A group of pro-Palestinian demonstrators disrupted the annual ‘March of the Living’ event at the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp in Poland, where thousands gathered to commemorate Holocaust Remembrance Day.
The incident sparked fury as participants and Holocaust survivors reported verbal harassment and offensive chants during the solemn event.
The ‘March of the Living’ is a symbolic walk from Auschwitz to Birkenau, commemorating the six million Jews who were killed during the Holocaust.
This year, the march attracted a significant number of participants, including Holocaust survivors, Israeli citizens, and families of those affected by the recent Hamas terrorist attacks, including the massacre in southern Israel on October 8.
However, the mood was marred by a small group of protesters who staged a demonstration near the site, displaying banners that read “stop genocide” and waving Palestinian flags. According to eyewitnesses, some protesters chanted at those participating in the march, creating a tense atmosphere. Israeli participants responded with lines from ‘Am Israel chai,’ a Jewish solidarity anthem.
Auschwitz-Birkenau, a place of profound historical significance, saw the systematic killing of over one million Jews by Nazi Germany during World War II. Any disruption during commemorative events at the site is rightly seen as deeply disrespectful and inflammatory.
The International March of the Living, which organises the annual event, issued a statement condemning the incident.
It read: “We marched today to give a voice to the six million victims of the Nazis’ industrial genocide of the Jewish people. The half a dozen protestors who perversely saw this as an opportunity to voice hatred against Israel and the Jewish people serve as a timely reminder of the importance of Holocaust education and remembrance and of teaching the dangers of hatred and extremism,”
The incident comes at a time of heightened tension, as the ongoing conflict in the Middle East nears its seventh month. Despite ongoing ceasefire talks, Israeli forces continue military operations in Gaza, sparking protests and further fuelling the global debate around the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Authorities in Poland, where the march takes place, have yet to issue a formal response to the incident.
The ‘March of the Living’ will continue its traditional path, with organisers emphasising the importance of honouring the victims and survivors of the Holocaust in a respectful and dignified manner.
