In honor of Yom Hashoah, over 8,000 people from around the world gathered at Auschwitz-Birkenau on Monday for the 36th International March of the Living to honor the victims of the Holocaust and to stand up against antisemitism.
As per Israel Hayom, this year’s march was led by 55 Holocaust survivors, including seven who were personally impacted by the Hamas terrorist attack in Israel on October 7. It began at Budapest’s Dohany Synagogue adjacent to the birthplace of Theodore Herzl, the father of modern Zionism, and continued through to Auschwitz. Many participants were draped in Israeli flags, and some were seen wearing “Bring Them Home Now” shirts in support of the Israeli hostages still being held by Hamas terrorists in Gaza.
Holocaust survivor Gabriella Karin told Israel Hayom that she has dedicated her life to educating the younger generation about the Holocaust.
“We are all the same. You don’t have to love everybody, but we have to respect every person on this earth. We all have a right to be here,” she said.
The ceremony came to a close at Keleti Train Station, where the first deportation of Jews from Budapest to Auschwitz took place. Six memorial torches were lit by Holocaust survivors and their families a in memory of the six million Jews who were murdered at the hands of the Nazis.
“Gathering from across the world you say clearly here today – we remain, we live, and no matter what kind of hatred and brutality we may meet – we are, and what we stand for will remain,” Israel President Isaac Herzog said via a live video stream.
Watch as 100-year-old survivor Walter Bingham recites the Hebrew memorial Kaddish prayer at the infamous Nazi extermination camp.
