Statement

2009

ITF Chair’s Statement regarding Vandalism and Theft in Auschwitz

The ITF strongly condemns the vandalism of Holocaust related sites and express the pressing need to counter Holocaust distortion.

As the Chair of the Task Force for International Cooperation on Holocaust Education, Remembrance, and Research (formerly ITF, now IHRA), I am outraged that the infamous sign “Arbeit Macht Frei” over one of Auschwitz’ main gates has been stolen. Having visited Auschwitz recently I can testify to the power of that sign. It bears witness to the unprecedented mass murder of over a million innocent civilians in Auschwitz-Birkenau during the Second World War. This horrible and shameful act of vandalism must be strongly condemned.