Admonishers

Abstract

AbstractThe stereotype of admonishers accuses Jews or Israelis of (1) practising Holocaust remembrance excessively and making exaggerated claims in this regard against the German or Austrian society (or other societies which collaborated in the Holocaust), and (2) raising inflationary accusations of antisemitism. Both insinuations are linked to the claim that these are attempts to criticise, accuse or target non-Jews unjustifiably or unfairly. Further, this activity is said to be largely responsible for perpetuating a culture of commemoration in relation to the Holocaust which stifles the development of a positive national identity. Similar to the rejection of remembrance in the demands for a clean break with the Nazi past, the admonisher concept suggests that Holocaust remembrance stands in the way of a positive national and familial self-image. Moreover, the admonisher attribution paints Jews as troublemakers who, through their behaviour, produce or provoke antisemitism.