In a powerful display of remembrance and solidarity, thousands gathered at the site of the former Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland to commemorate the 80th anniversary of its liberation. This poignant event saw the participation of 80 Holocaust survivors, whose presence underscored the personal connection to the tragic history being honored.
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The March of the Living, which traced a solemn 3-kilometer path to the crematoria of Auschwitz-Birkenau, allowed participants to reflect on the millions of Jews whose lives were tragically cut short. As they walked, voices echoed the urgent call to combat rising antisemitism and intolerance in today’s world.
“In times when antisemitism is raising its ugly head, when there is increasing hostility towards Israel, and while cries for its destruction emerge, we must stand unified and remind the world of our commitment: Never again,” stated Israeli President Isaac Herzog during a news conference preceding the event.
In recent months, incidents of antisemitism have surged globally, particularly alongside protests against Israel in Europe, North America, and Australia, following the outbreak of conflict in Gaza. Polish President Andrzej Duda, standing alongside Herzog, expressed a shared hope for peace, saying, “We both expressed our hope that the war taking place in the Gaza Strip, which was started by Hamas’ attack on Israel, will be able to end, that the hostages who are still in Hamas’ hands will be able to return home.”
Reflecting on the Holocaust’s impact, survivors at the march urged world leaders to remember the lessons of history. Dr. Martin Stern, an 87-year-old survivor who was arrested at the tender age of five and sent to a concentration camp, cautioned against centering discussions solely on the past. “If we focus solely on the Holocaust, we risk ‘fighting the last war’,” he remarked. “Today, we must confront current realities and the conflicts we face right now.”
Another survivor, 89-year-old Sol Nayman, echoed the sentiment, articulating the fear that future generations may forget this dark chapter in history. Reflecting on his experiences as a young child who fled Poland during World War II, Nayman challenged deniers: “I say to them, come and walk with me through Auschwitz, come and walk with me through Treblinka or Majdanek or any camp of your choice. That’s where the proof lies. We will continue to speak about it. We will continue to teach about it, and hopefully, it will make a difference one person at a time, one child at a time.”
The enormity of the tragedy is underscored by the loss of more than 1.1 million people, predominantly Jews, who perished in Auschwitz’s gas chambers, succumbing to starvation, cold, and disease. During World War II, Nazi Germany systematically murdered over three million of Poland’s 3.2 million Jews, accounting for approximately half of the Jewish population in Europe during the Holocaust. Overall, between 1941 and 1945, six million Jews, along with other marginalized groups, were killed across German-occupied lands in a horrific genocide.
As Israel reflected on its own memories, sirens sounded nationwide on Holocaust Remembrance Day, marking a moment of silence for those lost. Streets emptied as citizens paused in reverence, underscoring the nation’s unwavering commitment to remembrance. This national day of observance, taking place annually in April or May as per the Hebrew calendar, complements the globally recognized International Holocaust Remembrance Day on January 27. Throughout Israel, memorial activities are conducted in schools, governmental institutions, military bases, and the parliament.
According to reports, Israel currently supports approximately 120,507 Holocaust survivors, a decline of nearly 10% from the previous year, highlighting the urgent need for continued remembrance and education about this profound historical event.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
