This week, 79 years after the liberation of Auschwitz, I am visiting the concentration camp alongside world leaders, rabbis, Elon Musk, and many others to remember, and to discuss the rising antisemitism in the world.
My grandfather, Chil, was born in 1915 and grew up in Grójec in Poland with his parents, a brother, and two sisters. When Hitler invaded Poland in 1939, parts of the town were turned into a ghetto, where 6,000 Jews were confined. In 1940, my grandfather managed to escape from the ghetto to his brother in the Soviet Union.
When the Grójec ghetto was closed in 1942, the prisoners, including my grandfather's family, were moved to the infamous Warsaw Ghetto. There, my great-grandfather died of starvation. I believe my grandfather's mother and sisters met their fate in the Treblinka extermination camp. I don’t know where the rest of the family was murdered.
To stand, 79 years later, at the place that symbolizes the hatred that led to the murder of over six million Jews, including large parts of my own family, is overwhelming. To suddenly not only have to accept this reality, but to also have an opportunity as a legislator to change our world, is a massive responsibility.
I have a responsibility not only because my own family was harmed and destroyed, which I saw the effects of during a long period of time, but also because young Jews today don’t dare to say that they are Jewish. It's not just about remembering for historical reasons, it's about remembering to ensure that history does not repeat itself.
Recognizing and combating antisemitism is an absolute necessity for Europe's Jews to live their lives in safety and security. To see and reveal the new faces of hatred following the Hamas attack on October 7th. To join other world leaders, and together declare that we do not accept the rising hatred.
Only like that, can the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau 79 years ago bec…

🐦🔗: https://nitter.cz/DavidLega/status/1749808594013561044#m

[2024-01-23 14:57 UTC]