The United States and Germany launched a new initiative Thursday to stem an alarming rise in antisemitism and Holocaust denial around the world.
The two governments announced the start of a U.S.-Germany Holocaust Dialogue that seeks to reverse the trend that gained traction during the coronavirus pandemic amid a surge in political populism across Europe and the U.S. The dialogue creates a way to develop educational and messaging tools to teach youth and others about the crimes of Nazis and their collaborators.
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The United States and Germany launched a new initiative Thursday to stem an alarming rise in antisemitism and Holocaust denial around the world.
“Holocaust denial and other forms of antisemitism often go hand in hand with homophobia, xenophobia, racism, other hatred,” said Blinken, who is the step-son of a Holocaust survivor. “It’s also a rallying cry for those who seek to tear down our democracies, which we’ve seen in both our countries, (and) often a precursor to violence.”
With advancing age severely reducing the number of Holocaust survivors and dimming first-hand memories of the atrocities, Blinken and Maas said the new dialogue would produce innovative ways to educate younger generations about the Holocaust and the troubling buildup that led to the mass extermination of Jews and others in Nazi Germany and elsewhere.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, and German Minister of Foreign Affairs Heiko Maas, right, sign an agreement during a ceremony for the launch of a U.S.-Germany Dialogue on Holocaust Issues at the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe in Berlin, Thursday, June 24, 2021. Blinken is on a week long trip in Europe traveling to Germany, France and Italy. (AP PhotoAndrew Harnik, Pool)
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, pictured, and German Minister of Foreign Affairs Heiko Maas sign an agreement during a ceremony for the launch of a U.S.-Germany Dialogue on Holocaust Issues at the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe in Berlin, Thursday, June 24, 2021. Blinken is on a week long trip in Europe traveling to Germany, France and Italy. (AP PhotoAndrew Harnik, Pool)
Holocaust Survivor Margot Friedlander, right, accompanied by German Minister of Foreign Affairs Heiko Maas, left, speaks during a ceremony for the launch of a U.S.-Germany Dialogue on Holocaust Issues at the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe in Berlin, Thursday, June 24, 2021. Blinken is on a week long trip in Europe traveling to Germany, France and Italy. (AP PhotoAndrew Harnik, Pool)
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, and German Minister of Foreign Affairs Heiko Maas, center, listen as Holocaust Survivor Margot Friedlander, right, speaks during a ceremony for the launch of a U.S.-Germany Dialogue on Holocaust Issues at the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe in Berlin, Thursday, June 24, 2021. Blinken is on a week long trip in Europe traveling to Germany, France and Italy. (AP PhotoAndrew Harnik, Pool)
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, and German Minister of Foreign Affairs Heiko Maas, center, listen as Holocaust Survivor Margot Friedlander, right, speaks during a ceremony for the launch of a U.S.-Germany Dialogue on Holocaust Issues at the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe in Berlin, Thursday, June 24, 2021. Blinken is on a week long trip in Europe traveling to Germany, France and Italy. (AP PhotoAndrew Harnik, Pool)
German Minister of Foreign Affairs Heiko Maas, left, watches as Holocaust Survivor Margot Friedlander, right, is greeted by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, second from right, after speaking at a ceremony for the launch of a U.S.-Germany Dialogue on Holocaust Issues at the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe in Berlin, Thursday, June 24, 2021. Blinken is on a week long trip in Europe traveling to Germany, France and Italy. (AP PhotoAndrew Harnik, Pool)
Holocaust Survivor Margot Friedlander, right, is greeted by German Minister of Foreign Affairs Heiko Maas, left, after speaking at a ceremony for the launch of a U.S.-Germany Dialogue on Holocaust Issues at the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe in Berlin, Thursday, June 24, 2021. Blinken is on a week long trip in Europe traveling to Germany, France and Italy. (AP PhotoAndrew Harnik, Pool)
A member of security watches as Secretary of U.S. State Antony Blinken, left, and German Minister of Foreign Affairs Heiko Maas, right, speak together as they tour the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe following a ceremony for the launch of a U.S.-Germany Dialogue on Holocaust Issues in Berlin, Thursday, June 24, 2021. Blinken is on a week long trip in Europe traveling to Germany, France and Italy. (AP PhotoAndrew Harnik, Pool)
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, and German Minister of Foreign Affairs Heiko Maas, right, speak together as they walk through the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe following a ceremony for the launch of a U.S.-Germany Dialogue on Holocaust Issues in Berlin, Thursday, June 24, 2021. Blinken is on a week long trip in Europe traveling to Germany, France and Italy. (AP PhotoAndrew Harnik, Pool)
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, and German Minister of Foreign Affairs Heiko Maas, right, speak together as they walk through the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe following a ceremony for the launch of a U.S.-Germany Dialogue on Holocaust Issues in Berlin, Thursday, June 24, 2021. Blinken is on a week long trip in Europe traveling to Germany, France and Italy. (AP PhotoAndrew Harnik, Pool)
Members of security stand guard as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, center left, and German Minister of Foreign Affairs Heiko Maas, center right, speak together as they walk through the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe following a ceremony for the launch of a U.S.-Germany Dialogue on Holocaust Issues in Berlin, Thursday, June 24, 2021. Blinken is on a week long trip in Europe traveling to Germany, France and Italy. (AP PhotoAndrew Harnik, Pool)
A member of security stands guard as Secretary of State Antony Blinken and German Minister of Foreign Affairs Heiko Maas, background, speak together as they walk through the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe following a ceremony for the launch of a U.S.-Germany Dialogue on Holocaust Issues in Berlin, Thursday, June 24, 2021. Blinken is on a week long trip in Europe traveling to Germany, France and Italy. (AP PhotoAndrew Harnik, Pool)
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, and German Minister of Foreign Affairs Heiko Maas, right, speak together as they walk through the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe following a ceremony for the launch of a U.S.-Germany Dialogue on Holocaust Issues in Berlin, Thursday, June 24, 2021. Blinken is on a week long trip in Europe traveling to Germany, France and Italy. (AP PhotoAndrew Harnik, Pool)
Holocaust Survivor Margot Friedlander steps away from the podium after speaking at a ceremony attended by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and German Minister of Foreign Affairs Heiko Maas for the launch of a U.S.-Germany Dialogue on Holocaust Issues at the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe in Berlin, Thursday, June 24, 2021. Blinken is on a week long trip in Europe traveling to Germany, France and Italy. (AP PhotoAndrew Harnik, Pool)
Holocaust Survivor Margot Friedlander steps away from the podium after speaking at a ceremony attended by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and German Minister of Foreign Affairs Heiko Maas for the launch of a U.S.-Germany Dialogue on Holocaust Issues at the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe in Berlin, Thursday, June 24, 2021. Blinken is on a week long trip in Europe traveling to Germany, France and Italy. (AP PhotoAndrew Harnik, Pool)
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, and German Minister of Foreign Affairs Heiko Maas, right, attend a ceremony for the launch of a U.S.-Germany Dialogue on Holocaust Issues at the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe in Berlin, Thursday, June 24, 2021. Blinken is on a week long trip in Europe traveling to Germany, France and Italy. (AP PhotoAndrew Harnik, Pool)
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, and German Minister of Foreign Affairs Heiko Maas, right, attend a ceremony for the launch of a U.S.-Germany Dialogue on Holocaust Issues at the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe in Berlin, Thursday, June 24, 2021. Blinken is on a week long trip in Europe traveling to Germany, France and Italy. (AP PhotoAndrew Harnik, Pool)
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, right, accompanied by German Minister of Foreign Affairs Heiko Maas, left, speaks during a ceremony for the launch of a U.S.-Germany Dialogue on Holocaust Issues at the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe in Berlin, Thursday, June 24, 2021. Blinken is on a week long trip in Europe traveling to Germany, France and Italy. (AP PhotoAndrew Harnik, Pool)
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, right, and German Minister of Foreign Affairs Heiko Maas, left, touch a wreath during a ceremony for the launch of a U.S.-Germany Dialogue on Holocaust Issues at the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe in Berlin, Thursday, June 24, 2021. Blinken is on a week long trip in Europe traveling to Germany, France and Italy. (AP PhotoAndrew Harnik, Pool)
Holocaust Survivor Margot Friedlander appears for an event with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe in Berlin, Thursday, June 24, 2021. Blinken is on a week long trip in Europe traveling to Germany, France and Italy. (AP PhotoAndrew Harnik, Pool)
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas and several Holocaust survivors were present for the launch at the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe in Berlin. All cited links between Holocaust denial, revisionism and ignorance to growing antisemitism as well as to broader discrimination against minorities.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, right, accompanied by German Minister of Foreign Affairs Heiko Maas, left, returns to his seat after speaking during a ceremony for the launch of a U.S.-Germany Dialogue on Holocaust Issues at the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe in Berlin, Thursday, June 24, 2021. Blinken is on a week long trip in Europe traveling to Germany, France and Italy. (AP PhotoAndrew Harnik, Pool)
“Holocaust denial and other forms of antisemitism often go hand in hand with homophobia, xenophobia, racism, other hatred,” said Blinken, who is the step-son of a Holocaust survivor. “It’s also a rallying cry for those who seek to tear down our democracies, which we’ve seen in both our countries, (and) often a precursor to violence.”
Maas echoed Blinken's comments, underscoring the importance of Germany — “the country of the perpetrators,” he said — taking in a leading role in the project.
“In recent years, we have seen antisemitism and racism eating into our society," Maas said. "Just think of the Yellow Star badge as seen at demonstrations against COVID measures, of the torrent of antisemitic conspiracy theories on the Internet, of the attacks on synagogues and on Jewish people living in our countries, of the rioters in front of the Bundestag or the rampaging mob in the U.S. capital.”
Holocaust Survivor Margot Friedlander speaks during a ceremony attended by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and German Minister of Foreign Affairs Heiko Maas for the launch of a U.S.-Germany Dialogue on Holocaust Issues at the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe in Berlin, Thursday, June 24, 2021. Blinken is on a week long trip in Europe traveling to Germany, France and Italy. (AP PhotoAndrew Harnik, Pool)
With advancing age severely reducing the number of Holocaust survivors and dimming first-hand memories of the atrocities, Blinken and Maas said the new dialogue would produce innovative ways to educate younger generations about the Holocaust and the troubling buildup that led to the mass extermination of Jews and others in Nazi Germany and elsewhere.
“The Shoah was not a sharp fall, but a gradual descent into darkness,” Blinken said.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, right, speaks with Holocaust Survivor Margot Friedlander, center, following a ceremony for the launch of a U.S.-Germany Dialogue on Holocaust Issues at the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe in Berlin, Thursday, June 24, 2021. Blinken is on a week long trip in Europe traveling to Germany, France and Italy. (AP PhotoAndrew Harnik, Pool)
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, and German Minister of Foreign Affairs Heiko Maas, right, sign an agreement during a ceremony for the launch of a U.S.-Germany Dialogue on Holocaust Issues at the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe in Berlin, Thursday, June 24, 2021. Blinken is on a week long trip in Europe traveling to Germany, France and Italy. (AP PhotoAndrew Harnik, Pool)
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, pictured, and German Minister of Foreign Affairs Heiko Maas sign an agreement during a ceremony for the launch of a U.S.-Germany Dialogue on Holocaust Issues at the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe in Berlin, Thursday, June 24, 2021. Blinken is on a week long trip in Europe traveling to Germany, France and Italy. (AP PhotoAndrew Harnik, Pool)
Holocaust Survivor Margot Friedlander, right, accompanied by German Minister of Foreign Affairs Heiko Maas, left, speaks during a ceremony for the launch of a U.S.-Germany Dialogue on Holocaust Issues at the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe in Berlin, Thursday, June 24, 2021. Blinken is on a week long trip in Europe traveling to Germany, France and Italy. (AP PhotoAndrew Harnik, Pool)
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, and German Minister of Foreign Affairs Heiko Maas, center, listen as Holocaust Survivor Margot Friedlander, right, speaks during a ceremony for the launch of a U.S.-Germany Dialogue on Holocaust Issues at the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe in Berlin, Thursday, June 24, 2021. Blinken is on a week long trip in Europe traveling to Germany, France and Italy. (AP PhotoAndrew Harnik, Pool)
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, and German Minister of Foreign Affairs Heiko Maas, center, listen as Holocaust Survivor Margot Friedlander, right, speaks during a ceremony for the launch of a U.S.-Germany Dialogue on Holocaust Issues at the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe in Berlin, Thursday, June 24, 2021. Blinken is on a week long trip in Europe traveling to Germany, France and Italy. (AP PhotoAndrew Harnik, Pool)
German Minister of Foreign Affairs Heiko Maas, left, watches as Holocaust Survivor Margot Friedlander, right, is greeted by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, second from right, after speaking at a ceremony for the launch of a U.S.-Germany Dialogue on Holocaust Issues at the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe in Berlin, Thursday, June 24, 2021. Blinken is on a week long trip in Europe traveling to Germany, France and Italy. (AP PhotoAndrew Harnik, Pool)
Holocaust Survivor Margot Friedlander, right, is greeted by German Minister of Foreign Affairs Heiko Maas, left, after speaking at a ceremony for the launch of a U.S.-Germany Dialogue on Holocaust Issues at the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe in Berlin, Thursday, June 24, 2021. Blinken is on a week long trip in Europe traveling to Germany, France and Italy. (AP PhotoAndrew Harnik, Pool)
A member of security watches as Secretary of U.S. State Antony Blinken, left, and German Minister of Foreign Affairs Heiko Maas, right, speak together as they tour the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe following a ceremony for the launch of a U.S.-Germany Dialogue on Holocaust Issues in Berlin, Thursday, June 24, 2021. Blinken is on a week long trip in Europe traveling to Germany, France and Italy. (AP PhotoAndrew Harnik, Pool)
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, and German Minister of Foreign Affairs Heiko Maas, right, speak together as they walk through the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe following a ceremony for the launch of a U.S.-Germany Dialogue on Holocaust Issues in Berlin, Thursday, June 24, 2021. Blinken is on a week long trip in Europe traveling to Germany, France and Italy. (AP PhotoAndrew Harnik, Pool)
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, and German Minister of Foreign Affairs Heiko Maas, right, speak together as they walk through the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe following a ceremony for the launch of a U.S.-Germany Dialogue on Holocaust Issues in Berlin, Thursday, June 24, 2021. Blinken is on a week long trip in Europe traveling to Germany, France and Italy. (AP PhotoAndrew Harnik, Pool)
Members of security stand guard as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, center left, and German Minister of Foreign Affairs Heiko Maas, center right, speak together as they walk through the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe following a ceremony for the launch of a U.S.-Germany Dialogue on Holocaust Issues in Berlin, Thursday, June 24, 2021. Blinken is on a week long trip in Europe traveling to Germany, France and Italy. (AP PhotoAndrew Harnik, Pool)
A member of security stands guard as Secretary of State Antony Blinken and German Minister of Foreign Affairs Heiko Maas, background, speak together as they walk through the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe following a ceremony for the launch of a U.S.-Germany Dialogue on Holocaust Issues in Berlin, Thursday, June 24, 2021. Blinken is on a week long trip in Europe traveling to Germany, France and Italy. (AP PhotoAndrew Harnik, Pool)
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, and German Minister of Foreign Affairs Heiko Maas, right, speak together as they walk through the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe following a ceremony for the launch of a U.S.-Germany Dialogue on Holocaust Issues in Berlin, Thursday, June 24, 2021. Blinken is on a week long trip in Europe traveling to Germany, France and Italy. (AP PhotoAndrew Harnik, Pool)
Holocaust Survivor Margot Friedlander steps away from the podium after speaking at a ceremony attended by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and German Minister of Foreign Affairs Heiko Maas for the launch of a U.S.-Germany Dialogue on Holocaust Issues at the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe in Berlin, Thursday, June 24, 2021. Blinken is on a week long trip in Europe traveling to Germany, France and Italy. (AP PhotoAndrew Harnik, Pool)
Holocaust Survivor Margot Friedlander steps away from the podium after speaking at a ceremony attended by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and German Minister of Foreign Affairs Heiko Maas for the launch of a U.S.-Germany Dialogue on Holocaust Issues at the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe in Berlin, Thursday, June 24, 2021. Blinken is on a week long trip in Europe traveling to Germany, France and Italy. (AP PhotoAndrew Harnik, Pool)
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, and German Minister of Foreign Affairs Heiko Maas, right, attend a ceremony for the launch of a U.S.-Germany Dialogue on Holocaust Issues at the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe in Berlin, Thursday, June 24, 2021. Blinken is on a week long trip in Europe traveling to Germany, France and Italy. (AP PhotoAndrew Harnik, Pool)
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, and German Minister of Foreign Affairs Heiko Maas, right, attend a ceremony for the launch of a U.S.-Germany Dialogue on Holocaust Issues at the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe in Berlin, Thursday, June 24, 2021. Blinken is on a week long trip in Europe traveling to Germany, France and Italy. (AP PhotoAndrew Harnik, Pool)
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, right, accompanied by German Minister of Foreign Affairs Heiko Maas, left, speaks during a ceremony for the launch of a U.S.-Germany Dialogue on Holocaust Issues at the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe in Berlin, Thursday, June 24, 2021. Blinken is on a week long trip in Europe traveling to Germany, France and Italy. (AP PhotoAndrew Harnik, Pool)
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, right, and German Minister of Foreign Affairs Heiko Maas, left, touch a wreath during a ceremony for the launch of a U.S.-Germany Dialogue on Holocaust Issues at the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe in Berlin, Thursday, June 24, 2021. Blinken is on a week long trip in Europe traveling to Germany, France and Italy. (AP PhotoAndrew Harnik, Pool)
Holocaust Survivor Margot Friedlander appears for an event with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe in Berlin, Thursday, June 24, 2021. Blinken is on a week long trip in Europe traveling to Germany, France and Italy. (AP PhotoAndrew Harnik, Pool)