Moving show of support for Israel and Jews: leaders from around the world arrived

Jewish leaders and diplomatic delegations from dozens of countries gathered in Krakow and Auschwitz-Birkenau for an emergency conference marking Kristallnacht. Speakers warned of rising antisemitism in Europe and the gap between government declarations and reality on the ground. At the Auschwitz ceremony, they were joined by an unusual guest from Iran – Prince Reza Pahlavi.

Jewish leaders and diplomatic delegations from dozens of countries, including Belgium, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Poland, and Israel, gathered in Krakow and Auschwitz-Birkenau for an emergency conference marking Kristallnacht. The events opened with a symposium where harsh data on the situation of Jews in Europe since the October 7 massacre were revealed, and speakers noted that antisemitism has returned to the public sphere unchecked – from incitement on social networks to physical threats and attacks on Jewish institutions. Rabbi Menachem Margolin and Iranian Prince Reza Pahlavi joined the ceremony at Auschwitz, where wreaths were laid and memorial candles were lit. Participants criticized the gap between governments' declarations of 'never again' and the reality in which Jews are forced to live behind protective walls. The central call was to enforce existing laws against incitement, implement education tailored to Generation Z, and fight antisemitism even when it comes from supposedly 'correct' political camps.