The President issued a message commemorating International Holocaust Remembrance Day. The message acknowledged the historical period of the Holocaust, during which millions of Jewish people, along with Slavs, Roma, people with disabilities, religious leaders, individuals targeted based on their sexual orientation, and political prisoners, were systematically killed by the Nazi Regime and its collaborators.
Historical Context
On January 27, 1945, Allied forces liberated Auschwitz-Birkenau, which served as the Nazi Regime’s largest concentration and death camp during World War II.
Over one million people died at the camp.
Accounts from the period describe the horrific conditions within the camp:
- Inmates were stripped of their clothing and personal possessions.
- Many individuals were immediately killed upon arrival.
- Others were subjected to forced labor, starvation, disease, torture, and medical experiments.
Administration's Stance and Actions
The President stated that the systematic murder of Jewish people across Nazi-occupied Europe represents a significant historical event.
The message conveyed a commitment that such events should not recur.
The current administration has prioritized directing the Federal Government to utilize legal tools to combat antisemitism. The administration affirmed its role as an advocate for Jewish Americans and the right of all Americans to practice their faith freely.
The message concluded by honoring those who perished and commending survivors for sharing their experiences, emphasizing resilience, faith, and strength, and reaffirming the dignity of every human being.