Our responsibility for preserving Holocaust memory and its victims has not diminished at all • Our mission has never been more relevant now • World leaders gathered in Jerusalem for the International Holocaust Forum express concern about the current situation, but this concern must be translated into an effective fight against ignorance and anti-Semitism • Opinion

• Life Parade // Photo: IPA

The Holocaust, with its roots in anti-Semitism, was the most extreme expression of genocide. 75 years after the Holocaust, the world has to face difficult questions: How do memorials continue and learn from the darkest chapter that happened in the not too distant past? How do Holocaust memories remain relevant even in a world without survivors who are living testimony to events? Will the Holocaust become a distant memory, a kind of one-time disaster to be read only in books? 75 years later, are we doomed to forget?

These questions are particularly relevant in light of recent research data, and highlight how little today young people around the world know about the Holocaust. This ignorance gives back to worrying global trends, including the distortion of the Holocaust and its denial as well as a growing expression of anti-Semitism, which today can clearly be seen as correlated with cases of Holocaust distortion. It is also evident that in societies where there are more and more questionable factors in the historical story of the Holocaust, which is fact-based, we see less and less inhibition when it comes to the use of anti-Semitic images. We must therefore step up our efforts worldwide to raise awareness of the Holocaust and its significance, memory and the importance of education about it.

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Millions of people around the world, including Jews, continue to be persecuted only for their origin, identity, and belief. The late Prof. Eli Wiesel said at the time - "I thought the memory of the Holocaust would embarrass those who boast anti-Semitic views, but I was wrong. It seems shameful to be anti-Semitic. "Unfortunately, the plurality of anti-Semitic incidents around the world, including in democratic countries, shows us how racism and hatred are virulent and turn Holocaust memory into constant thinking, today serving as a warning beacon to the danger of extreme racist ideologies.

Against this background, the fifth World Holocaust Forum is convened in Jerusalem. The heads of state from Europe, North America and Australia will gather today at Yad Vashem for an event titled "Remembering the Holocaust, Fighting Anti-Semitism".
World leaders who will gather at the World Holocaust Forum are concerned about the current situation, but this must be translated into an effective fight against ignorance and anti-Semitism. Leaders must be vigilant and take effective measures against anti-Semitism and the hatred of the other in their homeland. Words alone will not suffice.

Jewish tradition has a special "remember" command. But even when remembering, facts and responsibilities are critical and at the heart of Holocaust research and education. Yad Vashem strives to provide accurate information based on historical research and innovative educational tools that will promote meaningful Holocaust teaching to students of all ages, from all continents and in a variety of languages. This is an ongoing task that requires the highest level of international effort.

Inmates in Auschwitz upon their liberation

At the end of World War II, the world set universal principles and established international organizations to prevent future crimes against humanity. Today, in addition to international policy and legislative measures, we must strengthen the study of the Holocaust in order to push anti-Semitism and anti-Semitic rhetoric to the margins of society.

75 years after the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau camp, our global mission has never been more relevant. Our responsibility for preserving Holocaust memory and its victims has not diminished at all. We must provide educators, public opinion makers, and decision makers with significant resources for identifying, tackling, and combating anti-Semitism and Holocaust distortion, with a clear understanding of how this can degrade their society.