The site of the Auschwitz-Birkenau II Nazi death camp in Poland was vandalized with antisemitic graffiti on October 5.
The Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum said in a statement that the vandalism was spray-painted in English and German on the wooden barracks of the camp. The museum did not reveal the exact words that were used, but said that the vandalism featured “two references to the Old Testament” and “denial slogans.”
“Such incident – an offense against the Memorial Site – is, above all, an outrageous attack of the symbol of one of the greatest tragedies in human history and extremely painful blow to the memory of all the victims of the German Nazi Auschwitz-Birkenau camp,” the museum said.
They added that security footage of the incident is currently being reviewed and that they have reported the vandalism to the police. Conservators will later remove the graffiti from the camp. The museum is also working to better secure the area.
Statement concerning the vandalism that took place on October 5 at the Auschwitz II-Birkenau site. pic.twitter.com/bsNepIRCcL
— Auschwitz Memorial (@AuschwitzMuseum) October 5, 2021
The Anti-Defamation League tweeted that the vandalism was “horrifying” and “simply abhorrent.” “We hope those responsible are brought to justice as soon as possible.”
Horrifying to see reports of #antisemitic graffiti found on barracks at the Auschwitz-Birkenau II Nazi death camp.
This blatant act of hate is simply abhorrent and we hope those responsible are brought to justice as soon as possible.https://t.co/zKfYHtNie2— ADL (@ADL) October 6, 2021
Stop Antisemitism tweeted, “More than 1.1 million people, most of them Jews, were murdered and starved at Auschwitz. Today it was vandalized with antisemitic graffiti. A mere 80 years after the start of the Holocaust, a new generation of monsters are infecting the world with their vile antisemitism.”
More than 1.1 million people, most of them Jews, were murdered and starved at Auschwitz.
Today it was vandalized with antisemitic graffiti.
A mere 80 years after the start of the Holocaust, a new generation of monsters are infecting the world with their vile antisemitism. https://t.co/ASXdsnIjEl
— StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) October 5, 2021
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