A celebrated figure admired in Germany's nationalist movement and a prominent Holocaust denier passed away on November 20, 2024. Revered by her supporters as a defender of "historical truth," as well as a free speech advocate, and simultaneously condemned by critics as a propagator of Holocaust denial and antisemitism, her life was marked by legal battles, imprisonment, and lasting influence within political far right circles.
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An Era Ends As A National Socialist Icon, Dies
In late November, Germany's ultranationalist movement lost one of the most prominent figures in historical revisionism and a self-proclaimed proponent of the National Socialist "legacy." German nationalists, regardless of group affiliation, mourned a woman they perceive as a role model and inspiration—someone of steadfast conviction who relentlessly pursued what she referred to as "historical truth."
The Nazi was known for her vocal opposition to so-called "established narratives" of German history and the Holocaust and spent much of her life advocating for what she framed as "free speech" while challenging the boundaries of historical inquiry in Germany. Generations of nationalists in post-war Germany admired the longstanding Holocaust denier, who remained an unyielding advocate for her beliefs until her death, in defiance of the law, despite legal consequences. Within the nationalist community, she is celebrated for her courage, willingness to sacrifice for her convictions, and her fighting spirit, which has become a leitmotif for many in the movement.
Her supporters view her as a symbol of the perceived "legacy" of German ancestors. Mourning nationalists see her death as an impetus not only to preserve and promote the values and ideals she represented, but also to continue what they frame as a fight for the so-called "historical truth" in the name of the German homeland.
Neo-Nazi Entities Pay Tribute To Her 'Legacy'
On Telegram, a neo-Nazi party posted the woman's photo on the day she died. The channel wrote: "At the age of 96, one of Germany's greatest dissidents has been called to the great army. With the death of [redacted], national[ist] Germany loses one of the most courageous fighters for historical truth, who was also prepared to give up her personal freedom for the sake of freedom of expression and research."
On Telegram, a German Holocaust denier and blogger posted a video on November 21 in tribute to the deceased. Nerling, who reported on the Nazi's various court hearings (but never met her face to face) wrote: "Somehow I'm speechless. I never understood why that woman judge at the Hamburg District Court sentenced her to prison, knowing that her mortal remains would be carried out of a prison cell in a coffin. I didn't understand the perverse fetish that came to light there. I thought to myself, 'She's as old as the hills! Why don't you leave her alone? Why are you dragging her to court?' It was precisely this judgment in June of this year that made me doubt the Holocaust, because why are laws necessary for a belief in a historical event? I never had the chance to meet her in person and ask her. That day, I also realized how perverse this republic is. At least she died in 'freedom.' From now on, in her honor, I will answer 'NO! I do not believe... in the Holocaust! I want to know!' to anyone who asks me, 'Do you believe in the Holocaust?'. I will not tarnish her memory.
On Telegram, a German neo-Nazi networking platform, which offers aid to imprisoned neo-Nazi activists and their families, posted a photo on November 20 showing a graphite portrait of the Nazi, paired with a wooden death rune, and two candles. The channel wrote: "'The voice of conscience' has fallen silent. Full of sorrow and deep gratitude for the great life's work and many years of commitment to freedom of expression, the true Germany must bid farewell to [redacted]. May her courage, bravery and lifelong sincerity shine as a beacon into a better future.''
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