MEMORY LAW AND ITS INFLUENCE ON ANTISEMITIC BEHAVIORS AND ATTITUDES

This thesis examines a potential link between memory laws and norms. With an increasing fear of the rise of antisemitism in Europe and a parallel rise of the far right, it is critical to assess the state of memory laws and their effectiveness in preserving historical truth. Norm creation is a possible tool for influencing a society and reducing antisemitic attitudes. This thesis investigates the phenomenon through employing a mixed methodology, where two legal cases will be explored of European Holocaust deniers. Additionally, a quantitative approach will complement these historical cases using public opinion data and officially reported antisemitic incidents to understand the dynamics of these norms. Overall, there appears to be little relationship between the presence of memory laws and antisemitic behaviors and attitudes.