The Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (Claims Conference) today released a Netherlands Holocaust Knowledge and Awareness Survey, including a breakdown of Millennial and Gen Z respondents, exposing a disturbing lack of awareness of key historical facts about the Holocaust and the Netherlands’ own connection to Holocaust history.
Key Findings
Denial and Distorion
The number of Dutch adults who believe the Holocaust is a myth was higher than any country previously surveyed; 12% of all respondents believe the Holocaust is a myth or the number of Jews killed has been greatly exaggerated, while 9% are unsure. These numbers are higher among Dutch Millennials and Gen Z, where nearly one-quarter (23%) believe the Holocaust is a myth or the number of Jews killed has been greatly exaggerated, while 12% are unsure.
Misperceptions About Holocaust Death Toll
More than half of all respondents (54% of all respondents and 59% of Millennial and Gen Z) do not know that six million Jews were murdered, and 29% believe that two million or fewer Jews were killed during the Holocaust. Alarmingly, this number grew to 37% of Millennials and Gen Z who believe that two million or fewer Jews were murdered during the Holocaust.
Neo-Nazism and Antisemitiism
22% of Millennials and Gen Z feel it is acceptable for an individual to support neo-Nazi views and 13% are unsure. 12% of all Dutch respondents feel it is acceptable and 11% are unsure.
National Responsibility and Acknowledgement
When asked whether they support or oppose recent efforts by Dutch public figures to acknowledge and apologize for the Netherlands’ failure to protect Jews during the Holocaust, only 44% of Dutch Millennials and Gen Z support and half (50%) of all Dutch respondents support.
Holocaust Education
More than three-quarters of Dutch respondents (77%) say that it is important to continue to teach about the Holocaust, in part, so it doesn’t happen again. This includes 62% of Dutch Millennials and Gen Z. When compared to other countries surveyed, Holocaust education is considered important across all populations in the U.S. (80%), the U.K. (88%), France (82%), Austria (75%), and Canada (85%).
Two-thirds (66%) of Dutch respondents, and a majority (57%) of Dutch Millennials and Gen Z believe that Holocaust education should be compulsory in school. Additionally, 64% of all respondents say that educators in the Netherlands should be given more professional development opportunities and resources to teach about the Holocaust. Note: This is the lowest of all of the countries surveyed, including adult respondents in the U.S. (88%), Canada (72%), Austria (76%), and both France and the U.K. (75%).
Topline Results
Holocaust Knowledge and Awareness Survey – Dual Topline Results
Holocaust Knowledge and Awareness Survey – All Adult Topline Results
Holocaust Knowledge and Awareness Survey – Cross Country Topline
