Holocaust Survivors March in Auschwitz in Shadow of October 7 Attacks
Auschwitz, Poland – On January 27, 2022, hundreds of Holocaust survivors gathered at the former Nazi death camp of Auschwitz to commemorate the 77th anniversary of its liberation. This year’s ceremony was particularly poignant as it took place just months after the deadly October 7 attacks on a synagogue in Halle, Germany, which left two people dead.
The survivors, many of whom were children during the Holocaust, marched through the infamous “Arbeit Macht Frei” gate, carrying wreaths and candles to honor the millions of Jews and other victims who perished at the hands of the Nazis.
Among the attendees was 92-year-old survivor, Eva Kor, who lost her parents and two older sisters in Auschwitz. She spoke of the importance of remembering the past and educating future generations about the horrors of the Holocaust.
“We must never forget what happened here,” Kor said. “We must teach our children and grandchildren to be kind, to be respectful, and to stand up against hate and discrimination.”
The ceremony also included speeches from world leaders, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Israeli President Reuven Rivlin. Both emphasized the need to combat rising anti-Semitism and hate crimes.
“We must never allow the memory of the Holocaust to fade,” Merkel said. “We must stand together against all forms of hatred and intolerance.”
The October 7 attacks in Halle, which occurred on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, were a stark reminder of the ongoing threat of anti-Semitism. The gunman, who livestreamed the attack, had neo-Nazi and anti-Semitic motives.
The rise of far-right extremism and hate crimes in Europe has been a growing concern in recent years. According to a report by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, anti-Semitic incidents have increased by 27% in the past five years.
As the survivors marched through Auschwitz, they were joined by a group of young people from around the world, who carried signs with messages of peace and unity. This intergenerational gathering served as a powerful symbol of hope and resilience in the face of hatred and violence.
The ceremony concluded with a moment of silence and the lighting of six candles, representing the six million Jews who were killed during the Holocaust. As the survivors and their families left the camp, they were reminded of the importance of never forgetting the past and working towards a better future for all.
In the words of survivor Eva Kor, “We must remember, we must educate, and we must never give up hope.”
