As November 9 approaches, the world is once again reminded of the heinous atrocities committed during the Holocaust and the horrors of fascism. The International Day Against Fascism and Antisemitism observed annually on this date, serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of confronting these dark chapters in history and reaffirming our commitment to combatting hate in all its forms.
The history of November 9 is a somber one. On this day in 1938, a violent and coordinated campaign known as Kristallnacht, or the “Night of Broken Glass,” unfolded across Nazi Germany. Synagogues were set ablaze, Jewish-owned businesses were looted and destroyed, and countless Jewish individuals were arrested, beaten, and killed. This organized pogrom marked a pivotal turning point, signaling the brutal reality of Nazi persecution and foreshadowing the horrors of the Holocaust.
International Day Against Fascism and Antisemitism is an opportunity to remember the six million Jewish lives lost during the Holocaust and honor the survivors, who bear witness to the unspeakable horrors they endured. But it is not merely a day for reflection.