The ‘age-old hatred of Jews’ must stop
There was one stark message at the commemoration of the liberation of Auschwitz that the world must listen to – stop the hate towards Jews before it’s too late.
National
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Holocaust survivors seized the moment at the event commemorating the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp last week to ensure the world’s most powerful leaders listened to their message – Jew hatred must stop before it’s too late.
In recent days Australia has witnessed numerous frightening, targeted attacks on Jews, heightening tensions amid the anti-Semitic crisis that is plaguing our great nation and one that is being noticed by those around the world.
The timing of the commemoration service couldn’t have been more pertinent – Holocaust survivors and Jewish advocates given the centre stage to speak in front of the most powerful people in the world, including royals, prime ministers, presidents and dignitaries.
King Charles III, Denmark’s King Frederik and Queen Mary, Spain’s King Felipe IV and Queen Letizia, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau were there, while Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus were among Australia’s delegation.
World Jewish Congress President Ronald S Lauder put it succinctly in his address that there’s “one common thread” with what happened at Auschwitz, and the October 7 attacks in 2023.
“The age-old hatred of Jews,” he said.
Holocaust survivor Tova Friedman, 86, told the audience “the world is again in crisis” 80 years after those in Auschwitz were set free.
She recalled being sent to the camp when she was just five and wondering: “Am I only the Jewish child left in the world?”
Many in the audience shed tears and Ms Friedman and many others’ horrifying stories will undoubtedly have an impact in the fight to stop the hatred towards Jews.
When I departed Poland the day after the commemoration service, by chance I bumped into Ms Friedman at the airport.
We spoke about her speech and the impact it had and then she did something I didn’t expect.
With a big smile on her face she asked, “Can I give you a hug?”
And of course she did just that.
An inspirational woman who was one of the youngest survivors of Auschwitz and lived to tell the tale of the atrocities she witnessed. Horrors that are almost too difficult to imagine.
Never again.
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Originally published as The ‘age-old hatred of Jews’ must stop
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