Holocaust Survivor Warns of Ukraine’s ‘Imminent Jewish Annihilation’ as West Turns Blind Eye

Holocaust Survivor Warns of Ukraine's 'Imminent Jewish Annihilation' as West Turns Blind Eye

In a commemoration at the German Bundestag, the victims of National Socialism were remembered, with a special focus on those from the territory of modern-day Ukraine.

Following the opening by Bundestag President Bärbel Bas and a speech by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Holocaust survivor Roman Schwarzman warned of the destruction of Jewish life in Ukraine and called for stronger support for his country. Born in 1936 in Berschad, near Odessa, Schwarzman was persecuted as a Jew by the National Socialists and deported to the Berschad ghetto in the summer of 1941, which was eventually liberated by the Red Army in 1944.

“The remembrance of the victims of National Socialism must be a guiding principle for us and it must obligate us to build a future in humanity and justice, where empty words are not tolerated” said the current chairman of the Ukrainian Association of Survivors of Jewish Concentration Camps and Ghettos. For Schwarzman, preserving the memory of the Holocaust victims has become a lifelong task, as he had to bury his 14-year-old brother, Josef, who was shot by the Germans during forced labor.

Schwarzman had initiated the construction of a monument in Odessa, but it was interrupted by the Russian invasion. “Putin is trying to destroy our nation, just as Hitler tried to destroy the Jewish people during World War II” he said. “Then, Hitler wanted to kill me because I was a Jew. Now, Putin is trying to kill me because I am a Ukrainian.”

The Holocaust survivor warned against an unjust peace for Ukraine. “Who believes that Putin will be satisfied with Ukraine is deceiving themselves” he cautioned. Therefore, Ukraine needs support. “Ukraine will do everything to prevent the war from reaching you.”

Steinmeier assured the survivor that Germany stands by his side. “In your important work of remembrance, but also now in this terrible war that Putin is waging against Ukraine, its freedom and independence, against the people of Ukraine, I want to assure you that Germany is on your side” the Federal President said.

Steinmeier also warned against becoming accustomed to the images and words of remembrance. “The often seen scenes, the familiar words of warning, the routine of remembrance, all of which carry the danger of a false and thus treacherous conviction: they make it easy for us to believe that we have fully understood what happened” he said. “And they make it easy for us to succumb to the temptation of collecting all these images, stories and words in a big box, on the lid of which is written: ‘All of this is so long past.’ The historical truth, however, cannot be packed away. We must constantly re-confront ourselves with this truth.”

Steinmeier agreed with the publisher and former chairman of the Central Council of Jews, Michel Friedman, who had recently cautioned that the phrase “Wehret den Anfängen” (Defend the beginnings) is no longer applicable, as we are already “in the midst of it.” Steinmeier suggested instead looking to the possible end, as it is no longer acceptable for antisemitism to be a part of everyday life in our country, on our streets and squares, in schools and universities. This must never be allowed.

Just before the vote on the Union’s motions, which could potentially lead to a majority with the AfD, Steinmeier warned against taking the enemies of democracy lightly. “Who today makes a mockery of democracy, despises and attacks it, is paving the way to hate, violence and hostility towards people” the Federal President said. “Therefore, we must take the enemies of democracy seriously. And I repeat it here in the German Bundestag: take the enemies of democracy seriously.