European Parliament President Roberta Metsola opened a solemn session with a heartfelt tribute to Holocaust victims, reaffirming the institution’s steadfast dedication to combating antisemitism, racism, and various forms of hatred. She emphasized the dangers posed by the complacent silence that allowed the atrocities of the Nazi regime to occur, stating, “The European Parliament is not a place of indifference— we denounce Holocaust denial, disinformation, and violence.” Metsola concluded her remarks by assuring those present, “We will hear your story. We will carry your lessons with us. We will remember,” before inviting Ms. Irene Shashar to speak.
During her address, Shashar recounted her experiences as a “Holocaust Hidden Child” who escaped the terrors of Nazism in Warsaw. She described fleeing through a sewer to the Aryan side of the city, where friends of her mother offered assistance. Now residing in Israel, she reflected, “I was fortunate enough to have children and grandchildren. I did what Hitler desperately tried to prevent. He did not triumph!”
Shashar also addressed the recent conflict and the violent incidents of October 7, noting that she fled her homeland due to “violence, murder, rape, and terror.” She appealed to Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) for their solidarity in ensuring that hostages are reunited with their families.
She warned that the rise in antisemitism following October 7 shows that the hatred of the past persists. “Jews once again feel unsafe living in Europe. After the Holocaust, this should be intolerable. ‘Never Again’ must genuinely signify never again,” she asserted.
Shashar expressed her hope for a future where “my children, all children, live in a peaceful Middle East, free from hatred, particularly towards us, the Jews. In my vision, Jews can find safety and security wherever they choose to reside. Antisemitism must be relegated to history.”
In closing, she stated that while she had triumphed over Hitler, her grandchildren now must strive for their survival. “I urge you, the Parliament of Europe, to assist in realizing my dream. Together, we can eradicate antisemitism and achieve enduring peace.”
Following her speech, MEPs observed a moment of silence. The ceremony concluded with a musical performance of “Kaddish” by Maurice Ravel, featuring soprano Sheva Tehoval and Marcelo Nisinman.
Irene Shashar, born Ruth Lewkowicz on December 12, 1937, survived the Warsaw ghetto. After her father was murdered by the Nazis, she escaped with her mother and remained in hiding for the duration of the war. Following the conflict, they relocated to Paris, and after her mother passed away, Shashar moved to Peru to live with relatives. After studying in the United States, she immigrated to Israel at age 25 and became the youngest faculty member at the Hebrew University. She currently resides in Modiin, Israel. In 2023, she released her autobiography titled “I Won Against Hitler.”
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