Exactly 85 years ago on Thursday, thousands of synagogues, Jewish homes, shops and schools were destroyed and set on fire in Germany. During this night, which went down as Kristallnacht, hundreds of Jews died. Due to the war in the Gaza Strip, this year’s commemoration in the Portuguese Synagogue is busier, but also more exciting than ever.
On the night of November 9 to 10, 1938, mass attacks on Jewish institutions and synagogues took place throughout Germany. Hundreds were killed and thousands injured and the Nazis deported more than 30,000 people to concentration camps.
Due to the war in the Gaza Strip, there is great interest in this year’s commemoration. The Portuguese Synagogue at the Mr. Visserplein is chock full of people who commemorate Kristallnacht together. At the same time, there is tension around security and the organization has received several threats.
“We are used to that,” says Hans Weijel of the Central Jewish Consultation. “My children are used to military police with weapons when they go to the synagogue. But this is extra exciting, and there will undoubtedly be more security. But we have always said ‘we must let it continue now and not give way to crazy people’. And we have the protection of the government and the municipality.”
800% more anti-Semitism
Since the conflict in the Gaza Strip has flared up again, the Jewish community in Amsterdam has felt increasingly cornered. This is also evident from research by the AD: it calculated the number anti-Semitic incidents increased by 800% in October compared to the months before. Mayor Halsema reacted with shock and spoke of a ‘national shame’.
In Groningen it was decided to cancel the silent procession prior to the Kristallnacht commemoration due to the war and in Breda the commemoration program was shortened from four days to one day. In The conversation with the Mayor Halsema said he would do everything he could to ensure that the commemoration would go ahead, “because I think it is very important that these commemorations, especially at this time, do go ahead,” said Halsema.