Reminder and remembrance: On the occasion of the 85th anniversary of the pogrom night, the Brandenburg Gate was illuminated with the words “Never again is now!” Photo: dpa
From BZ/dpa
“Never again is now” – this slogan was emblazoned on the Brandenburg Gate on Thursday evening to mark the 85th anniversary of the Nazi pogrom night.
Matching the colors of the Israeli flag, the gate shone white, the lettering and a Star of David glowed blue. According to a spokesman for the Berlin Senate Administration, the Governing Mayor Kai Wegner (CDU) suggested the illumination. It was switched on around 6:30 p.m. and should be visible until 10 p.m.
Since the events of the past few weeks, the message is more relevant than ever, emphasized Wegner on Thursday. 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 required in everyday life, on the street, at work, to show moral courage, to look and defend ourselves against anti-Semitism and against attacks on our Jewish neighbors and friends.”
Since Hamas’ attack on Israel, there have been numerous attacks on Jews in Germany. In Berlin, unknown people 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 wave of violence against Jews across the country on the night of November 9th to 10th. As a result, according to the German Historical Museum, more than 1,300 people were killed, 1,400 synagogues were destroyed and damaged, 7,000 shops were robbed and 30,000 Jews were deported to concentration camps.