85 years later, anti-Semitic violence persists.
Remembering Kristallnacht: Anti-Semitic Violence is Not Confined to the Past
Thursday marked the 85th anniversary of Kristallnacht — the “night of crystal” or “night of broken glass” — and the common refrain amongst those who remembered the atrocities of that day was devastatingly plain: “Anti-semitic violence is not confined to the past.”
On November 9-10, 1938, the Nazi regime unleashed a coordinated series of pogroms against Jewish communities. Despite the clear coordination of their systematic attacks, the Nazis claimed that their actions were the “justifiable and spontaneous responses” after a Polish Jewish teenager named Herschel Grynszpan assassinated German diplomat Ernst Eduard vom Rath in Paris.
Following the assassination, Nazi propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels spoke to a group of party officials. He blamed Grynszpan’s desperate act — undertaken only after his family was expelled from Germany and forced into a refugee camp — on the “World Jewry” and then added, “The Führer has decided that … demonstrations should not be prepared or organized by the Party, but insofar as they erupt spontaneously, they are not to be hampered.”
From the evening of November 9 to the early morning hours of November 10, the Sturmabteilung — Storm Troopers — and members of the Hitler Youth ransacked and destroyed Jewish homes, businesses, and synagogues. Despite their claims that the actions were “spontaneous,” they took great care to avoid any damage to non-Jewish German properties and confiscated all synagogue archives — to be turned over to the Security Service — prior to destroying the buildings.
Getty Images
As the violence spread, 30,000 Jews were arrested for no crime other than being Jewish. More than 7,000 Jewish-owned businesses were destroyed, more than 1,300 synagogues, and even Jewish cemeteries, were vandalized or destroyed. German reports stated that 91 Jews were killed during Kristallnacht, but more recent estimates suggest that the number was much higher — additionally, according to the Holocaust Encyclopedia, police records indicated a spike in the number of rapes and suicides in the days and weeks that followed.
Universal History Archive/Getty Images
But as the 85th anniversary of that horrible night falls just over one month since Hamas terrorists breached the border into Israel — and then went door-to-door slaughtering entire families and raping women and girls — those who remember the horrible significance of Kristallnacht see it happening again.
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“85 years ago on Nov. 9, 1938, #Kristallnacht began. More than 1,300 synagogues, over 7,000 Jewish stores destroyed or vandalized, many Jewish cemeteries destroyed, over 30,000 Jews deported and 1400 Jews were murdered,” Yaakov Flitchkin posted via X. “Current events painfully show that antisemitic violence is not confined to the past. In memory of the pogroms of #Kristallnacht 9.11.1938. And of 7.10.2023.”
85 years ago on Nov. 9, 1938, #Kristallnacht began.
More than 1,300 synagogues, over 7,000 Jewish stores destroyed or vandalized, many Jewish cemeteries destroyed, over 30,000 Jews deported and 1400 Jews were murdered.
Current events painfully show that antisemitic violence is… pic.twitter.com/LXtEPI5TJa— Yaakov Flitchkin (@Yaakov_Flitch) November 9, 2023
“The Holocaust began with a murderous rampage, #Kristallnacht, 85 years ago today. The only reason the Hamas massacre did not continue and become even more deadly is that today Jews have an army to protect themselves. Never Again,” Michael Dickson added.
The Holocaust began with a murderous rampage, #Kristallnacht, 85 years ago today.
The only reason the Hamas massacre did not continue and become even more deadly is that today Jews have an army to protect themselves.
Never Again. pic.twitter.com/9MjftuarA2— Michael Dickson (@michaeldickson) November 9, 2023
Israeli government spokesman Eylon Levy shared the story of a Holocaust survivor who only just escaped the Hamas massacre on October 7 — and whose family members were either killed or taken hostage by Hamas terrorists.
“85 years after #Kristallnacht, we will never forgive Hamas for giving our Holocaust survivors flashbacks to the Nazis. Never forgive. Never forget. Never again,” he said.
WATCH:
85 years after #Kristallnacht, we will never forgive Hamas for giving our Holocaust survivors flashbacks to the Nazis.
Never forgive.
Never forget.
Never again. pic.twitter.com/LrEzKdsVVx— Eylon Levy (@EylonALevy) November 9, 2023
How does the recent surge of anti-Semitic violence around the world highlight the relevance and significance of the Kristallnacht anniversary?
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The recent surge of anti-Semitic violence around the world serves as a stark reminder that the horrors of Kristallnacht, and the broader Holocaust, are not confined to the past. As we commemorate the 85th anniversary of that dark night, it is crucial to recognize that history has a disheartening tendency to repeat itself.
On November 9-10, 1938, the Nazi regime unleashed a coordinated series of pogroms against Jewish communities. These attacks were supposedly a response to the assassination of a German diplomat by a Polish Jewish teenager. However, it is important to note that this act of desperation was driven by the persecution and expulsion of the teenager’s family from Germany. The Nazis shamelessly exploited this event to further their anti-Semitic agenda.
During Kristallnacht, the Storm Troopers and Hitler Youth set out to destroy Jewish homes, businesses, and synagogues. This was a carefully orchestrated plan, despite their claims of spontaneity. The Nazis took care not to damage non-Jewish German properties, and they seized synagogue archives before destroying the buildings. The violence escalated, with thousands of Jews arrested and countless businesses and synagogues demolished. Tragically, many lives were lost, and police records suggest a spike in rapes and suicides in the aftermath.
The significance of Kristallnacht is not limited to the events of that horrific night. In recent times, we have witnessed a resurgence of anti-Semitic violence, emphasizing the tragic relevance of this anniversary. The recent breach of the Israeli border by Hamas terrorists, who carried out heinous acts against innocent families, serves as a painful reminder that hatred and violence directed at Jews persist to this day.
As we remember the victims of Kristallnacht, we must confront the reality that anti-Semitic violence continues to plague our society. It is not confined to history books or distant lands; it is happening in our own time, in our own backyards. We must stand together to condemn all forms of hatred and discrimination, and we must actively work towards creating a more inclusive and understanding world.
Education is a powerful tool that can combat ignorance and prejudice. By learning about the atrocities of Kristallnacht and the Holocaust, we can foster empathy, compassion, and a commitment to never forget. We must ensure that the next generation is equipped with the knowledge and understanding to combat anti-Semitism in all its forms.
We also need strong leadership, both at the national and international levels, to condemn anti-Semitic acts and foster a culture of tolerance and respect. Governments and organizations must work together to implement effective measures to combat hate crimes and protect Jewish communities. This includes robust hate crime legislation, increased security measures, and educational programs promoting diversity and inclusivity.
Remembering Kristallnacht is not just an act of commemoration; it is a call to action. We must confront the uncomfortable truth that anti-Semitic violence is not confined to the past. Only by acknowledging and addressing this reality can we hope to prevent history from repeating itself. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that the atrocities of the past are not forgotten and that such violence has no place in our present or future.
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