Members of a neo-Nazi motorcycle gang marred a ceremony at the site of a former children’s concentration camp in Vught, in southern Holland, when they shouted “Heil Hitler.” The incident last weekend occurred as the Chief Rabbi of the country, Rabbi Binyamin Jacobs, was making a speech. Rabbi Jacobs paused for a few moments after the verbal barrage, and continued with his speech. A complaint was filed with police, who are investigating.
Speaking after the ceremony, Rabbi Jacobs said that he was "shocked to hear the words ‘Heil Hitler’ in the middle of my speech, especially at such a memorial service. However, in a certain way I was pleased it happened as it was an important lesson for those present.” The incident made clear that anti-Semitism was a continuing threat, he said. However, he added, “we should carry on with our lives and not let the anti-Semites win.”
Attending the ceremony were several prominent Dutch officials, including the President of the Dutch House of Representatives, Gerdi Verbeet, and the Chief Chaplain of the Dutch army, Rabbi Menachem Sebbag.
Vught was a transit camp for Jews rounded up by the Nazis in Holland. From Vught, the victims would be sent to death camps in Poland.
In June 1943, hundreds of Jewish children were sent from Vught to their deaths in the Sobibor extermination camp. Several major transports took place in November 1943 and June 1944. In July 1944, as the Allied forces approached the camp, the Nazis attempted to exterminate all the Jews being held there.
A week before the incident, a 280 year old synagogue in the town of Amersfoort was desecrated. Police are investigating that incident as well. According to the European Jewish Congress, anti-Semitism in Holland has dramatically risen in recent years.
Speaking after the ceremony, Rabbi Jacobs said that he was "shocked to hear the words ‘Heil Hitler’ in the middle of my speech, especially at such a memorial service. However, in a certain way I was pleased it happened as it was an important lesson for those present.” The incident made clear that anti-Semitism was a continuing threat, he said. However, he added, “we should carry on with our lives and not let the anti-Semites win.”
Attending the ceremony were several prominent Dutch officials, including the President of the Dutch House of Representatives, Gerdi Verbeet, and the Chief Chaplain of the Dutch army, Rabbi Menachem Sebbag.
Vught was a transit camp for Jews rounded up by the Nazis in Holland. From Vught, the victims would be sent to death camps in Poland.
In June 1943, hundreds of Jewish children were sent from Vught to their deaths in the Sobibor extermination camp. Several major transports took place in November 1943 and June 1944. In July 1944, as the Allied forces approached the camp, the Nazis attempted to exterminate all the Jews being held there.
A week before the incident, a 280 year old synagogue in the town of Amersfoort was desecrated. Police are investigating that incident as well. According to the European Jewish Congress, anti-Semitism in Holland has dramatically risen in recent years.