I mentioned in a previous blog posting, on 25 November, that - through the Holocaust Educational Trust - I had been privileged to meet, Mr Ben Hefglott, a Polish survivor of the concentration camps. After the war was over, Mr Hefglott subsequently became a British Olympic Athlete.
I thought of this great man when reading that the sign above the entrance to Auschwitz 'Arbeit Macht Frei' (work sets you free), had been stolen.
The gates to Auschwitz stood as a testament to the nature of the Nazi regime, and 'Arbeit Macht Frei' represented the means by which the Nazis manipulated the power of words for their own ends.
I have little doubt that the sign was taken by those who wish to deny away the Holocaust - something that has become ever more common place. But this wanton act should not be seen in isolation.
If Holocaust deniers were confined to a handful of Neo-Nazis that would be bad enough. Unfortunately we now have a commentariat and rulers of major countries (such as President Ahmadinejad of Iran), making Holocaust denial a major industry.
The seamless link in the chain is thus made starting in Auschwitz: some thugs steal a major symbol of the concentration camp, some so-called historians try to establish an intellectual framework around the denial, whilst totalitarians around the world are given the armour in which to proclaim the Holocaust is a lie.
But, however many symbols of the genocide are stolen, however many revisionists books are written, as long as we have the testament of survivors like Mr Hefglott, the truth will never be vanquished. 'Truth Conquers All' are three words which will triumph over 'Arbeit Macht Frei'.
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device
