German Chancellor: Anti-Semitism is a Threat to Democracy

Olaf Scholz, the Chancellor of Germany, called on his countrymen on Saturday, January 27, to defend German democracy by fighting against anti-Semitism. In a video message on the occasion of the 79th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz death camp, he stated: "Be vigilant against anti-Semitism, against racism, against xenophobia, and in defense of our democracy." Germany has designated January 27 as "Holocaust Remembrance Day" since 1996. In 1945, Soviet forces liberated approximately seven thousand prisoners from the Auschwitz camp in Poland, which was occupied by Germany. The Nazis killed over one million people in this camp, most of whom were Jewish. In the days leading up to the liberation, Germans marched tens of thousands of other prisoners on foot along what is now known as the "Death March," many of whom died from exhaustion and cold in sub-zero temperatures. The Nazis killed six million Jews during the Holocaust. Mr. Scholz, while some Germans laid flowers and lit candles at the memorial for Holocaust victims, stated that his country would continue to take responsibility for this "crime against humanity." He emphasized that the fight against any form of anti-Semitism and for democracy is not solely the responsibility of the government but requires the support of the entire society. The Chancellor said, "Our democracy is not a given. It is man-made." He added, "When we support democracy, it becomes stronger, and when it is under attack, it needs us." Olaf Scholz referred to the threat posed by the rise of far-right extremists in Germany, other parts of Europe, and around the world, stating that they spread fear and sow seeds of hatred. At the same time, he praised the millions of Germans who participated in pro-democracy demonstrations in recent weeks. The publication of a report from a recent far-right meeting, where they discussed expelling millions of migrants, including those with German citizenship, sparked widespread protests across Germany. Margot Friedländer, a 102-year-old German and one of the oldest Holocaust survivors, expressed concern about the increasing anti-Semitic attacks in her country. She stated on a television program on Friday, January 26, "I never thought such a thing would happen again. It started the same way back then." She noted that it is difficult and very sad for those who endured the horrors of the Holocaust to understand this.