Germany commemorates the 85th anniversary of the start of the systematic deportation of Jews to Nazi concentration camps

Representatives of political and societal circles in the German capital, Berlin, commemorated the deportation of Jews during the Nazi era, at the “Pier 17” memorial.

This comes on the occasion of the eighty-fifth anniversary of the start of the systematic deportations carried out by the Nazis from the German capital, Berlin. Figures including Berlin Mayor Kai Wegener, President of the Federal Constitutional Court Stefan Harbart, and Israeli Ambassador Ron Prosor laid wreaths at the Grunewald train station.

"Drawing lessons"

Harbart pointed out in a speech that the beginning of deportations in 1941 from Berlin and other European cities represented the beginning of “a systematic genocide that denies all sense of humanity,” stressing the need to “draw lessons from this.” Harbart warned: “We must never forget where a train station, racism, prejudice, contempt, and bigotry, as well as absolute indifference, can lead us.” We must never stop evoking the absurdity of wars, violence, genocide, persecution and displacement.”

He stressed that efforts made to combat "anti-Semitism that is still burning must not be undone, and we must never accept that public manifestations of Jewish life in Germany remain subject to the protection of racism."

The Israeli ambassador talks about Germany's historical "responsibility."

Israeli Ambassador Ron Prosor expressed a similar position, saying, “The responsibility that this place places on us does not end with the end of a commemoration event.” The Israeli diplomat added, “This responsibility will only end when Jews in Germany can live their lives freely, safely, and without fear.”