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This paper traces the development of historical research on the Holocaust in Israel, from its beginnings in the late 1940’s to its consolidation as an academic discipline in the late 1970’s and up today. It covers early attempts at Holocaust research, the founding of Yad Vashem and public controversies regarding research in that institution in the 1950’s and later. The development of Holocaust teaching and research in Israel’s academic institutions is described on the backdrop of developments in Europe and the US. The influence of public discourse in Israel and international Holocaust research is also treated. The issues behind these topics shed new light on the way Israeli Holocaust research and remembrance was constructed from below and the influence of Holocaust survivors on its development.