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Voices on Antisemitism: Deborah Lipstadt, Ph.D. (Professor of Modern Jewish and Holocaust Studies, Emory University)

From: United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Series: Voices on Antisemitism
Length: 04:56

When Holocaust denier David Irving sued Deborah Lipstadt for libel in a British court, she experienced what she called "the world of difference between reading about antisemitism and hearing it up close and personal." Read the full description.

Voicesonantisemitism_small Even as she wrote a history of Holocaust denial, Deborah Lipstadt had encountered antisemitism in theory more than in practice. But when Holocaust denier David Irving sued Lipstadt for libel in a British court, she experienced what she called "the world of difference between reading about antisemitism and hearing it up close and personal." The three-month long trial, which drew international attention, thrust Lipstadt into the role of defendant and witness, casting a new light on the false arguments behind Holocaust denial.

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Piece Description

Even as she wrote a history of Holocaust denial, Deborah Lipstadt had encountered antisemitism in theory more than in practice. But when Holocaust denier David Irving sued Lipstadt for libel in a British court, she experienced what she called "the world of difference between reading about antisemitism and hearing it up close and personal." The three-month long trial, which drew international attention, thrust Lipstadt into the role of defendant and witness, casting a new light on the false arguments behind Holocaust denial.

Transcript

DEBORAH LIPSTADT:
Holocaust denial is a form of antisemitism. It is nothing but antisemitism. Because, if you think about it, the Holocaust has the dubious distinction of being the best-documented genocide in human history. So you have so much evidence from all sides, that you have to then ask, if all this evidence exists, why would these people deny? What is in it for them to deny? The only reason to deny the Holocaust is to inculcate and foster antisemitism.

DANIEL GREENE:
Even as she wrote a history of Holocaust denial, Deborah Lipstadt had encountered antisemitism in theory more than in practice. But when Holocaust denier David Irving sued Lipstadt for libel in a British court, she experienced what she called "the world of difference between reading about antisemitism and hearing it up close and personal." The three-month long trial, which drew international attention, thrust...
Read the full transcript

Musical Works

Title Artist Album Label Year Length
Sevani Tsorgnorsner 35th Parallel Crossing Painted Islands. 2006 00:00

Additional Files

Related Website

http://www.ushmm.org/museum/exhibit/focus/antisemitism/voices/