Dozens of European Jewish leaders urge US-based auction house to cancel auction of Nazi items

We commend our partner in Portugal for their unwavering dedication. The Oporto Jewish community welcomed seven hostage families, pledging relentless support. Here’s an excerpt from Gabriel Senderowicz Mold’s speech:

Our tireless efforts to assist the hostages:

First to alert the President & media about Portuguese citizens among hostages, urging Qatar’s aid.
Advocated for broader diplomatic ties to secure freedom for Portuguese citizens.
Expedited nationality certification for those with Sephardic roots.
Urged prompt action from the Registry Office.
Applied pressure on Portuguese authorities through media channels.
Took legal action when registry decisions fell short.

The battle continues: We’re still in court fighting for the rights of the late Ravid Katz’s family.

Following Belgian Magazine Humo’ removal of the offensive and antisemitic article by Mr Brusselmans , the European Jewish Association (EJA) acknowledged it “ as a step in the right direction” , but said the legal case against the writer, magazine and publisher would continue “until justice is properly and meaningfully served”.

EJA chairman, Rabbi Menachem Margolin said in a statement today,

The removal of the highly offensive article is a step in the right direction.

However, the author has shown zero remorse for his “thought experiment” of murdering any Jew he meets in the street. He continues to regard incitement to murder as his freedom of speech.

The magazine editors only belatedly decided to remove the offending piece after a massive public outcry.

This is all much too little, much too late.

The EJA and a coalition of concerned Jewish leaders and organisations in Belgium will continue our legal action against the writer, magazine and publisher.

We still demand a full apology from the magazine and the suspension of Mr Brusselmans.

A strong, uncompromising response is absolutely necessary lest others think they can also call publicly for the mass murder of Jews.

We will not rest until justice is properly and meaningfully served.”

A German auction of items such as Adolf Hitler’s hat and partner Eva Braun’s dresses has been sharply criticised by the European Jewish Association (EJA).

The EJA argued the items have little historical value, and would be bought by individuals who glorify Nazism.
The organisation asked Munich-based Hermann Historica to stop the auction, but it went ahead.
A silver-covered edition of Hitler’s autobiographical “Mein Kampf” was also among the items for sale.
A silver letter seal belonging to Eva Braun has sold for €10,500 (£9,003), while a silver-framed and signed photograph of Hitler sold for $46,000 (£39,442).
The chairman of the EGA, Rabbi Menachem Margolin wrote an open letter to German political leaders expressing his concerns.
Mr Margolin argued the auction is an “opportunity for people to glorify, show adulation and sentimentality for the Nazis”.
He added: “I understand that it is not illegal to buy and sell Nazi memorabilia… this is not a legal request but a moral one. It is wrong”.
The director of the auction house, Bernhard Pacher, told DPA news agency: “The largest part of the customers who shop with us are museums, state collections and private collectors who really meticulously deal with the subject”.
He added there would be strict controls on the auction, to “prevent the wrong people from getting it”.
Other auction items which belonged to Adolf Hitler include a hand-written letter, a silver cigar box from his personal collection and a rental agreement for an apartment in Munich.
The 147 items specifically related to the Third Reich are part of a larger auction of over 800 German historical collectibles from 1919 onwards.
The article was published on the BBC