. The dispute here is not really about facts, but about interpretation

I have not needed to interpret the statements of the historians.
They are unequivocal.
The historians interpret the data, but since they all agree on the issues in question, that must be unequivocal too.

and, most of all, about present-day feelings.

NO!
Feelings are subjective.
They are irrelevant in establishing historical fact.
The muppets' argument IS based solely on their "feelings."
That makes them worthless.