The World Jewish Congress will take part in a workshop on 18 May organized by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), which coincides with the 75th anniversary of the end of the Holocaust and the surrender of Nazi Germany. The 34-member Alliance recently underscored that taking action against Holocaust denial and distortion is more urgent than ever.
IHRA Executive Secretary Dr. Kathrin Meyer said: “Today, many countries around the world commemorate the end of the Holocaust and the surrender of Nazi Germany. Remembering the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust and the other victims of Nazi persecution and murder is the responsibility not only of governments but of societies as a whole. And although the global pandemic means that commemorations will look very different this year, governments and organizations are still finding ways to come together to highlight the anniversary of this important moment in the historical record.”
The 18 May workshop, which will focus specifically on Holocaust distortion, will be held online due to the coronavirus outbreak. WJC’s Coordinator on Countering Antisemitism Leon Saltiel will participate on behalf of the organization.
The workshop is part of the efforts undertaken by the Global Task Force Against Holocaust Denial and Distortion, which was launched by Germany, in its capacity as IHRA chairman. The goal of the Task Force is to develop recommendations on monitoring and combatting Holocaust distortion and denial and to bring like-minded governmental and non-governmental bodies together to “counter Holocaust denial and distortion, antisemitism, and all forms of racism and discrimination that undermine fundamental democratic principles.”
The Task Force’s recommendations will be voted on during the IHRA Plenary, which is scheduled for December 2020.
