One in five young Americans believe the Holocaust did not happen, a shock poll has found.
The survey, by The Economist and YouGov., included 1,500 people ranging in age from 18 to over 65 years old who were asked a series of questions about the massacre of six million Jews.
Approximately 20 percent of people aged 18 to 29 agreed with the statement ‘the Holocaust is a myth’ and even more believed the death toll has been exaggerated.
The results are being linked to data that showed 32 percent of this age group gets their news from TikTok, where misinformation and antisemitism have persisted for years – the platform previously launched campaigns to combat issues.
The poll comes amid concerns universities have become breeding grounds for anti-Semitism, which has led Congress to launch an investigation into Harvard University, MIT, and the University of Pennsylvania following their presidents’ failure to condemn students calling for a Jewish genocide.
A survey conducted this month found that 20 percent of people aged 18 to 29 agreed with the statement ‘the Holocaust is a myth.’ This is compared to eight percent in the group of people aged 30 to 40. However, zero respondents aged 65 and older agreed with the statement
Despite the substantial evidence of records, remains and testimonies, many young Americans do not believe the horrors that happened some 80 years ago – and social media platforms. Pictured is the Auschwitz concentration camp in occupied Poland
The poll was conducted from December 2 through December and asked a sample group of 1,500 Americans questions about the Holocaust and other related issues.
While 20 percent of participants aged 18 to 29 agreed the Holocaust is a myth, another 30 percent stated that they did not agree or disagree with the statement.
Only eight percent of respondents aged 30 to 44 agreed it was a myth, along with two percent of people between 45 and 64.
However, there were zero percent who agreed in the group of respondents more than 65 years old.
In addition to ages, the poll also shared data regarding race – with 13 percent of Blacks agreeing with the statement.
Another survey asked 1,500 Americans if they agreed or disagreed with the statement, ‘The Holocaust has been exaggerated.’ For the 18 to 29 group, 23 percent agreed, and 26 percent neither agreed or disagreed
And 10 percent of men surveyed also agreed with the statement, compared to four percent of women.
When looking at political affiliation, 10 percent of those who identify as Democrats said they agreed that the Holocaust is a myth.
Approximately six percent of Republicans shared the same belief.
Overall, seven percent of Americans believe that the Holocaust is a myth.
Another survey asked 1,500 Americans if they agreed or disagreed with the statement, ‘The Holocaust has been exaggerated.’
For the 18 to 29 group, 23 percent agreed, and 26 percent neither agreed or disagreed.
Asked elsewhere in the survey whether they believe it is anti-Semitic to deny that the Holocaust took place, 17 percent of respondents in the 18 to 29 age group said that it was not anti-Semitic, and a further 37 percent said that they were not sure.
Asked elsewhere in the survey whether they believe it is anti-Semitic to deny that the Holocaust took place, 17 percent of respondents in the 18 to 29 age group said that it was not anti-Semitic, and a further 37 percent said that they were not sure
The war has trickled over into the US, where Americans are flooding the streets in protest for either Israel or Palestine
The Economist reported that ‘social media may play a role,’ citing a 2022 survey from the Pew Research Center that found Americans under 30 typically trust what they see on platforms.
The poll 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 seized over 240 hostages.
Israel launched jet fighters shortly after the attacks, bombing the Gaza strip that the Hamas-run health ministry said had killed more than 17,700 people since October.
In response, Israel vowed to eliminate Hamas from the Gaza Strip and launched an aerial campaign and subsequent ground invasion.
The war has trickled over into the US, where Americans are flooding the streets in protest for either Israel or Palestine.
The poll comes just days after senators introduced a bill to reauthorize federal funding for the Never Again [Holocaust] Education Act.
Nevada Senator Jacky Rosen (D) said, ‘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.’