In a wide-ranging live discussion with key Jewish leaders and figures across the world this evening on his X (formerly Twitter)platform, European Jewish Association Chairman Rabbi Menachem Margolin asked chairman Elon Musk to come to the Auschwitz death camp “to walk there, to feel it, to understand it." Musk, reflecting on the question posed by the Rabbi gave a tentative yes to the proposal.
The EJA, one of Europe’s largest Jewish organizations representing hundreds of communities across the continent regularly brings European leaders for combined symposiums and remembrance visits to Auschwitz-Birkenau, to remember but also to find ways of combatting antisemitism and ensuring that its lessons are learned.
In a statement this evening, Rabbi Margolin welcomed Musk’s tentative commitment to join the EJA delegation, which includes many European Leaders.
“It is one thing to read a history book or see pictures. But to really understand what the end station of antisemitism looks like, to really understand the depths to which the freedom of the Jewish people was denied and obliterated, to fully understand why we Jews are so worried about antisemitism, a visit to Auschwitz is a necessary and life-changing experience.
“We have brought many European Leaders to Auschwitz-Birkenau, many of whom have never been, and it changes them. It drives them to fight the hate.
“Mr Musk has said he supports the Jewish people, and he supports Israel. I believe that him visiting our ground zero will not only help him understand better the battle ahead against antisemitism and what is at stake, but will reassure Jews everywhere that he is taking the battle seriously.
“We are very much looking forward to turning the tentative to a firm yes in the weeks ahead.”