On Monday, as Jews solemnly commemorated Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day—a day dedicated to remembering the six million Jews who perished in the Holocaust—pro-Hamas activists disgracefully chose to disrupt the 36th International March of the Living at the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp in Poland. The event, deeply significant, saw 56 Holocaust survivors among its participants, making the two-mile trek from Auschwitz to Birkenau, where a staggering one million Jews were exterminated.
With absolutely no respect for the tragedies experienced by the Jews, the pro-Hamas activists brandished Palestinian flags and banners while shouting “Free, free Palestine” while having the audacity to compare the Holocaust to the situation in Gaza. In a poignant response, march participants countered this vile provocation with a resounding rendition of ‘Hatikvah,’ Israel’s national anthem.
It’s deeply troubling to witness pro-Hamas, anti-Israel protestors around the globe drawing parallels between Jews and Nazis, and justifying the atrocities endured by the Jewish community. Such blatant Antisemitism distorts historical truths. There’s an urgent need for educational intervention to correct these skewed perspectives. If we fail to address this distortion and reverse these Antisemitic beliefs, we’re at risk of allowing history’s darkest chapters to repeat themselves. Our youth, distanced by time from these horrific events, must be taught the realities of history to prevent such ideologies from taking root again.
This year’s march held an added layer of poignance, coming after the heart-wrenching events of October 7, reminding us of the ever-present danger of Antisemitic ideologies. As we reflect on the lessons of the Holocaust, it’s clear that such educational events are not just ceremonial but are crucial in actively standing against the tide of Antisemitism that seeks to distort history and fuel hatred. The commitment to teaching the horrors of the past and combating the hatred of Jews and Israel must not waver, ensuring that the mantra “Never Again” rings not just as a reminder of the past, but as a clarion call for the future.
