The Kindertransport memorial in Berlin, a powerful tribute to the children of the Holocaust, was recently targeted by vandals during a wave of pro-Palestinian protests. The memorial, crafted by Frank Meisler, fell victim to activists amidst unsanctioned New Year’s Eve demonstrations, sparking outrage from Holocaust survivors and their loved ones.
Despite efforts to prohibit such protests for security reasons during the holiday period, thousands of protesters clashed with law enforcement, leading to multiple arrests and damage to public property, including the cherished memorial. The sculpture, known as “Trains to Life – Trains to Death,” poignantly illustrates the contrast between the 10,000 children saved through the Kindertransport program and the 1.6 million children who tragically perished in Nazi camps.
In response to the desecration, Walter Bingham, a centenarian Holocaust survivor, lamented, “It’s a terrible thing to happen but unfortunately not surprising. I am sure the culprits are ignorant of its true meaning or history. I hope the police will manage to catch them.”
Another survivor, George Shefi, who was rescued by the Kindertransport as a young child, decried the incident as “scandalous” and urged Germany to champion democratic values. For Shefi, the vandalism is not just an assault on a monument, but a deeply personal affront to his own history and survival.
Revital Yakhin Krakowski, Deputy Director General of the International March of The Living, underscored the deliberate nature of the attack, declaring, “The monument was not vandalized by accident, the damage to it was intended to weaken the Jewish spirit by damaging the most important symbols to us. There is a clear connection between the denial of the Holocaust and the denial of the acts of terrorism on October 7.”
The violation of the Kindertransport memorial serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing battle against antisemitism and the significance of preserving historical symbols. As the world grapples with escalating tensions and divisive conflicts, it is crucial to safeguard the legacies of those who suffered during one of the darkest periods in human history.
The act of vandalism is a stark example of the broader issues of prejudice and ignorance that continue to plague society. By standing together in support of the survivors and their families, we can send a powerful message that such hateful actions will not go unchallenged. Let us honour the memory of the past by rejecting hatred and intolerance in the present, and work towards a future where all monuments, regardless of their history, are treated with the respect they deserve.
