Johannesburg - Holocaust Remembrance Day is not just about studying the history of the Holocaust.
It goes much deeper - it’s about rebuilding anew.
So said Professor Dina Porat, chief historian at the World Holocaust Research Centre in Israel - Yad Vashem.
As the world marks the 11th International Holocaust Remembrance Day on Wednesday, The Star spoke with Porat, who is currently speaking around the country as part of South Africa’s observance of the day.
“What came out of the Holocaust was not just a lesson for the Jewish people but for all people and all groups, especially those nations who have been through trauma like South Africa,” she said.
South Africa, together with seven other African nations including Rwanda and Uganda, are among those commemorating International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
“By commemorating and speaking about the Holocaust universally, we can learn about the concentration of lines which led to it, this is the basis of teaching human rights, anti-xenophobia and anti-racism. It’s all about an individual's role and responsibility in the world and within society,” Porat said.
She said it was also important to look at how propaganda, leadership and ideology impacted ”on such a cultured nation like Germany” just prior to the Holocaust, and “how the public became so tempted to join”.
As South Africa continues to battle issues of racism following its long history of apartheid, Porat said combating and eventually overcoming racial discrimination “is a long and hard process”.
“It depends very much on the atmosphere leaders of the country instil within. The education system, education ministries and public events are also key to dealing with racism and eliminating it. If leaders of a country speak positively, if education and opportunities are given, you’ll see with time, the process will work in the long run,” Porat said.
She also addressed the issue of South Africans who have recently voiced their admiration for Adolf Hitler and his actions.
“I would tell them to study the Holocaust and study who Hitler really was. They should know that Hitler’s aim was to conquer Europe and reorganise it racially - on a racial basis. Once he conquered Europe, he planned to go to the other continents including Africa and deal the same way with blacks,” she said.
Anyone who revered Hitler should definitely take into consideration his attitude towards black people, Indians and people of colour, Porat added.
“All in all, because of Hitler’s racial obsession, the Second World War broke out,” Porat said.
She emphasised that Hitler and the Nazis didn’t only murder Jews but also murdered Romani, Slavs and homosexuals among many others.
“Some 55-60 million people were killed all over the globe,” she said.
Porat’s concluding message for South Africa was one of encouragement and praise: “South Africa is a fascinating place undergoing a process of change and appeasement, my wish is that this process continues successfully. As the rainbow nation I encourage you to continue working towards strong solidarity between all races because this country has such diversity.”
International Holocaust Remembrance Day was established in 2005 by the UN and is commemorated annually worldwide on January 27.
The Star