Thousands of people, including Holocaust survivors and survivors of recent attacks on Israel, participated in the annual March of the Living in Oswiecim, Poland, to honor the 6 million Jews killed by Nazi Germany and celebrate the state of Israel. This year, the march was held amidst the backdrop of the war in Gaza, following an attack on Israel by Hamas in October. The attack, which resulted in the death of 1,200 people and the taking of hostages, led to a deadly Israeli offensive that has killed over 34,000 Palestinians, sparking pro-Palestinian protests across the globe.
Pro-Palestinian protests have been taking place at many U.S. campuses, with some critics of Israel accusing them of antisemitism, while organizers argue that the movement is focused on defending Palestinian rights and protesting against the war. In the Polish town of Oswiecim, a small group of pro-Palestinian protesters waved Palestinian flags as participants carried Israeli flags along the route from Auschwitz to Birkenau. The former death camps are now preserved as memorials by the Polish state, serving as a sombre reminder of the atrocities committed during World War II.
Among the participants was an 80-year-old Holocaust survivor from Israel, who marched to the site of the death camps in Poland to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day. The event, now in its 36th year, typically attracts thousands of participants, including Holocaust survivors, Jewish students, leaders, and politicians. This year, Israeli hostages who were released from captivity in Gaza, as well as families with relatives still held captive, also joined the march. Judith Tzamir, a Holocaust survivor from Germany who moved to Israel in 1964, made the decision to visit Auschwitz after her kibbutz was attacked by Hamas on October 7.
Amidst the ongoing protests, Rabbi Ari Berman, president of Yeshiva University in New York, led a delegation of leaders from various educational institutions to show solidarity and emphasize the importance of condemning hate and antisemitism. He highlighted the need for university leaders to address these issues on campuses, stating that hate must be called out and not allowed to go unchecked. Despite some cancellations due to protests at home, the march continued to bring attention to the importance of remembering the Holocaust, honoring the victims, and standing against hatred and discrimination. The need for remembrance and education remains crucial in ensuring that the atrocities of the past are never forgotten and that future generations understand the consequences of unchecked hate.
