“You Jews – it never happened, and if you don’t shut up it will happen again.”
This quote was shared by Ben Kingsley in his recent interview about filming the story of Simon Wiesenthal in Budapest, Hungary. This is disturbing, on every imaginable level.
Today is International Holocaust Remembrance Day and on this day I’m proud to be associated with the book Genocide Revealed, which covers the culpability of Hungarian War Hero Admiral Miklos Horthy. According to Aleksander Veljic’s book, Horthy, Hungarian Regent over occupied Serbia, was the first Anti-Semitic leader of Europe – and an inspiration to Hitler. Veljic’s one-of-a-kind book independently revealed the names, dates & places prior to the unveiling of the UN Archives which corroborated his previously disputed presentation of events.
As we remember the liberation of Jews at Auschwitz, specifically, and Buchenwald, Dachau, and all the other places and events, generally, let’s also remember the unknown-to-most Razzia in Serbia, which happened 73 years ago on January 23. The details of this horrendous event are covered in detail in Veljic’s account.
But back to “It never happened, and if you don’t shut up it will happen again.” and Ben’s calm, reasoned plea that Europe grieve. This bears megatons of emotional weight. The sentiment expressed by the person in Budapest gives credence to the oft-repeated quote that Europe has never forgiven the Jews for the Holocaust.
This “blame-the-victim” mentality directed at Jews must be opposed by non-Jews. Jews shouldn’t need to ask and ask and ask for the respect and consideration they are denied in Europe and elsewhere. When Jews oppose naming the largest crane ship in the world after SS War Criminal Pieter Schelte the rest of us should support their demand to change it.
Even Google, the organizer of the world’s information has failed us. I looked to see how they would change their logo today, like they do for other memorable events. Nope, they used their standard, cheery, colorful logo above their search bar. But they did stick a link below “I’m Feeling Lucky” – “Remembering the Liberation of Auschwitz” as though the Holocaust is something we celebrate. Jews should feel lucky too – they were liberated!” Yippee!They’re smart at Google and they have reasons for this which I’m unaware of. These reasons might affect my opinion but for now I’m disappointed to say the least.
Further words fail me in the face of this issue. So today, on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, I really needed a random virtues card to provide me with a lens through which to view what is otherwise a very depressing situation. “Wonder” was the card that came up.
“Wonder is being open to the beauty and mysteries of life. It is our soul’s appreciation for what is precious and inspiring. When we live reflectively, we delight in the signs and wonders that appear in our lives. We are alert to synchronicities that point us toward a decision or give us a deeper insight into the truth.” Sure enough, I am uplifted by these thoughts.
I suppose, in a way, it is synchronicity that brought Kingsley’s Interview, Alexander Veljic, me, and you, together on International Holocaust Remembrance Day. It does certainly open up a door of discussion. So I will open myself up to the wonder of this day of remembrance, and that which reveals itself along its path.
I hope you will too. Let’s agree to share our thoughts with each other, and in so doing, remember to make the world a better place.
I wonder what will happen when we do?