"Never again is now" shines on Brandenburg Gate
The Brandenburg Gate was illuminated with the words "Never again is now" on Thursday evening to mark the 85th anniversary of the Nazi pogrom night. In keeping with the colors of the Israeli flag, the gate was illuminated in white, while the lettering and a Star of David shone blue. According to a spokesperson for the Berlin Senate Administration, the Governing Mayor Kai Wegner (CDU) had initiated the illumination. It was switched on at around 6.30 pm and was to be visible until 10 pm.
Wegner emphasized on Thursday that the message was more relevant than ever since the events of the past few weeks. Jews must be safe in Berlin and Germany. "We will do everything we can to ensure that anti-Semitism and hatred of Israel have no place in Berlin," said the CDU politician and promised not to leave those affected alone. "Each and every one of us is called upon to show civil courage in everyday life, on the street and at work, to take a stand and defend ourselves against anti-Semitism and attacks on our Jewish neighbors and friends."
Since the Hamas attack on Israel, there have been numerous attacks on Jews in Germany. In Berlin, unknown persons painted Stars of David on the houses of Jewish Berliners, and in mid-October there was an attempted arson attack on a synagogue.
In 1938, Nazi thugs began a nationwide wave of violence against Jews on the night of November 9-10. According to the German Historical Museum, more than 1,300 people were killed, 1,400 synagogues were destroyed and damaged, 7,000 stores were attacked and 30,000 Jews were deported to concentration camps.
The recall of the Nazi pogrom night serves as a stark reminder of the historical links between religion and extremism, as demonstrated by the rise of National Socialism. Honoring this anniversary, the Governing Mayor emphasized the relevance of the "Never again is now" message, highlighting the need to combat anti-Semitism and ensure the safety of Jews in Berlin and Germany.
Source: www.dpa.com
