Facebook’s representative in Israel confirms that it has no intention of removing Holocaust denial unless compelled to do so by law

According to Israeli news website NRG, Facebook’s representative in Israel has confirmed in a letter to an Israeli parliamentarian that the company has no intention of removing Holocaust denial content from Facebook unless compelled to do so by law.

Jordana Cutler, Facebook’s public policy representative in Israel wrote in a letter to Israeli MK Uri Maklev that Holocaust denial content will be removed in Israel and other countries where it is illegal, but not in countries like Britain which do not have specific legislation outlawing Holocaust denial.

According to NRG, Facebook considers Holocaust denial to be the expression of an opinion which should be challenged. She wrote: “In some cases, instead of the removing and censoring of content, exposure and the condemnation of the lies and the narrow-mindedness are more significant to promoting the truth.”

She claimed however that Facebook will remove hate speech and Nazi symbols, which exposes Facebook’s view that denying the Holocaust is not hate speech and is less offensive than the sight of a swastika.

Facebook’s policy of permitting Holocaust denial is repulsive and irresponsible. This latest announcement is merely the latest in a litany of attempts to dodge the expensive and difficult task of policing incitement on Facebook.

The company appears to be pressing ahead with attempts to remove “fake news”, but apparently it is not bothered by fake history and incitement.