The lessons of the Holocaust remain, regrettably, highly relevant to this day.

Dehumanization is gaining momentum in social and political discourse. The Jewish people, who warn the world of the dangers of this phenomenon, must be the first to stand against it.

If the horrifying events of the Holocaust were to be reduced to a single cornerstone, it would arguably be dehumanization. Undoubtedly, the Holocaust is far more than just one of its aspects. It is a complex historical event encompassing many minor and major factors that made it possible: the collapse of democracy, authoritarianism, populism, conspiracy theories, and propaganda at the service of the regime, all compounded by the ancient "virus" of antisemitism. Nevertheless, without dehumanization, none of these factors would likely have had such devastating consequences. Hatred alone is insufficient for the commission of atrocities. It is the inability to perceive the human essence in others, combined with the suppression of compassion and empathy, that unleashes the darkest impulses.

Consider a notable episode from the Second World War. In 1942, the Jewish writer Ilya Ehrenburg published a manifesto in the newspapers titled "Kill!" Its objective was to bolster the morale of Soviet soldiers fighting against Nazi Germany, yet his chilling call to "hate the Germans" and "kill them by any means possible" evokes deeply troubling sentiments. Admittedly, this was a mortal struggle against a brutal tyranny and overt evil that threatened all of humanity. Some might argue that such measures were justified under the circumstances. However, extreme measures must be approached with utmost caution, as cultivating hatred ultimately leads to that very same dehumanization. Atrocities committed by one side do not justify reciprocal actions. It is precisely for this reason that the civilized world responded to the horrors of Nazism with the Nuremberg Trials, rather than summary executions in the field.

Often, the most vehement calls for violence originate from those who have never witnessed war and its horrors, while those who have endured it typically become the most steadfast advocates for peace. Such a man was Avraham Grinzaid, who passed away a year ago, whom we had the honor of knowing and supporting at the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress. He was one of the Jewish soldiers who fought heroically in the Second World War and subsequently led the Israeli veterans association. Throughout his life, he consistently advocated for peace and reminded everyone of the horrors of war. He was deeply troubled by the state of global stability and the conflicts of recent years.

The same can be said of Oleg Mortkovich, head of the Association of Jewish Former Ghetto and Nazi Concentration Camp Prisoners, another organization we support. Its members experienced the most severe forms of dehumanization, which spared not even children, as they survived these horrors at a very young age. They frequently state that their primary mission is to preserve memory, hoping that their personal testimonies will serve as a lesson for future generations or as a warning sign. The fundamental lesson is that words carry weight and produce long-term consequences. Those who underestimate them risk finding themselves on the wrong side of history when words escalate into horrific actions driven by hatred.

Regrettably, in recent years, dehumanization in all its forms has once again been gaining momentum. We have witnessed it in several conflicts, including the war in Israel, and we occasionally observe it even in the most mundane public discussions and situations.

This is precisely what we must not merely condemn, but actively oppose, regardless of the quarter from which it originates.

As the Jewish people, we understand firsthand what dehumanization is, what it is capable of, and the terrible price we have paid for it. This is what we strive to remind the world of each year. Let us not forget it ourselves.