We were deeply concerned by the incident involving the Israeli military delegation at the entrance to the former Auschwitz II-Birkenau camp. The Museum had not been informed in advance about the planned official ceremony involving a military formation marching with flags through the grounds of the former camp. Failure to follow the required procedures led to an unfortunate and entirely avoidable situation.
The regulations about ceremonies and commemorations at the Memorial Site clearly state that flags and banners on poles „may only be brought onto the grounds of the Museum during organized and registered ceremonies, commemorations, or assemblies.”
These measures are in place to protect the dignity, solemnity, and neutrality of the space that is the former German Nazi concentration and extermination camp. Approximately 1.1 million people were murdered here, primarily Jews, but also Poles, Roma and Sinti, Soviet prisoners of war, and others. The special safeguards exist due to numerous past attempts to misuse this historical site.
Under no circumstances can the grounds of the former camp be a space for uncoordinated manifestations or ceremonies, even those carried out with good intentions. This is in no one’s interest. What is at stake is our shared and solemn responsibility to protect this site and honor the memory of all its victims.
In this case, the organizers submitted a request solely to hold a ceremony at the monument in Birkenau at the end of their visit. The entrance into the Memorial in the form of a procession with flags and banners had not been declared in advance. Therefore, the Museum Security had to intervene (not the Polish Police).
The failure to follow procedures by the organizers was the primary cause of this completely unnecessary incident. It is clear that had they, like many others before them, submitted a request for such a ceremony, the necessary permission would have been granted.
Therefore, we appeal to all those organizing similar visits to adhere strictly to the established procedures. Doing so helps to prevent any misunderstandings, which is surely in the best interest of everyone who carries the burden of this difficult memory.
Originariamente Scritto da alastor
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