The Fifth World Holocaust Forum, entitled “Remembering the Holocaust: Fighting Antisemitism,” is taking place at Yad Vashem on 23 January 2020 to mark the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz and International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

On January 23, 2020 in Jerusalem, Israel, there will be held the Fifth World Holocaust Forum, entitled “Remembering the Holocaust, Fighting Antisemitism”.

As the world marks the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, the message is clear – antisemitism has no place in our global society.

This historic event takes place against the background of the rise in hateful and violent expressions of antisemitism, especially in Europe. Given this alarming situation, efforts to educate about the dangers of antisemitism, racism and xenophobia and foster Holocaust commemoration, education and research have made this event more crucial and relevant than ever.

The Holocaust, aimed at the total annihilation of all Jews everywhere, and the eradication of their culture and history, was fueled by extreme racist antisemitism. In the aftermath of the Second World War, the international community enacted universal principles and instituted international organizations with the express purpose of averting future crimes against humanity. The ways in which antisemitism has persisted since the war and proliferated over recent years need to be identified, studied and understood. World leaders must be alert to antisemitism’s current manifestations, and remain resolute in combatting it where it appears. It is the responsibility of all humanity, and especially the leaders that are gathering at Yad Vashem, to work to fight antisemitism, racism and xenophobia.