Berlin Memorial Marks 85th Anniversary of Nazi Deportations
Translated & summarized from Jüdische Allgemeine by baba
Officials in Berlin commemorated the 85th anniversary of the systematic Nazi deportations of Jews from the city at the "Gleis 17" memorial. Speakers, including the Israeli Ambassador and the President of the Federal Constitutional Court, warned against rising antisemitism and indifference. Approximately 10,000 Jews were deported from Grunewald station during the Nazi era, with tens of thousands more deported from other Berlin locations.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Berlin officials and dignitaries marked the 85th anniversary of Nazi deportations of Jews at the "Gleis 17" memorial.
- Israeli Ambassador Ron Prosor and other speakers warned against rising antisemitism and indifference.
- The "Gleis 17" memorial honors 10,000 Jews deported from Grunewald station during the Nazi era.
- Stephan Harbarth noted the deportations marked the start of systematic mass extermination.
- Deborah Hartmann warned of a fragile remembrance culture amid rising antisemitism and the AfD's growth.
Officials and public figures gathered at the "Gleis 17" (Platform 17) memorial in Berlin to commemorate the 85th anniversary of the systematic Nazi deportations of Jews from the capital. The ceremony, held at Grunewald station, saw Berlin's Governing Mayor Kai Wegner, President of the Federal Constitutional Court Stephan Harbarth, and Israeli Ambassador Ron Prosor lay down flowers.
In his address, Harbarth emphasized that the deportations, which began in 1941 from Berlin and other European cities, marked the start of a "systematic mass extermination negating all humanity." He urged attendees to learn from this history and remain vigilant against racism, indifference, and prejudice. Harbarth specifically highlighted the ongoing need to combat antisemitism and noted the disturbing reality that public Jewish life in Germany still requires police protection.
Deborah Hartmann, Director of the Wannsee House Memorial and Educational Site, issued a warning about the fragility of remembrance culture, citing the rise of the AfD party and increasing antisemitism. Ambassador Prosor echoed these concerns, stating that the responsibility imposed by the memorial site extends beyond commemorative events. He asserted that this responsibility is fulfilled only when Jewish life in Germany can be lived freely, safely, and without fear.
The "Gleis 17" memorial at Grunewald station honors approximately 10,000 Jewish men and women who were deported by train from Berlin to extermination camps during the Nazi regime. An additional 30,000 Jews were forcibly transported from Moabit freight station, and about 10,000 from Anhalter Bahnhof. The memorial, inaugurated in 1998, features 186 cast-iron plates detailing the dates and destinations of these transports in chronological order.