Reporter's Notebook: Reflecting on similarities between the 1930s and today

Reporter Alex Carson reflects on the EJA delegation to Auschwitz, drawing parallels between the 1930s and current antisemitism in Europe. He notes that the October 7, 2023 massacre and its immediate denial have erased the historical distance he once felt. The delegation heard warnings from Rabbi Margolin, Crown Prince Pahlavi, and Chief Rabbi Jacobs about the 'silent 90%' who look away.

Reporter Alex Carson reflects on his recent trip to Poland with the European Jewish Association (EJA) delegation to Auschwitz, drawing explicit parallels between the 1930s and the current rise of antisemitism in Europe. Carson notes that while 20 years ago such comparisons felt abstract, the October 7, 2023 massacre and its immediate denial have erased that distance. The delegation included European diplomats, politicians, and Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi of Iran, who warned that Tehran's regime seeks to 'finish what Hitler started.' EJA Chairman Rabbi Menachem Margolin called for strict enforcement of protective laws and expulsion of regime diplomats. Chief Rabbi of the Netherlands Binyomin Jacobs warned that society is repeating the dangerous passivity of the Nazi occupation, where 5% collaborated, 5% resisted, and 90% looked away. Carson describes heavily policed travel to Auschwitz and a memorial ceremony at Birkenau, concluding that the era of comfortable detachment and performative memorials is over.