On Thursday, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz delivered a moving speech, reminding the world of Germany’s lasting obligation to acknowledge the horrors of the Holocaust. His address came on the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, which stands as a grim testament to the atrocities committed by the Nazis.
Scholz made it clear that the responsibility for these atrocities extends to every individual in Germany, regardless of their personal history or family background. “Every single person in our country bears responsibility, regardless of their own family history, regardless of the religion or birthplace of their parents or grandparents,” he remarked, as reported by the AFP news agency.
The Chancellor emphasized the need to ensure that future generations remain conscious of this responsibility. “We must not and will not accept any relativization. And we will also remind each new generation of its ongoing responsibility,” Scholz affirmed.
Scholz pointed out that efforts to combat forgetfulness of the past continue across various sectors, from educational institutions to the integration of migrants, highlighting that the battle against historical amnesia is a daily endeavor.
His address marks the second occasion this week where Scholz stressed the significance of keeping the memory of the Holocaust alive. Earlier in the week, at a Jewish community event in Frankfurt commemorating the 80th anniversary of Auschwitz’s liberation, the Chancellor strongly opposed the notion of moving on from this dark chapter in history.
“I am against turning the page, saying ‘that was long ago,'” Scholz declared to the gathering in Frankfurt.
Scholz reiterated that the responsibility of remembering the Holocaust is a collective duty in Germany, one that is passed down through generations. “We keep alive the memory of the civilizational split of the Shoah (Holocaust) committed by Germans, which we pass down to each generation in our country again and again: our responsibility will not end,” he stated.
In his speech on Thursday, Scholz also reaffirmed Germany’s resolve to combat antisemitism in all its manifestations, whether driven by political ideologies or religious extremism. He strongly condemned the rise in antisemitic incidents in Germany, particularly following the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which sparked the Gaza war.
Among the troubling incidents of antisemitism in Germany since October 7, 2023, was the firebombing of a synagogue in Berlin by two attackers. Additionally, anti-Israeli protests have surged in Germany following the outbreak of the Gaza conflict.
One such protest took place at the Humboldt University Institute for Social Sciences in Berlin, mirroring the anti-Israel demonstrations that have erupted on U.S. college campuses in recent months.
In response to these rising tensions, German police detained 69 individuals during a series of pro-Palestinian protests in Berlin last June, involving hundreds of demonstrators.
In an effort to curb the growing antisemitism, Germany’s parliament passed a resolution in November aimed at halting public funding for organizations that promote antisemitism, deny Israel’s right to exist, or call for a boycott of Israel. The resolution also recommended disciplinary actions for those responsible for antisemitic behavior in schools and universities, including removal from classes or expulsion.
{Matzav.com}