Israel Protests Planned Lithuanian Publication of Hitler's 'Mein Kampf'

Israel's embassy in Lithuania has expressed deep anger over the planned December release of a Lithuanian translation of Adolf Hitler's "Mein Kampf." The embassy called on the Obuolys publishing house and other Lithuanian officials to act responsibly and with historical sensitivity, urging them to reconsider the decision.

In a strong statement, the Israeli mission declared that the "toxic manifesto" laid the ideological groundwork for the systematic extermination of millions, including approximately 95% of Lithuania's Jewish community. The embassy highlighted concerns about rising antisemitism, Holocaust distortion, and extremism globally, questioning the wisdom of making such a publication widely accessible. While acknowledging the importance of academic and historical research, the embassy stressed the significant difference between controlled academic study and the commercial distribution of a hate manifesto.

The Lithuanian publication, reportedly around 800 pages, includes over 1,500 footnotes, notes, and explanations by Polish historian and political scientist Eugeniusz Cezary Król. The introduction was written by Arūnas Bubnys, head of the Research Center for Genocide and Resistance of Lithuanian Residents, who also oversaw the historical accuracy of the translation.

Obuolys defended the decision, with project manager Dajva Latine stating that the text is already available online and in older editions without critical commentary. She emphasized that their edition is a critical one, not the book itself, and argued that "Mein Kampf" is a historically significant document outlining ideas that predated Hitler's rise to power and led to World War II and the Holocaust.

Lithuanian Minister of Culture commented as a private citizen, suggesting that it might not be the right time for the book's release and that controversial publications, even with critical notes, should perhaps be avoided. He noted that the academic community would examine the notes' historical context after publication, comparing the critical assessment of "Mein Kampf" to Lithuania's critical evaluation of Soviet-era books and art.