Cypriot delegation visits Auschwitz to mark Kristallnacht anniversary

A delegation from Cyprus, including Democratic Party (DIKO) president Nikolas Papadopoulos and US Ambassador to Cyprus John Breslow, visited the Auschwitz-Birkenau memorial on Wednesday. The visit was organized by the European Jewish Association to commemorate the anniversary of Kristallnacht, the 1938 pogrom during which Nazis attacked Jewish properties and synagogues across Germany and Austria.

The delegation, which also included the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Education, Marios Panayides, and the president of the Jewish Community of Cyprus, Yaron Zeloof, was accompanied by Israel’s Ambassador to Cyprus, Shuli Davidovich. The mission serves as part of ongoing efforts to bolster Holocaust remembrance and address the surge in antisemitic incidents observed globally since October 7, 2023.

Ambassador Davidovich stated that Jewish communities currently face increased threats, forcing schools and synagogues to rely on armed security. She emphasized that the memory of the Holocaust is being distorted, necessitating a strong political response to safeguard the future. This annual trip underscores the commitment of the participating officials to confront rising intolerance and reinforce the importance of historical education.