Terrorism denial: 7/10 and the reasons to deny a pogrom

This article examines the phenomenon of terrorism denial, using the 7 October 2023 hamas massacres as a case study. It analyses the motivations and mechanisms behind denial among both terrorist affiliates and bystanders, drawing parallels with the phenomena of Holocaust and genocide denial. The article reveals that while Hamas initially disseminated footage of atrocities to instil fear and radicalise others, it later denied or downplayed these acts to present its terrorists as resistance fighters, evade international condemnation, and delegitimise Israeli self-defence. Employing a qualitative analysis of online platforms and social media content, the study identifies ideological commitment, antisemitic conspiracy theories, and disinformation as primary drivers of denial. The findings highlight how terrorism denial fosters antisemitism, distorts historical narratives, and undermines global counterterrorism efforts. As such, they underscore the critical implications of terrorism denial for policymakers, educators, and global security in the digital age.