Curley: When 20% of Young Americans Believe Holocaust is a Myth, Billie Eilish's Ignorance Makes Sense

Columnist explores the alarming lack of Holocaust knowledge among American youth and its implications on society.

Feb. 3, 2026 at 10:15pm

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A recent survey found that 20% of Americans aged 18-29 believe the Holocaust is a myth, not a historical fact. The columnist examines this troubling statistic, noting that in Washington state, 34% of students couldn't name a single concentration camp and over 50% didn't know 6 million Jews were killed. The piece also criticizes singer Billie Eilish for wearing a button in support of ending the Israel-Hamas conflict, without understanding the history and bloodshed behind the conflict.

Why it matters

The lack of Holocaust education and awareness among young Americans is deeply concerning, as it risks the repetition of history's darkest chapters. Without a proper understanding of the Holocaust and its horrors, future generations may be vulnerable to the spread of antisemitism, Holocaust denial, and other forms of extremism. This issue has far-reaching implications for society's collective memory and the fight against hate.

The details

The columnist cites statistics showing a significant drop in proficiency in U.S. and world history knowledge among American students. He uses the example of singer Billie Eilish wearing a button in support of ending the Israel-Hamas conflict, without understanding the history and bloodshed behind the conflict. The columnist then provides a graphic description of the murder of two Israeli men by a Palestinian mob, to illustrate the real-world consequences of historical ignorance.

  • October 12, 2000: The date of the murder of the two Israeli men that the columnist describes.

The players

Billie Eilish

A Grammy-winning singer who the columnist criticizes for wearing a button in support of ending the Israel-Hamas conflict without understanding the history behind the conflict.

Yosef

A 38-year-old Israeli man who was murdered by a Palestinian mob, described as quiet, hard-working, and deeply family-oriented.

Vadim

A 28-year-old Israeli man who was murdered by a Palestinian mob, an immigrant from Russia who wanted to build a new life in Israel and start a small business.

Salah

A 20-year-old Palestinian man who the columnist describes as a murderer, showing the crowd the blood-stained hands after the attack on the two Israeli men.

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What they’re saying

“When it comes to world history, the numbers are so small they hardly ever measure them. But the ignorance is on full display for all of us to see.”

— John Curley, Columnist (mynorthwest.com)

“Would you also be okay knowing that the blood came from the empty eye sockets and the open abdomens? Would you still have worn it? I assume it's ignorance and not heartlessness.”

— John Curley, Columnist (mynorthwest.com)

The takeaway

The alarming lack of Holocaust education and awareness among young Americans poses a serious threat to society, as it risks the repetition of history's darkest chapters and the spread of antisemitism and other forms of extremism. This issue highlights the critical importance of improving history education and fostering a deeper understanding of the past to prevent such tragedies from occurring again.