Israel-Hamas Conflict: Pro-Palestinian University Protests Compared to 1930s Germany by Holocaust Expert
According to the chairman of the World Holocaust Remembrance Centre speaking from Yad Vashem, protests on US university campuses are comparable to 1930s Germany and are considered “cancerous.” He emphasized that antisemitism is becoming normalized in various institutions and leaders need to take a stand against it.
While expressing no opposition to protests against Israel’s policies, including in Gaza, the chairman highlighted that calls for the elimination of Israel, regardless of its policies, are inherently antisemitic.
In his statement, he addressed the concerning trend of genocidal rhetoric on elite campuses in the United States and Europe, noting that the discourse of eliminating Israel has become normalized, particularly in universities like Columbia.
The chairman, a former consul general of Israel in New York, emphasized the need for university leaders to uphold moral principles in the face of rising antisemitism, drawing parallels to the purging of Jewish academics and students at Heidelberg University in the 1930s.
He warned against the normalization of bigoted ideologies and racism, particularly in university settings where calls for the abolition of the Jewish state and Zionism are prevalent.
Recent events at UCLA and Columbia University have seen clashes between protesters and police, leading to arrests and the dismantling of protest encampments.
As demonstrations continue across Europe and the UK, police are prepared to intervene if necessary to maintain order and ensure the safety of all individuals involved.
