By Joshua Shushan

Just recently, foreign dignitaries arrived in Israel for the historic commemoration of the liberation of the Auschwitz extermination camp, arguably the most notorious of the camps active during World War II. The event, hosted by Yad Vashem and the World Holocaust Forum, drew presidents and princes, prime ministers and clergymen from around the globe, and was the largest gathering of international dignitaries Israel has ever seen. 

To witness such an esteemed congregation dedicate their time to honor those Jews who were viciously murdered during the Holocaust, was truly inspiring. One after another, each representative delivered an impassioned warning about the danger that antisemitism poses to society and to the world at large. 

They decried the Nuremberg laws and the catastrophic events that ensued; the horrors of a history which must be spoken of and remembered so that it never again recurs. Yet it appears that while the evil and malice of the past are condemned, there is far less consideration of the dangers for Jews who are alive today, especially for those living in the State of Israel. 

Tragically, nearly every one of the countries represented by these distinguished individuals, exhibits dramatically different behavior from that which was just espoused. When it comes to acting on today’s international stage, no opportunity is wasted to slander, vilify, and ultimately vote against Israel at the United Nations. 

Only the Jewish State is singularly and consistently maligned with accusations of “war crimes”, despite the truth and all evidence to the contrary. Beyond the promotion of U.N. resolutions detrimental to Israel’s safety, many of these same nations go so far as to fund the entities (i.e., NGOs in Gaza and the West Bank) that publish virulent, antisemitic textbooks depicting Jews as bloodsucking parasites in a manner that would make Joseph Goebbels proud.   

How can the international forum denounce the Nazis’ use of racist material, yet openly support the heinous tactics now used by the Palestinians? And how can they continue to fund the Palestinian Authority which takes every opportunity to incite and sell violence against Jews (under the thinly veiled guise of preventing occupation)? How can they sanction the “martyrdom” that is all too easily earned for the murder of Jews, and the lucrative monetary rewards won by the families of terrorists?   

Funding for these abhorrent ventures is coming from the very nations who stood on that podium in Jerusalem and cried out so forcefully “Never again!” Apparently, it was even ignored that in the mere weeks leading up to the commemoration event, Palestinian newspapers called for the murder of Jews in order to disrupt the ceremony! The blind support of the PA marches on. Public support for the PA was evidenced by the insulting and hypocritical behavior of Emanuel Macron, President of France, who, while in Israel for this auspicious occasion, chose to visit with President Mahmoud Abbas, an avowed Holocaust denier. 

Despite pleas from Israel, Macron traveled to Ramallah to see Abbas, who was doubtless delighted to receive France’s premier. 

Notably, on the day prior to the meeting, in an obvious ploy to score points with Abbas, Macron manufactured a scene in the Old City, berating an Israeli security officer who was part of his entourage. Not only had Macron personally approved his security detail in advance, but it is quite clear from the video footage that no one in the crowd understood why Macron was publicly disparaging the guard in the first place. We can only surmise that the President of France has deplorable diplomatic manners, and it is all too easy for him to show contempt for Israel and disrespect for its citizens.

If the world leaders had truly internalized the significance of the Holocaust, this behavior simply would not continue. These leaders would demand that the Palestinians cease their use of Nazi imagery and rhetoric immediately. They would withdraw funding from any organization or institution promoting and rewarding the murder of Jews, posthaste. 

They would recognize the obvious myth propagated by the people of the world; that which falsely suggests that anti-Zionism is not antisemitism. despite them, in fact, being one and the same. One cannot separate Israel from Jews; they are inextricable.  

Prime Minister Netanyahu was correct in his remarks. To paraphrase, he said that during the worst of times, the nations of the world turned their backs on the Jews. He said that Auschwitz was the ultimate symbol of Jewish helplessness, and that today, Israel is the symbol of Jewish strength and Jews are no longer helpless.  

I say to the leaders of the world: we sincerely welcome your friendship and appreciate your efforts, but it is insulting to pay lip service to caring about our murdered millions, while at the same time supporting and enabling our enemies. 

The Nazis failed in their goal to annihilate us, and our enemies today will also fail. The existence of Israel, not the fair-weather friendship of the nations, is the insurance to the Jewish people that another Holocaust will never be repeated. 

Edited By Natalie Stone