(Washington, D.C., Oct. 29, 2020)–B’nai B’rith International President Charles O. Kaufman and CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin have issued the following statement:   

​The enormity of the Holocaust, the Nazis’ systematic murder of 11 million people including at least 6 million Jews, is too large for a 280-character tweet, but that length works fine for a tweet that denies its existence. Evidently, Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey has reversed his platform’s decision to ban Holocaust denial content.  
 
Supreme Leader Ayatolla Ali Khamenei of Iran tweeted Wednesday, “Why is it a crime to raise doubts about the Holocaust?”     

Dorsey, at a U.S. Senate hearing, described Khamenei’s words as only “saber-rattling.” Khamenei continues to post Holocaust denial and threats against Israel – this cannot be dismissed as mere saber-rattling. Holocaust denial cannot be parsed. It’s dangerous and destructive.  

Dorsey’s policy following Facebook’s bold action to ban Holocaust denial content was clarified on Wednesday before the Senate Commerce Committee. While he acknowledged that denying the Holocaust would be “misinformation,” Dorsey said Holocaust denial does not fit into Twitter’s three categories of misinformation, which include “manipulated media, public health, specifically COVID, and civic integrity, election interference and voter suppression,” he said. “We do not have a policy or enforcement for any other types of misleading information that you’re mentioning.” 

We are stunned by this view. “Misinformation” is what happens when you give someone wrong directions. The fact of the Holocaust is undeniable. Dorsey’s view enables the deniers at a time when the number of Holocaust survivors continues to decline, and we are quickly losing first-hand accounts of Nazi atrocities. It’s obscene that Twitter enables the deniers by allowing such content to remain on the platform.  

We assume Dorsey understands that Holocaust denial is not a crime in the United States, but it is a crime in parts of Europe, including Germany, Austria and Israel. 

What Dorsey dishonestly confirms is that he himself is a prominent source of misinformation.

B’nai B’rith International has advocated for global Jewry and championed the cause of human rights since 1843. B’nai B’rith is recognized as a vital voice in promoting Jewish unity and continuity, a staunch defender of the State of Israel, a tireless advocate on behalf of senior citizens and a leader in disaster relief. With a presence around the world, we are the Global Voice of the Jewish Community. Visit bnaibrith.org.