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Antisemitism Resurgence Haunts UN Holocaust Memorial Ceremony

Lisa Schlein

   GENEVA, SWITZERLAND - A somber United Nations ceremony in tribute to
   those who perished in Nazi death camps was dominated by the fear that
   the lessons of the Holocaust were being lost and forgotten.

   Israeli pianist, Amit Weiner and violinist Amit Ifrach set the tone of
   this solemn ceremony with selected pieces from composer, Mordechai
   Gebirtig's Music in Times of Tragedy--the Music from the Holocaust.

   The mood fit the desolation of the U.N. auditorium, largely empty
   because crowds are discouraged in this time of coronavirus. In his
   remarks on this occasion, U.N. Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres
   noted this year's anniversary ceremony was taking place under the
   shadow of COVID-19. He said the pandemic revealed long standing
   injustices and contributed to the resurgence of antisemitism and
   xenophobia.

   "Today, white supremacists and neo-Nazis are resurgent, organizing and
   recruiting across borders intensifying their efforts to deny, distort
   and rewrite history, including the Holocaust," he said.

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