1.27.2015















A Jewish leader stood before the 
crowd and asked world leaders 
to prevent another Auschwitz, 
warning of a rise of anti-Semitism
 that has made many Jews fearful
of walking the streets, and is
 causing many to flee Europe.

January 27. 2015

Spielberg - 70 years after Holocaust Jews still face anti-Semitism

The final return to hell: 70 years after they were liberated, Auschwitz survivors make last landmark pilgrimage to death camp where more than a million were murderedStanding in the falling snow under the Auschwitz floodlights, the brave survivors who witnessed the horrors of the Holocaust have tonight gathered at the Nazi death camp to pay their respects on the 70th anniversary of its liberation.

In what is expected to be the last major anniversary for many of the survivors, those who lived through the horrors of the camp paid tribute to the 

  • Around 300 people who survived Auschwitz paid their respects at the former Nazi death camp today
  • Comes on the 70th anniversary of the camp's liberation by the Soviet Army near the end of the Second World War 
  • Hollywood director Steven Spielberg also joined world leaders at the camp to condemn rise in anti-Semitism  
  • Survivors and their families gathered to lay wreaths at the camp's 'wall of death' and have been lighting candles
  • Heads of state and European royalty are expected at the camp in Poland for the sombre commemorationsnts
 than one million people, mainly Jews, who were killed there during the Second World War.
A Jewish leader stood before the crowd and asked world leaders to prevent another Auschwitz, warning of a rise of anti-Semitism that has made many Jews fearful of walking the streets, and is causing many to flee Europe.
Scroll down for video 


Auschwitz survivors and their families visit the Birkenau Memorial as more than 300 attended the 70th anniversary of the camp's liberation
Attending dignitaries and survivors of the Holocaust walk past the train tracks once used to ferry people into the death camp
Attending dignitaries and survivors of the Holocaust walk past the train tracks once used to ferry people into the death camp
Those attending the anniversary carry candles which were later placed at a memorial to remember the millions killed in the Holocaust
Those attending the anniversary carry candles which were later placed at a memorial to remember the millions killed in the Holocaust
The ceremony tonight is expected to be the last major anniversary of the death camp's liberation for many of the survivors
The ceremony tonight is expected to be the last major anniversary of the death camp's liberation for many of the survivors
Ronald Lauder, the president of the World Jewish Congress, made a bleak assessment on the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, speaking next to the gate and the railroad tracks that marked the last journey for more than a million people murdered at Auschwitz-Birkenau.
'For a time, we thought that the hatred of Jews had finally been eradicated. But slowly the demonization of Jews started to come back. Once again, young Jewish boys are afraid to wear yarmulkes on the streets of Paris and Budapest and London. Once again, Jewish businesses are targeted. And once again, Jewish families are fleeing Europe.
He said his speech was shaped by the recent terrorist attacks in France that targeted Jews and newspaper satirists.

'This vilification of Israel, the only Jewish state on earth, quickly became an opportunity to attack Jews,' Mr Lauder said. 'Much of this came from the Middle East, but it has found fertile ground throughout the world.'
One Holocaust survivor, Roman Kent, became emotional as he issued a plea to world leaders to remember the atrocities and fight for tolerance.
'We do not want our past to be our children's future,' the 85-year-old said to applause, fighting back tears and repeating those words a second time.
U.S. President Barack Obama, who was in Saudi Arabia to pay respects after the death of King Abdullah, issued a statement paying tribute to the 6million Jews and millions of others murdered by the Nazis.
'The recent terrorist attacks in Paris serve as a painful reminder of our obligation to condemn and combat rising anti-Semitism in all its forms, including the denial or trivialization of the Holocaust,' Obama said.
Those attending the commemoration ceremony carry candles past the camp's haunting fences and guard towers that still remain intact
Those attending the commemoration ceremony carry candles past the camp's haunting fences and guard towers that still remain intact
A train carriage once used to carry people into Auschwitz sits dormant as those attending the ceremony wander through the snow
A train carriage once used to carry people into Auschwitz sits dormant as those attending the ceremony wander through the snow
The delegation of international dignitaries and survivors make their way to lay candles at the Birkenau Memorial
The delegation of international dignitaries and survivors make their way to lay candles at the Birkenau Memorial
A floodlight illuminates the snow-covered area where more than 1million people, mostly Jews, were killed during the Second World War
A floodlight illuminates the snow-covered area where more than 1million people, mostly Jews, were killed during the Second World War
Candles are laid in a row at the Birkenau Memorial by 300 survivors, their families, and visiting heads of state
Candles are laid in a row at the Birkenau Memorial by 300 survivors, their families, and visiting heads of state
The camp's huge fences offer a poignant reminder of the harrowing conditions under which those imprisoned in the camp were kept
The camp's huge fences offer a poignant reminder of the harrowing conditions under which those imprisoned in the camp were kept
The Netherlands' King Wilem-Alexander, Queen Maxima and Prime Minister Mark Rutte stand before a memorial plaque
The Netherlands' King Wilem-Alexander, Queen Maxima and Prime Minister Mark Rutte stand before a memorial plaque
Queen Maxima of the Netherlands pays her respects to those murdered at the concentration camp
Crown Prince Haakon of Norway places a candle at the memorial plaque
Queen Maxima of the Netherlands (left) and Crown Prince Haakon of Norway pay their respects to those murdered at the concentration camp
Roses left by mourners lie next to one of the many plaques detailing transports of Jews who were taken to the concentration camps
Roses left by mourners lie next to one of the many plaques detailing transports of Jews who were taken to the concentration camps
The commemorations in Poland, which during the Second World War was under Nazi occupation, were also marked by a melancholy awareness that it will be the last major anniversary that a significant number of survivors will be strong enough to attend. 
Rose Schindler, 85, who was one of 12 survivors from a family of more than 300 people, returned once 20 years ago but said she wanted a final visit to mourn her parents and four siblings who were killed in the Holocaust. She was separated from them upon arrival in Auschwitz with no time to say goodbye and survived because she was selected to do slave labour.
'I have no graves for my mother and sisters and brother, my father. So this somehow is a way to say goodbye,' Ms Schindler said. 
Director Steven Spielberg, who won an Oscar for his Holocaust drama Schindler's List, also visited the camp for the unveiling of a memorial plaque to those who lost their lives after condemning the rise of anti-Semitism. 
Yesterday, Mr Spielberg was talking to Holocaust survivors in the southern Polish city of Krakow, ahead of today's main event.
The Oscar winning filmmaker said: 'If you are a Jew today, in fact if you are any person who believes in the freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom in free expression, you know that like many other groups, we are once again facing the perennial demons of intolerance.'
The director won an Academy Award for Best Director for 'Schindler's List,' his 1993 movie about a German who saved more than a thousand mostly Polish-Jewish refugees during the Holocaust, warned of spreading anti-Semitism. 
A man places a candle on the monument to pay tribute to those who were murdered at the camp prior to its 1945 liberation
A man places a candle on the monument to pay tribute to those who were murdered at the camp prior to its 1945 liberation
Guests carrying lit candles walk from the 'Death Gate' to the Auschwitz monument as part of the 70th anniversary commemorations
The commemorations are expected to be the last major anniversary for many of the survivors with heads of state also in attendance
Guests carrying lit candles walk from the 'Death Gate' to the Auschwitz monument as part of the 70th anniversary commemorations
A guard tower remains standing on the grounds of Auschwitz, which remains the most notorious concentration camp to be run by the Nazis
A guard tower remains standing on the grounds of Auschwitz, which remains the most notorious concentration camp to be run by the Nazis
Events at the camp today included a service inside a tent erected at the front of Auschwitz, as well as the laying of wreaths and candles
Events at the camp today included a service inside a tent erected at the front of Auschwitz, as well as the laying of wreaths and candles
American film director Steven Spielberg arrived at Auschwitz to unveil a memorial plaque. In 1993, the directed the film Schindler's List, about a German who saved more than a thousand mostly Polish-Jewish refugees during the Holocaust
American film director Steven Spielberg arrived at Auschwitz to unveil a memorial plaque. In 1993, the directed the film Schindler's List, about a German who saved more than a thousand mostly Polish-Jewish refugees during the Holocaust
Mr Spielberg reflects as he looks on the the memorial plaque in Auschwitz. Yesterday he met Holocaust survivors in Krakow ahead of today's main event 
Mr Spielberg reflects as he looks on the the memorial plaque in Auschwitz. Yesterday he met Holocaust survivors in Krakow ahead of today's main event 
Mr Spielberg, third from right, listens as Ronald Lauder, President of the World Jewish Congress, left, speaks at the unveiling of a memorial plaque inside Auschwitz 
Mr Spielberg, third from right, listens as Ronald Lauder, President of the World Jewish Congress, left, speaks at the unveiling of a memorial plaque inside Auschwitz 
Mr Spielberg walks alongside Auschwitz Museum director Piotr Cywinski on the 70th anniversary of the camp's liberation by the Soviet Army 
Mr Spielberg walks alongside Auschwitz Museum director Piotr Cywinski on the 70th anniversary of the camp's liberation by the Soviet Army 
Mr Spielberg films with his smartphone inside a tent at Auschwitz, which has been erected for the 70th anniversary of the liberation of the death camp 
Mr Spielberg films with his smartphone inside a tent at Auschwitz, which has been erected for the 70th anniversary of the liberation of the death camp 
King Willem Alexander of the Netherlands arrives for the ceremony on the site of the former death camp in what was Nazi-occupied Poland 
King Willem Alexander of the Netherlands arrives for the ceremony on the site of the former death camp in what was Nazi-occupied Poland 
Britain is represented at the commemorations by Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond, pictured. The US-led delegation is being headed by Treasury Secretary Jack Lew
Britain is represented at the commemorations by Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond, pictured. The US-led delegation is being headed by Treasury Secretary Jack Lew
One of the oldest-known survivors of the Holocaust Yehuda Widawski goes to take his seat inside the tent built at the entrance to Auschwitz after travelling from Tel Aviv 
One of the oldest-known survivors of the Holocaust Yehuda Widawski goes to take his seat inside the tent built at the entrance to Auschwitz after travelling from Tel Aviv 
Swedish Crown Princess Victoria
Grand Duchess Stephanie of Luxembourg
Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, right, and Grand Duchess Stephanie of Luxembourg pay their respects to the dead at Auschwitz today 
Grand Duke Guillaume and Grand Duchess Stephanie of Luxembourg stand with their heads bowed after unveiling a memorial plaque at Auschwitz earlier today 
Grand Duke Guillaume and Grand Duchess Stephanie of Luxembourg stand with their heads bowed after unveiling a memorial plaque at Auschwitz earlier today 
'(There are) Facebook pages identifying Jews and their geographic locations with the intention to attack and the growing efforts to banish Jews from Europe,' said Mr Spielberg.
'My hope for tomorrow's commemoration is that the survivors will feel confident that we are renewing their call to remember. That we will not only make known their own identities, but in the process help form a meaningful, collective conscience for the generations to come.'
Meanwhile Europe is 'close to' a new exodus of Jews, European Jewish Congress chief Moshe Kantor warned at a Holocaust forum in the Czech capital Prague.
'Jihadism is very close to Nazism. One could even say that they are two faces of the same evil,' he added.
Inside the giant marquee, survivors and heads of state sit by the glass covered railway tracks, which were used to bring Holocaust victims to Auschwitz 
Inside the giant marquee, survivors and heads of state sit by the glass covered railway tracks, which were used to bring Holocaust victims to Auschwitz 
Rabbis lead the attendees in prayer at the beginning of a ceremony to mark the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz 
Rabbis lead the attendees in prayer at the beginning of a ceremony to mark the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz 
Survivors pay tribute to those who died in Auschwitz by laying flowers and candles at the 'wall of death' where prisoners were taken to be shot
Survivors pay tribute to those who died in Auschwitz by laying flowers and candles at the 'wall of death' where prisoners were taken to be shot
Polish president Bronislaw Komorowski lays a wreath on behalf of his country during commemorations to mark the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz 
Polish president Bronislaw Komorowski lays a wreath on behalf of his country during commemorations to mark the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz 
An elderly survivor prepares to lay a lamp next to the wall of death. More than one million people, mainly Jews were killed at Auschwitz
An elderly survivor prepares to lay a lamp next to the wall of death. More than one million people, mainly Jews were killed at Auschwitz
A Holocaust survivor lays her hand on the wall of death at Auschwitz. Survivors and dignitaries are gathering at the former Nazi death camp to mark 70 years since its liberation 
A Holocaust survivor lays her hand on the wall of death at Auschwitz. Survivors and dignitaries are gathering at the former Nazi death camp to mark 70 years since its liberation 
A survivor pays his respects by placing his hand on the 'Wall of death'. Around 300 survivors are expected to take part in commemorations today 
A survivor pays his respects by placing his hand on the 'Wall of death'. Around 300 survivors are expected to take part in commemorations today 
A woman adjusts the ribbon on a wreath, which had been laid at the 'Wall of Death' in the former Nazi Germany concentration camp 
A woman adjusts the ribbon on a wreath, which had been laid at the 'Wall of Death' in the former Nazi Germany concentration camp 
A stone with a message to the fallen is seen in a crack in the 'wall of death' after being placed there by people paying their respects to the dead 
A stone with a message to the fallen is seen in a crack in the 'wall of death' after being placed there by people paying their respects to the dead 
While German Chancellor Angela Merkel said it was a 'disgrace' that Jews in Germany faced insults, threats or violence. 
It comes as France's main Jewish agency CRIF released figures today that showed anti-Semitic acts in the country, home to Europe's largest Jewish population, doubled in 2014 to 851, compared to 423 the previous year.
German prime minister Joachim Gauck has travelled to Poland for the anniversary of Auschwitz's liberation as well as French president Francois Hollande.
Britain is represented by Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond, while the United States delegation will be led by Treasury Secretary Jack Lew.
Two elderly Auschwitz survivors enter the camp under the infamous 'Arbeit Macht Frei' sign earlier today for commemorations 
Two elderly Auschwitz survivors enter the camp under the infamous 'Arbeit Macht Frei' sign earlier today for commemorations 
Two survivors try to contain their emotions as they return to Auschwitz. For many of those visiting, it is the first time they have returned to the camp since its liberation 
Two survivors try to contain their emotions as they return to Auschwitz. For many of those visiting, it is the first time they have returned to the camp since its liberation 
Two elderly Holocaust survivors embrace each other as they arrive at Auschwitz for the 70th anniversary of the camp's liberation 
Two elderly Holocaust survivors embrace each other as they arrive at Auschwitz for the 70th anniversary of the camp's liberation 
Today marks exactly 70 years since the concentration camp was liberated by the Soviet army on January 27, 1945, in the last months of the Second World War 
Today marks exactly 70 years since the concentration camp was liberated by the Soviet army on January 27, 1945, in the last months of the Second World War 
A female survivor is overcome with emotion and wipes a tear from her eye while standing outside one of the camp's detention blocks 
A female survivor is overcome with emotion and wipes a tear from her eye while standing outside one of the camp's detention blocks 
Members of an Auschwitz survivors' association show off their medals, which were given to former Polish concentration camp survivors 
Members of an Auschwitz survivors' association show off their medals, which were given to former Polish concentration camp survivors 
Ukrainian survivor Igor Malitsky reflects as he looks at one of the detention blocks at Auschwitz. Some 300 survivors have travelled to the death camp in Poland for the anniversary of its liberation 
Ukrainian survivor Igor Malitsky reflects as he looks at one of the detention blocks at Auschwitz. Some 300 survivors have travelled to the death camp in Poland for the anniversary of its liberation 
Royals from The Netherlands, Sweden and Luxembourg are in attendance, as are more than a dozen presidents and prime ministers from across the globe.
The Archbishop of Krakow, Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz - a former aide to Saint Pope John Paul II - is there on behalf of the Holy See.
However, Russian president Vladimir Putin did not attend the ceremony amid a low point in relations between Russia and the West, following Moscow's annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula, and its support for the rebel forces battling Kiev's troops in the eastern Ukraine. 
Poland has been one of Europe's most vocal voices in condemning Russia's actions in Ukraine, which has plunged the continent into one of the worst East-West crises since the end of the Cold War.
The Russian delegation was instead be led by Sergei Ivanov, Mr Putin's chief of staff.
Events at the camp today included a service inside a tent erected at the front of Auschwitz, as well as the laying of wreaths and the lighting of candles.
The railway tracks that bore Jews in wagons from all across Europe to their deaths were lit up gold, with the countryside around it covered in deep snow. 
At the United Nations, commemorations planned for today, which is also International Holocaust Remembrance Day, were cancelled because of a snowstorm in New York.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Israeli President Reuven Rivlin had been scheduled to speak along with the head of Yad Vashem Chairman Avner Shalev. It has tentatively been rescheduled for Wednesday, depending on the weather. 
A group of Auschwitz survivors carry roses, which they will lay as tributes during commemorations to those who lost their lives at the camp 
A group of Auschwitz survivors carry roses, which they will lay as tributes during commemorations to those who lost their lives at the camp 
Events at Auschwitz today will include a church service, a laying of wreaths and the lighting of candles. Pictured is a camp survivor returning the site 
Events at Auschwitz today will include a church service, a laying of wreaths and the lighting of candles. Pictured is a camp survivor returning the site 
People gather around to visit the wall of death, the wall where many Jews were executed after being sent to Auschwitz in the 1940s 
People gather around to visit the wall of death, the wall where many Jews were executed after being sent to Auschwitz in the 1940s 
A Holocaust survivor stands in reflection outside a detention block at the death camp. It was liberated 70 years ago today by the Soviet army 
A Holocaust survivor stands in reflection outside a detention block at the death camp. It was liberated 70 years ago today by the Soviet army 
Today marks exactly 70 years since the concentration camp was liberated by the Soviet army on January 27, 1945, in the last months of the Second World War.
The Soviet advance from the east forced the Nazis to retreat from occupied eastern Europe to Germany and they took many of their prisoners to kill along the way.
However, they left several thousand behind, among them children and prisoners close to death.
Ahead of today's main commemorations, many of the survivors paid a private visit to Auschwitz yesterday on the eve of the 70th anniversary of the liberation.
Coming from around the world, some returning for the first time, the survivors paid homage to relatives murdered by Nazi Germany and the millions of other Jews who were killed in the Holocaust.
Together, several of them said kaddish, or the Jewish prayer for the dead, next to the infamous 'Arbeit Macht Frei' sign. 
Mordechai Ronen, an 82-year-old survivor from Hungary who now lives in Canada, made the trip very reluctantly and said he wasn't sure he had the strength to handle it emotionally. After the survivors prayed in Hebrew he cried out, 'I don't want to come here anymore!'
Survivors carry a banner as they visit the execution wall at the notorious concentration camp, which was liberated 70 years ago today 
Survivors carry a banner as they visit the execution wall at the notorious concentration camp, which was liberated 70 years ago today 
Dignitaries enter the camp under the infamous 'Arbeit Macht Frei' sign ready to lay floral tributes to those who lost their lives 
Dignitaries enter the camp under the infamous 'Arbeit Macht Frei' sign ready to lay floral tributes to those who lost their lives 
Three female survivors walk among the snow at Auschwitz, where they have gathered to mark the 70th anniversary of the camp's liberation 
Three female survivors walk among the snow at Auschwitz, where they have gathered to mark the 70th anniversary of the camp's liberation 
Celina Biniaz, 83, was among the 1,200 Jews who escaped Auschwitz by being placed on Oskar Schindler's famous list.
As a child she left the death camp to work in a nearby factory run by the German industrialist.
Mrs Biniaz, who travelled from California for the anniversary said: 'I so wish they would settle that problem in the Middle East because I so believe that it has a definite impact on what's happening with anti-Semitism all over Europe.
'The Muslims have been disenfranchised and their young have no hope for the future, so they are desperate and it sounds glamorous for them to join things like ISIS,' she added, referring to the Islamic State jihadist group that has captured swathes of territory in Syria and Iraq.
While fellow survivor David Wisnia, said his return to Auschwitz is bringing on nightmares and flashbacks for the first time.
'It's a lifetime ago really,' the 88-year-old explained.
'Last night sleeping... here, I had a horrible dream and woke up and looked out the window and sort of thought that I was back in Birkenau in cell block 14 where I started in 1942.'  
Polish president Bronislaw Komorowski walks alongside survivors on a visit to Auschwitz earlier today, where he laid a floral tribute to those who died 
Polish president Bronislaw Komorowski walks alongside survivors on a visit to Auschwitz earlier today, where he laid a floral tribute to those who died 
French president Francois Hollande lays a wreath at the Shoah memorial in Paris earlier today as part of Holocaust Memorial Day. Later he was at Auschwitz to pay his respects 
French president Francois Hollande lays a wreath at the Shoah memorial in Paris earlier today as part of Holocaust Memorial Day. Later he was at Auschwitz to pay his respects 
After laying the wreath, President Hollande signed the guest book at the Holocaust memorial in Paris to mark international Holocaust Memorial Day
After laying the wreath, President Hollande signed the guest book at the Holocaust memorial in Paris to mark international Holocaust Memorial Day
Russian President Vladimir Putin speaking at the Jewish Museum and Tolerance Centre at a ceremony in Moscow today. He won't be attending events at Auschwitz amid a low point in relations between Russia and the West
Russian President Vladimir Putin speaking at the Jewish Museum and Tolerance Centre at a ceremony in Moscow today. He won't be attending events at Auschwitz amid a low point in relations between Russia and the West
Putin sat with the Chief Rabbi of Russia Berl Lazar, left, and the Russian president of Jewish Communities Alexander Boroda, right, during the ceremony in Moscow earlier today 
Putin sat with the Chief Rabbi of Russia Berl Lazar, left, and the Russian president of Jewish Communities Alexander Boroda, right, during the ceremony in Moscow earlier today 
As part of Nazi German dictator Adolf Hitler's genocide plan against European Jews, dubbed the 'Final Solution', Auschwitz operated in the then-occupied southern Polish town of Oswiecim between June 1940 and January 1945.
Of the more than 1.3 million people imprisoned there, some 1.1 million - mainly European Jews - died, either asphyxiated in the gas chambers or claimed by starvation, exhaustion and disease.
In all, the Nazis killed six million of pre-war Europe's 11 million Jews.
Historical records show that by 1942, the Polish resistance was providing Allied powers and Jewish community leaders in the US with the first detailed eyewitness accounts of the Holocaust.
But inexplicably, Washington and London failed to act against the six death camps the Nazis set up in occupied Poland.
'The debate as to why the Allies did not bomb the supply lines to Auschwitz remains unresolved,' survivor Marcel Tuchman said in Krakow yesterday.
'Whether it was a sinister reason behind it or whether it was just tactical, in that they didn't want to divert their air force remains unclear,' the 93-year-old said.

'A little bomb in the proper place,

 it would have really helped









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