
On the 80th anniversary of Auschwitz’s liberation, survivors and world leaders gathered to honor victims and condemn rising antisemitism, but concerns linger about the dwindling number of living witnesses to history’s darkest chapter.
At a Glance
- 56 Auschwitz survivors attended the 80th liberation anniversary event in Poland
- Survivors and world leaders warned against the global rise of antisemitism
- The youngest survivors are now nearing 90, raising concerns about preserving Holocaust memory
- World Jewish Congress President urged immediate action against increasing antisemitic incidents
- Artificial intelligence is being used to recover overlooked names of Holocaust victims
Survivors’ Warnings Echo Across Generations
As the world marked the 80th anniversary of Auschwitz’s liberation, a poignant gathering at the former Nazi death camp in Poland brought together survivors, world leaders, and those dedicated to preserving the memory of the Holocaust. The event, likely one of the last to feature a significant number of survivors, carried a weight of urgency in its message against the resurgence of antisemitism.
Among the 56 survivors present was 98-year-old Marian Turski, who delivered a stark reminder of the survivors’ dwindling numbers.
“We have always been a tiny minority. And now only a handful remain,” Turski said.
On International Holocaust Remembrance Day 2025, marking 80 years since the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the European Jewish Congress, representing 42 national Jewish communities across the continent, issues the following declaration:
1. The Shoah, the systematic and… pic.twitter.com/SfGd0P8Qq5
— European Jewish Congress (@eurojewcong) January 27, 2025
Wow…
Rising Antisemitism: A Global Concern
Leon Weintraub, a 99-year-old survivor, voiced alarm over the resurgence of radical ideologies worldwide. He warned against the dangers of movements that glorify hatred, stating, “This ideology, an attitude that preaches hostility and hatred towards others, defines racism, antisemitism and homophobia as virtues.”
Weintraub’s words serve as a chilling reminder of how quickly society can descend into darkness when intolerance is left unchecked.
“When the Red Army entered these gates, the world finally saw where the step-by-step progression of antisemitism leads. It leads right here. The gas chambers. The piles of bodies. All the horrors within these gates,” Ronald Lauder, President of the World Jewish Congress, said.
Lauder’s powerful statement echoes the sentiments of many who fear that the lessons of the Holocaust are being forgotten. With antisemitic incidents on the rise globally, his call to action resonates with increased urgency, reminding world leaders of their responsibility to combat hate in all its forms.
As the number of Holocaust survivors continues to dwindle, with the youngest now approaching 90, efforts to preserve their testimonies have taken on new urgency. The Yad Vashem Hall of Names project, which has collected over 2 million testimonies, is now turning to artificial intelligence to uncover overlooked names and stories of victims.
“Auschwitz survivors warned of the rising antisemitism and hatred which they are witnessing in the world as they gathered with world leaders and European royalty on the 80th anniversary of the death camp’s liberation.” (@AP)#HolocaustRemembranceDay https://t.co/DKFjexGmjh pic.twitter.com/mQQ6qiAuJf
— Alex Guiden (@AlexGuiden) January 27, 2025
This race against time is crucial, as surveys reveal significant gaps in Holocaust awareness, particularly among younger generations. The concern that Holocaust denial and distortion could gain traction as firsthand witnesses pass away adds weight to the importance of education and remembrance initiatives.
As the world reflects on the 80th anniversary of Auschwitz’s liberation, the message from survivors and world leaders is clear: the fight against antisemitism and hatred must continue, and that includes anti-semitism from the extreme left.