European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed her condolences following the passing of Holocaust survivor Margot Friedländer. “Those who have ever met Margot Friedländer were deeply touched by her” von der Leyen said in an interview with “Bild” (Saturday edition). “She embodied for us Germans guilt, forgiveness and responsibility all at once. The memory of the immense crimes of Nazi Germany, human greatness and warmth, as well as the duty to actively ensure that such horrors never repeat themselves. This petite person was one of the greatest Germans in the past 100 years. What a loss.”
Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt also expressed his shock: “Margot Friedländer was an outstanding personality and until the end an unrelenting reminder against forgetting. She constantly reminded us of what is truly important: being human. Her voice for democracy and against antisemitism, racism and exclusion will be sorely missed.”
SPD Chairman and Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil also paid tribute to the late Holocaust witness. “The death of Margot Friedländer saddens me greatly. She was a voice that constantly reminded us of what truly matters: humanity” said Klingbeil in an interview with “Rheinische Post” (Saturday edition). “Despite all the atrocities she had to endure, she has given so many people hope. In times when hate and incitement are increasingly seeping into our society, her memory and strength were a great gift to our country” Klingbeil added.
“She brought people together and built bridges throughout her entire life. I have always found every encounter with her inspiring and fulfilling” said the SPD Chairman. “She and her perspective will be missed by our country. We owe Margot Friedländer so much” said Vice Chancellor Klingbeil. Friedländer passed away at the age of 103.