Paul Kessler stood-up for Israel at an L.A. protest by Hamas-propagandized Islamists. Loay Alnaji faces manslaughter charges, but is defended by advocate C.A.I.R. affiliated attorney, Ron Bamieh Photo: NewsVCNews |
“We don’t want our past to be our children’s future,” Lauder declared, invoking the haunting words of Holocaust survivor Roman Kent. But as he surveyed the current state of the world, Lauder admitted that such hope seemed tenuous. “If Roman Kent were here and saw what’s happening to the Jewish people around the world in 2025, he would cry.”
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There has been an exponential rise in anti-Semitism in Britain since the October 7 attacks Credit: Alishia Abodunde/Getty |
But despite 'leaders" professing for years that we ought to prevent such Jew-hatred from recurring, the response to its resurgence since October 7, 2023, reveals a devastating truth: neither Jews nor gentiles have truly learned, nor not yet effectively applied the lessons of the Holocaust to thwart its resurgence.
The Silence Surrounding Islamist Antisemitism
Lauder’s address pointed to the “step-by-step progression of antisemitism” that led to Auschwitz. It began slowly, he noted: Jews excluded from universities, boycotted in businesses, and vilified in the media. It culminated in the unthinkable. Today, he warned, the signs are disturbingly similar.
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Pro-Palestinian protesters attend a “Flood Brooklyn for Gaza” demonstration, as the conflict between Israel and the terror group Hamas continues on 10/28/23. REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs |
“Silence and indifference—that’s what led to Auschwitz,” Lauder reminded his audience. He recalled the world’s muted reaction to Kristallnacht in 1938, an event that signaled the beginning of the Holocaust. “When Hitler heard that silence, he knew he could do anything he wanted with the Jews.” Today’s silence in the face of Islamist antisemitism, Lauder suggested, risks emboldening those who seek to harm Jews and dismantle the Jewish state. (Article continues).
The Weaponization of Gaza
Lauder’s speech also touched on the broader geopolitics that perpetuate this hatred. The October 7th massacre of Jewish civilians in Israel, orchestrated by Hamas, was a chilling reminder of the enduring threat. “In a very fundamental way, what happened in Israel and what happened here at Auschwitz have one common thread: the age-old hatred of Jews,” he said.
Hamas, Lauder argued, has perfected the art of using Gaza’s population as human shields, drawing Israel into defensive military operations that inevitably result in civilian casualties. This cycle, he implied, is not accidental but strategic. By sacrificing Gazan residents, Hamas garners international sympathy and secures foreign aid—aid that often ends up lining the pockets of Hamas leaders and their cronies rather than rebuilding the lives of ordinary Gazans.
This exploitation of suffering is compounded by the complicity of nations like Iran and Qatar, which fund and arm Hamas, and by the Palestinian Authority, which continues to glorify terrorism and reject peace. Lauder’s words underscored the moral and strategic failure of a world that continues to treat these entities as legitimate actors while ignoring their role in perpetuating conflict and antisemitism.
The Role of Media and Education
One of the most striking aspects of Lauder’s address was his critique of media and educational institutions. He highlighted how social media platforms amplify antisemitic rhetoric, and how biased reporting often skews public perception of Israel and the Jewish people. “Keeping opinions out of news would be a good start,” he said bluntly, calling for a return to honest, fact-based journalism.
Lauder also warned of a generational shift in attitudes toward Israel. Among Americans over 30, he noted, 87% support Israel’s right to exist. But among younger Americans, that number drops to 40%. This erosion of support, he argued, is a direct result of a failure in education. Schools and universities, influenced by activist agendas, often present a distorted view of history and geopolitics, leaving young people vulnerable to misinformation.
“Education—serious, honest education—is the only way to correct this,” Lauder emphasized. Without it, the lessons of Auschwitz risk being forgotten, and the hatred that led to its horrors may resurface.
A Call to Action
Lauder’s speech ended with a powerful call to action. He urged Jews and non-Jews alike to confront antisemitism wherever it arises, to reject indifference, and to stand united against hatred. “We can leave here and go back to our 50 different countries and assume it’s not our problem, or we can leave here united in our determination to stop this hate rising up in our world.”
He reminded his audience that the lessons of Auschwitz are not just for Jews. “Jews are the canaries in the coal mine,” he said. “When the canary dies, miners know they have to get out of that mine as fast as possible. That canary died 15 months ago on October 7th. And that is the most consequential warning for the entire world.”
A Warning for the Future
Lauder’s speech was a sobering reminder of the fragility of civilization and the ease with which hatred can take root when left unchecked. It was a plea for vigilance, for moral courage, and for an unflinching acknowledgment of uncomfortable truths—truths about the sources of modern antisemitism, the complicity of media and institutions, and the urgent need for education and action.
As the ceremony concluded, Lauder left the audience with a simple yet profound challenge: to ensure that the horrors of the past do not become the future. “Let today be the day we all—world leaders and ordinary citizens, Jewish and non-Jewish, old and young—make a solemn pledge to stop this now, before it’s too late.
Yet, despite professing for years that we must prevent such hatred from recurring, the response to its resurgence since October 7, 2023, reveals a devastating truth: neither Jews nor gentiles have truly learned the lessons of the Holocaust. The same scapegoating of Jews by tyrannical movements to amass power — so evident in Nazi Europe — has reemerged, now masked in the guise of anti-Zionism and indifference to Islamist Jew-hatred. We have neither developed nor applied the methods necessary to thwart this widespread incitement and the violent, attitudinal manifestations of anti-Jewish hostility.
The complacency of our societies, in failing to confront this threat with moral clarity and decisive action, risks allowing history to repeat itself. What is needed now is not only moral courage but also new methods and new leadership—leaders who will act decisively to counter antisemitism in all its forms and ensure that humanity does not repeat its darkest chapters.
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