Disturbing development ahead of Holocaust Remembrance Day: "History is being rewritten in large parts of Europe"

Knowledge of the Holocaust is low among young adults in the United States - according to a survey from September 2020, 63 percent do not know that more than six million Jews were murdered in the Nazi concentration and death camps.

More than 1 in 10 also believe that it was the Jews themselves who caused the Holocaust.

In Sweden, the knowledge is much better among young people, something that pleases Ingrid Lomfors.

- The understanding and knowledge about the Holocaust is widespread among Swedish young people.

In the surveys we have done, we have seen a very positive development, she says.

"Can always be done more"

The change, which has taken place since the mid-1990s, is enormous, according to the superintendent.

In school, for example, it is mandatory to work with questions about the Holocaust, but there are many other actors who contribute to the spread of knowledge.

- Huge efforts have been made in the last 20 years and they have borne fruit, says Ingrid Lomfors.

What is the biggest threat to keeping knowledge alive?

- Personally, I think it is important to work with dialogue because new generations ask new questions to the past based on their experiences.

"Risk that you bring those ideas to Sweden"

We have relatively large immigration from countries in conflict with Israel, is it a challenge or is it as usual?

- No, it's not as usual.

When there are conflicts between, for example, Israel and Palestine, the activity of anti-Semitic statements increases.

It does not create anti-Semitism but it does nourish it, says Ingrid Lomfors and continues:

- Anti-Semitism is more widespread in some environments than others and if you come from countries where anti-Semitism is a state ideology, there is a great risk that you carry those ideas with you when you come to Sweden.

"The Holocaust is politicized in large parts of Europe"

The conspiracy theories surrounding George Soros in several European right-wing parties are the other side of the coin, how do you see that?

- It is also very serious.

Here we can actually see how the history of the Holocaust is being rewritten in large parts of Europe.

But we can also see how it is connected with the weakening of democratic institutions in Poland and Hungary.

Do you view the development positively or negatively?

- When it comes to Sweden, I am very positive, but we must not turn a blind eye to the challenges that exist.