Holocaust Survivor Relates Modern Antisemitism to Kristallnacht
A 101-year-old Holocaust survivor, Walter Bingham, reflects on the stark similarities between today’s world and Nazi Germany of 1938. After enduring the harrowing events of Kristallnacht, also known as the “Night of Broken Glass,” Bingham shares his concerns about rising antisemitism in contemporary society.
At just 14 years old, Bingham witnessed horrific acts as Nazis targeted Jewish people and their properties. During that night, over 1,400 synagogues were set ablaze, thousands of Jewish businesses were vandalized, and around 26,000 Jewish men were arrested and sent to concentration camps.
Recently, Bingham spoke with reporters, emphasizing how the current climate against Jewish communities mirrors the past. He noted, “We live in an era equivalent to 1938, where synagogues are burned, and people are attacked on the streets.”
The increase in antisemitic incidents has been alarming. The Anti-Defamation League reported over 9,300 such incidents in the United States last year alone—a 5% rise from the previous year and a staggering 893% increase over the past decade.
Bingham cited recent violent attacks, such as the deadly incident at a synagogue in Manchester, England, on Yom Kippur, where two Jewish men lost their lives. He also mentioned an incident in Australia, where a synagogue was torched—a brutal act condemned by the Prime Minister.
Despite the growth of antisemitism, Bingham maintains that today’s Jewish community is more resilient compared to the past. “In those days, the Jewish mentality was apologetic,” he explained. “Now, we have the state of Israel, which provides security for the Jewish people.”
While he recognizes that antisemitism may never fully disappear, Bingham reassures that the presence of Israel serves as a safeguard against potential atrocities. “The state will ensure that nothing like the Holocaust happens again,” he concluded.
