A poll showed that one in five young Americans believes the Holocaust did not happen.
Poll, by The Economist And YouGov, including 1,500 people aged from 18 to over 65 were asked a series of questions about the massacre of six million Jews.
almost 20% of 18-29 year olds agreed with the statement “The Holocaust is a myth” and an even greater number believe the death toll is exaggerated.
The findings are linked to data that showed 32% of this age group gets their news from TikTok, where misinformation and anti-Semitism have persisted for years – and the platform has previously launched campaigns to combat the issues.
The survey comes amid concerns that universities are becoming breeding grounds for anti-Semitism, which prompted Congress to launch an investigation into Harvard, MIT and the University of Pennsylvania after their presidents failed to condemn students calling for the genocide of Jews.
A poll conducted this month found that 20 percent of people between the ages of 18 and 29 agreed with the statement, “The Holocaust is a myth.” This compares to eight percent in the group of 30- to 40-year-olds. However, none of the participants aged 65 or older agreed with this statement.
Despite strong evidence from records, remains, and testimony, many young Americans do not believe the atrocities that occurred nearly 80 years ago — and social media platforms. Pictured is Auschwitz concentration camp in occupied Poland
The survey was conducted from Dec. 2 and asked a sample group of 1,500 Americans questions about the Holocaust and other related issues.
While 20% of participants between the ages of 18 and 29 agreed that the Holocaust is a myth, another 30% stated that they neither agreed nor disagreed with this statement.
Only eight percent of participants between the ages of 30 and 44 agreed that it was a myth, along with 2 percent of people between the ages of 45 and 64.
However, there were zero per cent who agreed in the over-65 group of respondents.
In addition to ages, the survey also shared data regarding race, with 13% of Black people agreeing with this statement.
Another poll asked 1,500 Americans whether they agreed or disagreed with the phrase “the Holocaust” being exaggerated. For the 18-29 group, 23% agreed, and 26% neither agreed nor disagreed
10% of men surveyed also agreed with this statement, compared to 4% of women.
When looking at political affiliation, 10% of those who identify as Democrats said they agree that the Holocaust is a myth.
Nearly six percent of Republicans share the same belief.
Overall, seven percent of Americans believe the Holocaust is a myth.
Another poll asked 1,500 Americans whether they agreed or disagreed with the phrase “the Holocaust” being exaggerated.
For the 18-29 group, 23% agreed, and 26% neither agreed nor disagreed.
Asked elsewhere in the survey whether they believe Holocaust denial is anti-Semitic, 17 percent of 18- to 29-year-old respondents said Holocaust denial is not anti-Semitic, and another 37 percent said they were not sure .
Asked elsewhere in the survey whether they believe Holocaust denial is anti-Semitic, 17 percent of 18- to 29-year-old respondents said Holocaust denial is not anti-Semitic, and another 37 percent said they were not sure
The war has moved to the United States, where Americans are pouring into the streets to protest against Israel or Palestine
“Social media may play a role,” The Economist reported, citing a 2022 Pew Research Center poll, which found that Americans under 30 typically trust what they see on platforms.
The survey comes amid the war in Gaza following an unprecedented attack by Hamas in Israel on October 7, which killed more than 1,200 people and took more than 240 hostage.
Israel launched fighter jets shortly after the attacks and bombed the Gaza Strip, which the Hamas-run Health Ministry said had killed more than 17,700 people since October.
In response, Israel vowed to eliminate Hamas in the Gaza Strip and launched an air campaign and subsequent ground invasion.
The war has moved to the United States, where Americans are pouring into the streets to protest against Israel or Palestine.
The poll comes just days after senators introduced a bill to reauthorize federal funding for the Never Again (Holocaust) Education Act.
“Failing to educate students about the gravity and scope of the Holocaust is a disservice to the memory of its victims and to our duty to prevent such atrocities in the future,” said Nevada State Sen. Jacky Rosen (D).
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