I had never seen this video before. It comes from a BBC program that aired in the late 1980's, which re-emerged on social media to coincide with this week's Holocaust Remembrance Day. Words cannot describe how moving and profound this is. Every second is worth your time. Extraordinary:
#HolocaustMemorialDay pic.twitter.com/5H99ZRvHXo
— Andy Wigmore (@andywigmore) January 27, 2020
Sir Nicholas Winton, who was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace in 2003, died in 2015 at the age of 106, having saved 669 human lives from extermination. President Trump marked Monday's solemn anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz death camp with this powerful statement:
On International Holocaust Remembrance Day, we remember the millions of precious souls who perished as a result of the horrific crimes perpetrated by the Nazi regime. We also reaffirm our steadfast commitment to confronting the vile poison of anti-Semitism wherever and whenever it arises. This year’s annual observance of International Holocaust Remembrance Day is especially moving as we commemorate the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. As we solemnly mourn those who were abused, tortured, or killed at Auschwitz and other concentration and extermination camps, we acknowledge the heroes who risked their own lives—many of whom made the ultimate sacrifice—to help liberate the camps. Their sacrifices helped the forces of freedom prevail to ensure that these atrocious crimes will never be repeated.
Unfortunately, there are still Jewish men, women, and children who face persecution and discrimination today. To fight the rise of anti-Semitism in the United States, I issued an Executive Order in December of 2019 that will help combat racist, anti-Semitic discrimination. Anti-Semitism will never be tolerated, and this action bolsters my Administration’s efforts to create a culture of respect that deeply values the dignity in every human life. As we come together as one Nation on this International Holocaust Remembrance Day, we ask God to grant strength to those who survived the depravity of the Nazi regime and comfort to the families of the victims whose lives were cut short. We ask that the world reflect on this day and seek to ensure that we stand united against intolerance and oppression of people of every race, religion, or ethnicity. And, in order to ensure that these horrific crimes against God and humanity never happen again, we must resolve to combat evil and oppressive regimes with democracy, justice, and the compassionate spirit that is found in the hearts of all Americans.
The Trump administration's ambassador to Germany, Richard Grenell, shared another moving video:
Never Again https://t.co/EXlYLx3yY9
— Richard Grenell (@RichardGrenell) January 27, 2020
Across the pond, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson penned a strong op/ed as well, having soundly defeated an opposition rife with anti-semitism in the recent UK elections:
As long as I am Prime Minister, I will never allow this country to forget what happened 75 years ago. I will do all I can to see that we continue to learn the lessons of the past. #HolocaustRemembranceDay https://t.co/wp7t49CPfr
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) January 27, 2020
I'll leave you with this searing image of a boy could not be saved by the heroics of a Winton or Schindler -- which underscores the unimaginable evil of the Holocaust, as well as the depravity of those who deny or minimize it to this day:
Recommended
If you have a son of a similar age - trust me on this - you cannnot look without weeping. https://t.co/vMjG0XLheO
— Daniel Hannan (@DanielJHannan) January 23, 2020