ICAN Secures Accountability as Lithuanian Government Agrees to Remove Holocaust Perpetrator Plaque

The Israeli-American Civic Action Network (ICAN) proudly announces the success of its sustained advocacy efforts regarding the Holocaust in Lithuania. In early December 2024, the Lithuanian De-Sovietization Commission officially recommended the removal of the memorial plaque dedicated to Holocaust perpetrator Jonas Noreika in Šiauliai—a major step toward dismantling Lithuania’s distorted Holocaust narrative.

This landmark decision is the culmination of a multifaceted, high-intensity international pressure campaign spearheaded by ICAN to demand accountability and historical truth. Jonas Noreika, who played a well-documented role in the Holocaust by ordering the establishment of Jewish ghettos, the confiscation of Jewish property, and the mass murder of Jewish communities, symbolized Lithuania’s historical resistance to addressing its complicity during World War II.

No property or financial restitution is part of this decision or future proceedings. This initiative is focused exclusively on historical accuracy.

ICAN’s Leadership in Combating Holocaust Distortion

ICAN has taken unprecedented steps to expose Holocaust distortion in Lithuania, mobilizing resources and global attention to achieve this critical victory. Key initiatives include:

• Raising International Awareness: ICAN amplified the courageous work of Holocaust researcher Grant Gochin and Silvia Foti, author of The Nazi’s Granddaughter, who exposed Noreika’s role and the Lithuanian government’s cover-up efforts.
• Driving Policy Action: Through federal, state, and local partnerships, ICAN advanced policies and inquiries aimed at countering Holocaust distortion.
• Targeting Global Platforms: During the 2023 NATO Summit in Vilnius, ICAN issued a groundbreaking travel advisory with a map highlighting monuments to Holocaust perpetrators, ensuring global leaders could not ignore the issue.
• Shaping Public Opinion: ICAN supported impactful media, including the documentaries J’Accuse! and Baltic Truth, along with hosting global livestream events to shed light on Lithuania’s dark past.

This victory underscores ICAN’s unmatched ability to efficiently leverage resources with a small, highly specialized team to bring unique forms of pressure to bear, achieving what many deemed impossible.

The removal of Noreika’s plaque is only the beginning. ICAN calls on Lithuania to ensure the swift implementation of the Commission’s recommendation and to commit to comprehensive educational initiatives about its Holocaust history. The fight against Holocaust distortion requires persistent efforts to dismantle false narratives and honor the memory of the victims.

ICAN urges U.S. policymakers to stay informed and actively collaborate with allied governments and relevant non-governmental entities to confront Holocaust distortion and uphold historical truth.