Holocaust Experts Urge Zuckerberg Not To Allow Denial On Platform
Twenty-five of the world’s leading Holocaust educators co-signed a letter to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg on Tuesday, urging him to stop Holocaust denial on the platform, Haaretz [reported] (https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/gal-gadot-to-star-as-hedy-lamarr-in-new-american-tv-series-1.6359278).
“Facebook must not allow complete and utter falsehoods about the Holocaust, and about the Jewish people, to go systematically unchecked,” they said. “Freedom of speech laws are not a reason to do nothing – inaction is aways the opportunity for evil to flourish.”
Zuckerberg was widely criticized for saying that just because people deny the Holocaust does not mean that his platform “should take that down,” even though he found that “deeply offensive” as a Jew.
“We sympathize with your stated desire to bolster freedom…including those you were quoted as saying may innocently be ‘getting a few things wrong’ yet Facebook must not allow complete and utter falsehoods about the Holocaust and, about the Jewish people, to go systematically unchecked,” the letter responded.
The leaders suggested “tangible” steps that Facebook could take, including offering “cost-free professional development programs for educators on Facebook to give them resources, skills and confidence to tackle hate and prejudice, and to teach empathy, understanding and respect.”
Contact Aisha Tahir at tahir@forward.com or on Twitter, @aishatahir
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