Slovaks and the Holocaust: an end to reconciliation?.

Appeared in Slovak in "Kritika & Kontext" 1 (1999) and in his "Zidia na Slovensku v 19. a 20. storocí" II (2000).

In December 1990, the Slovak National Council and government issued a proclamation (given on pp. 21-22) concerning the deportation of the Jews from Slovakia and the anti-Jewish measures during World War II. The proclamation expresses sorrow over the crimes committed against the Jews and apologizes for all the wrongs committed by Slovaks during the war. Remarks, however, that during 1990-92 there was an increase in nationalist publications praising the pro-Nazi Slovak State and its leader, Jozef Tiso, accompanied by antisemitic articles and attacks against the present small Jewish community of Slovakia. An opinion poll at the beginning of 1991 showed that 42% of the population felt that Jews were too influential. Distinguishes a radical antisemitic group, supported by Slovak nationalists in exile; a large group of "deniers" seeking to whitewash Slovak participation in the Holocaust; a "silent majority"; and groups of intellectuals (especially the Human movement) opposing antisemitism. Concludes that the major political powers in Slovakia do not support ethnic animosity and antisemitism, but their stand on the heritage of the Slovak State is more ambiguous.