World Holocaust Day recognised in Gibraltar

ON Monday January 27, a ceremony honouring World Holocaust Day was held by the Holocaust memorial in Commonwealth Park to mark 75 years since the liberation of the Auschwitz death camp.

Whilst major events including one at the site of Auschwitz in Poland took place around the world, members of the thriving local Jewish community as well as ministers, politicians, a representative of the Governor and the Mayor of Gibraltar attended this dignified and solemn event.

The wording on the memorial reproduces a poem by German Lutheran Pastor Martin Niemöller who spent seven years in concentration camps;

First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a communist.

Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.