Language:
English
Year of publication:
2012
Titel der Quelle:
Journal for the Study of Antisemitism
Angaben zur Quelle:
4,2 (2012) 571-579
Keywords:
Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945) Study and teaching
;
Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945) Influence
;
Antisemitism
Abstract:
A fierce public discussion erupted in 2010 on the Internet sites of the newspapers "Helsingin Sanomat" and "Iltalehti", after "Helsingin Sanomat" reported that due to Finland's aspirations to join the ITF (Task Force for International Cooperation on Holocaust Education, Remembrance, and Research), study of the Holocaust would be included in the national school curricula. A great majority of the reactions were negative. The most common motifs can be divided into four groups: general negative statements (e.g. the Holocaust does not concern Finland; why should Finland join the ITF?); the contention that the issue encroaches on Finland's sovereignty, and that Israel stands behind this whole enterprise; that there are other victims of other genocides who deserve to be remembered; and that more needs to be written about Stalin's crimes than about the Holocaust. Some reactions were outrightly antisemitic: Holocaust denial, minimizing the Holocaust's significance, accusations that Israel is engaged in a "Final Solution" for the Palestinians, etc. Surmises that perhaps the storm of negative reactions was provoked by "Helsingin Sanomat" by mentioning the State of Israel in its report. Contends, however, that the actual reason for the strong reactions lies in the tolerance on the part of the mainstream press and political leaders for coarse slanders addressed not only against the State of Israel, but also even against its Christians supporters. The online discussion of 2010 shows that antisemitic incidents in Finland can be aroused just by using the word "Israel".
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