International Day against Fascism, Racism and Anti-Semitism (09/11)

November 9 all over the world — International Day Against Fascism, Racism and Antisemitism. It was established at the initiative of the United International Network against Racism, which brings together more than 560 organizations from 46 countries.

On the night of November 9-10, 1938, a mass Jewish pogrom began in Germany and Austria, called «Krystal Night » (Kristallnacht), or «Nights of broken display cases». It became the first mass action of physical violence of the Third Reich against Jews. Then the Nazis killed more than 90 people, 30 thousand Jews were captured and sent to concentration camps. Hundreds of synagogues were burned to the ground, and thousands of shop windows belonging to Jews were smashed — hence the name of the pogrom.

These events in 1938 marked the beginning of the Holocaust — mass violence against the Jewish people, which led to the death of about 6 million Jews. Moreover, according to historians, it was the lack of reaction to the pogrom both within Germany itself and in other European countries that freed the fascists’ hands and served as an incentive to begin the mass extermination of European Jews.

Today, issues of anti-Semitism are once again coming to the fore along with anti-migrant hysteria and the problem of Islamophobia. But the Holocaust — is not only a problem of one people, but an example of what the policy of «finding the scapegoat » and beliefs in the superiority of one nation over others leads to.

In addition, despite the tragedies of the Second World War that affected most countries of the world, when, it would seem, the entire fascist ideology was destroyed « at the root», however, as the situation in the world in recent years shows, this is not so. Even in those states that have suffered the most trials, organizations of pro-fascist ideology are officially registered and legally operating. At the beginning of the 21st century, manifestations of xenophobia, nationalism, anti-Semitism, racism — of everything that makes up the concept of «fascism» became more frequent in various regions of the world.

Holocaust Memorial on the Danube in Budapest (Photo: GoneWithTheWind, licensed by Shutterstock.com)

A key role in the growth of neo-Nazi and radical nationalist sentiments in foreign countries is played by the policy of connivance of the authorities with right-wing radical groups, falsification of history, and the use of neo-Nazism for their own political purposes.

Therefore, today, more than ever, propaganda measures aimed at explaining to those who, out of stupidity or ignorance, join such organizations are of great importance. And first of all, this concerns young people, because they are the — future of our planet.

When talking about the crimes of Nazism, it is necessary to remember what the future could become if we do not say « Never again in time!» in response to those who propose to limit the rights of one group of people only on the basis of race or religion.

Every year on the International Day against Fascism, Racism and Anti-Semitism, many countries host thematic events — exhibitions, rallies, demonstrations and other actions in memory of the victims of Nazism, victims of terror on national, racist, in particular anti-Semitic grounds.



Postcard «9 November — International Day against Fascism, Racism and Anti-Semitism»

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