Commemorating a Tragic Past
As the sun sets over Poland, the international community gathers at the Auschwitz-Birkenau extermination camp to honor the victims of the Holocaust. Eighty years have passed since the liberation of the camp, and 54 delegations from around the world are in attendance. The King and Queen of Spain, Felipe and Letizia, will be joined by other heads of state, including the King of England, the King of Belgium, and the President of France.
A Royal Presence
The Spanish royal couple has previously visited Auschwitz, and on their last visit in 2020, King Felipe VI signed the Book of Honor, stating that “words are powerful if they are followed by actions.” He emphasized the importance of preserving memory with truth, solidarity, and education. The King and Queen also paid their respects to one of the Spanish victims, Joaquín Cortillo, by following a photograph of him.
The effort to keep the memory of the Holocaust alive is more crucial than ever, as new generations become increasingly emotionally distant from the events. Despite the presence of the Holocaust in books and films, anti-Semitic acts have increased in recent years, and the conflict between Israel and Hamas has exacerbated tensions.
The absence of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is notable, as he has decided to send his Minister of Culture instead. This decision comes after the International Criminal Court issued detention orders against Netanyahu and other Israeli officials for alleged war crimes.
An Empty Seat
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk had assured that Netanyahu would not be arrested if he attended the commemorations, despite the ICC’s detention order. However, Netanyahu chose not to attend, citing concerns about his safety. The American delegation will also have a minimal representation, with only Steve Witkoff, the special envoy for the Middle East, attending.
A train car will serve as a poignant reminder of the suffering of millions of people who died at the hands of the Nazis. The car will be placed in the exact location where SS doctors selected deported Jews for the gas chambers. As the number of survivors dwindles, the importance of symbols like this train car grows, serving as a reminder of the atrocities that occurred during the Holocaust.
The commemoration will be a solemn reminder of the importance of preserving the memory of the Holocaust and working towards a future where such atrocities never happen again. The presence of world leaders and the symbolic train car will serve as a powerful reminder of the need for continued vigilance and education.