerns about the level of Holocaust denialism in Ireland, saying there is a requirement to do more on education and public awareness.

A recent survey carried out by the Claims Conference, an organisation which negotiates compensation for Holocaust survivors, suggests that 9% of people aged 18-29 who responded to the survey believe the Holocaust is a myth.

It found that 19% of the same age cohort in the survey believe the Holocaust happened but that the number of Jews who were killed had been “greatly exaggerated”.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin speaking at the Holocaust Memorial Day commemoration at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham in Dublin. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA

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The survey made for "very sobering reading", said Mr Martin. He said: 

The Holocaust is the most clearly documented crime in world history. Its savagery and scale are undeniable, as are the identities of its victims.

“This level of ignorance and denial is shocking and must be opposed.”

He pointed to more encouraging news from the research: 92% of Irish people believe it is important to continue teaching people about the Holocaust.

“In me and in this Government, you have a willing and eager partner in meeting this challenge,” he said, citing ongoing work between the Department of Education, Department of Foreign Affairs, and the Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation.

Holocaust Memorial Day

The Taoiseach was speaking as he gave a speech at the Holocaust Memorial Day commemoration at Royal Hospital Kilmainham.

Mr Martin said “every decent person should be appalled at the levels of antisemitism which still exist”.

“They should be outraged at the need to provide protection for Jewish places of worship,” he said. 

“It is the duty of every person who believes in basic human dignity to call out antisemitism wherever they find it and that includes our society.”

Mr Martin said the world is in “increasingly unsettled times”, adding that post-war norms are “constantly undermined”.

“We are seeing growing instances of people feeling comfortable expressing antisemitism, racism, and intolerance,” he said.

Chief Rabbi Yoni Wieder at the Holocaust Memorial Day commemoration at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham in Dublin on Sunday. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA

Mr Martin said Ireland’s heart goes out to the families of those killed in the antisemitic attack at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, in December, in which 15 people were murdered during Hanukkah.

Mr Martin also spoke about the proposal to rename Dublin's Herzog Park, telling the audience the Jewish community were right to be “deeply concerned” about the renaming.

“Our urgent challenge is to work to ensure that the public realm offers safe spaces where ideas can be shared and debated and where differing views are tolerated with respect.”

Mr Martin ended his speech by saying it is vital to remember the Holocaust and to “redouble” efforts to ensure the antisemitism and racism which caused it never takes hold again.

Tadgh McNally, Political reporter