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The Web of Hate: an Exploratory Study of Holocaust Denial on the Net

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The Web of Hate: an Exploratory Study of Holocaust Denial on the Net THE WEB OF HATE: AN EXPLORATORY STUDY OF HOLOCAUST DENIAL ON THE NET Daniela Di Giacomo B.A. (Hon), University of Ottawa, 2002 D.E.C., CEGEP John Abbott, Ste. Anne de Bellevue, 1999 THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS In the School of Criminology O Daniela Di Giacomo 2005 SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY Summer 2005 All rights reserved. This work may not be reproduced in whole or in part, by photocopy or other means, without permission of the author. Simon Fraser University Ethics Approval The author, whose name appears on the title page of this work, has obtained human research ethics approval from the Simon Fraser University Office of Research Ethics for the research described in this work, or has conducted the research as a member of a project or course approved by the Ethics Office. A copy of the approval letter has been filed at the Theses Office of the University Library at the time of submission of this thesis or project. The original application for ethics approval and letter of approval is filed with the Office of Research Ethics. Inquiries may be directed to that Office. Bennett Library Simon Fraser University Burnaby, BC, Canada Holocaust denial is one manifestation of racist and antisemitic thought, the scope of which has increased dramatically over the last decade, especially on the Internet. This thesis applies an anti-racism framework to the study of Holocaust denial on the Internet with the objectives of identifying the key claims made by Holocaust deniers, the themes emerging from these claims, and how practitioners working in the fight against hate understand and identify the phenomenon of Holocaust denial. Qualitative thematic analyses of twenty-five Holocaust denial websites and six supplementary interviews reveal that three strategies are used in denial arguments: the relativization of the Holocaust, the trivialization of the Holocaust and the literal denial of the Holocaust. Holocaust denial serves two primary functions: the ideological goal of promoting hate, racism and antisemitism, and the political goal of furthering white supremacy and National Socialism. Notably, the law remains ineffective and inefficient in combatting Holocaust denial. To my parents, Alba and Edoardo, who have encouraged and supported me throughout my academic endeavours. To the victims of the Holocaust: may this examination of Holocaust denial illuminate the danger posed by such literature and preserve the memory of those who perished. This thesis would not have been possible without the support provided by so many. I would to thank my committee, who provided guidance and encouragement throughout this experience. I would like to express my gratitude to Dr. Robert Menzies for all his incredible insight and for his phenomenal editing skills. A special thanks goes out to Dr. Parin Dosa for the theoretical contributions she made and for her excellent comments and questions. I'd especially like to extend my appreciation to Dr. Wendy Chan for believing in the importance of this topic and the need for research in this area. Her continuous support has made this thesis on Holocaust denial possible. I cannot forget the unwavering emotional and moral support from my family and friends throughout this process, in particular Jeff, Susan, Sheri, Jen and Mark. In times of hardship, I drew strength from your encouragement. All of you have helped to make this journey a little easier. An additional thanks goes out to Dr. Margaret Jackson for her exceptional listening skills, patience, and positive energy. Finally, I wish to thank all the interviewees who participated in this study. The insight and knowledge you have provided have been invaluable to this thesis. .. Approval ......................................................................................................................... 11 ... Abstract ........................................................................................................................ 111 Dedication..................................................................................................................... iv Acknowledgements....................................................................................................... v Table of Contents ......................................................................................................... vi ... List of Acronyms ........................................................................................................ VIII Quotatation: George Orwell .........................................................................................ix Chapter 1: Introduction: Hate and Holocaust Denial ............................................. 1 1.1 Chapter Outlines ..........................................................................................5 Chapter 2: Understanding Holocaust Denial .A Review of the Literature........... 7 2.1 Racism ....................................................................................................... -7 2.2 Antisemitism: Definitions. Manifestations and Repercussions ....................12 2.3 Hate Crime and Hate-Motivated Activity in Canada ................................... 18 2.4 Holocaust Denial: History. Conceptualization. and Implications ................. 24 Chapter 3: Research Methods ...............................................................................36 3.1 Theoretical Framework .............................................................................. 36 3.2 The Research Context ............................................................................... 39 3.3 Research Design ....................................................................................... 42 3.4 Sample ......................................................................................................47 3.5 Conceptual Baggage .................................................................................49 3.6 Limitations and Contributions..................................................................... 52 Chapter 4: The Discourse of Holocaust Denial .................................................... 54 4.1 Website Results......................................................................................... 54 4.1.1 Claims of Holocaust Deniers...................................................................... 55 4.1.1.1 Relativizing the Holocaust ..................................................................56 4.1 . 1.2 Trivializing the Holocaust.................................................................... 61 4.1.1.3 Literal Denial of the Holocaust ............................................................ 75 4.1.2 Holocaust Deniers as the Real Victims ...................................................... 80 Chapter 5: Working Against Hate ........................................................................93 5.1 Interview Results ....................................................................................... 93 5.1.1 Conceptualizing Holocaust Denial .............................................................94 5.1.2 Effectiveness of the Law: Combating Hate and Prosecuting Holocaust Deniers ..................................................................................98 5.1.3 Need for Education and Awareness: the Canadian Context ..................... 107 Chapter 6: Conclusion: Combatting Hate and Holocaust Denial ...................... 112 6.1 Strategies for Change .............................................................................. 112 6.2 Holocaust Denial as a Societal Problem .................................................. 115 6.3 Contributions and Future Research .........................................................117 APPENDIX A: List of Websites .................................................................................121 APPENDIX 6: Interview Demographics ................................................................... 123 APPENDIX C: Study Information Document.......................................................... 125 APPENDIX D: Informed Consent by Participants in a Research Study ................. 128 APPENDIX E: Interview Questionnaire .................................................................... 131 APPENDIX F: Claims Made by Holocaust Deniers .................................................. 134 Reference List ...........................................................................................................137 vii PO1 Interviewee: Member of the New Westminster Police Department's Hate Crime Unit PO2 Interviewee: Member of the OttawdCarleton Police Department's Hate Crime Unit CJCl Interviewee: Representative of the Canadian Jewish Congress, Pacific Region CJC2 Interviewee: Representative of the Canadian Jewish Congress, Pacific Region HEC Interviewee: Representative of the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre RRF Interviewee: Representative of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation, Toronto Region CHRL Interviewee: Former Canadian Human Rights Commission Lawyer viii Prosperity will never hear of you. You will be lifted clean out from the stream of history. We shall turn you into gas and pour you into the atmosphere. Nothing will remain of you: not a name in a register, not a memory in a living brain. You will be annihilated in the past as well as in the future. You will never have existed. George Orwell (1 949) CHAPTER 1 : INTRODUCTION: HATE AND HOLOCAUST DENIAL Diversity has become a defining element of what it means to be Canadian.
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