Efforts Needed to Counter Holocaust Denial, Misinterpretation – Deputy Foreign Minister

Jerusalem, 31 October, 2022 (TPS) -- SOFIA, 31.10.2022 (BTA)
“It is very important that efforts are made against the denial and the misinterpretation of the Holocaust,” said caretaker Deputy Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova on Monday during an international conference dedicated to the fight against anti-Semitism and the preservation of Jewish heritage, organized by the Diplomatic Institute with the Foreign Ministry.

“We have always relied on the scientific approach in studying the Holocaust, the one which is based on objective and comprehensively studied facts and data, which should be put at the forefront. This scientific approach to studying the Holocaust is the best foundation for historically informed and effective efforts in the countering of modern anti-Semitism,” she said.

The conference is taking place within the framework of a project “Strategic Cooperation between Bulgaria and Norway in support of Bulgaria’s International Commitment to Fighting anti-Semitism and preserving Jewish heritage. It is implemented by the Foreign Ministry, the Diplomatic Institute and the State Cultural Institute and is financed under the EEA Grants Mechanism.

By the end of the year Bulgaria should implement a commitment made in 2021 at an international forum in Malmo to draw up a national action plan for countering anti-Semitism and the preservation of Jewish cultural heritage, said Petrova.

According to her, the national action plan will elaborate concrete measures in the area of education, culture and public order protection.

The driving force behind anti-Semitism to a large extent is hate speech, said Israeli Ambassador to Bulgaria Yoram Elron. According to him hate speech is gaining momentum and is impacting all. “Hate speech is breaking the fabric that keeps society together and creates a false narrative, which could instigate hatred and violence,” he said.

“The policies that we should implement today should be focused on the preparation of children to preserve this historical memory,” said Deputy Education Minister Maria Gaidarova. “To know the risks, to know how a society or organization can use hate speech to manipulate the media and can achieve aims that are not humane,” she said.