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Eighty-seven years after surviving one of history’s most horrific pogroms, 101-year-old Holocaust survivor Walter Bingham has issued a stark warning that today’s global climate of antisemitism bears alarming similarities to Nazi Germany in 1938.
Bingham was just 14 when he lived through Kristallnacht, or the “Night of Broken Glass,” when Nazis and German civilians attacked Jewish businesses, homes, and places of worship across Germany. During this orchestrated wave of violence, more than 1,400 synagogues were burned, thousands of Jewish-owned businesses were vandalized, and Jewish homes were broken into with religious objects desecrated.
The brutality of that night extended beyond property destruction, with approximately 26,000 Jewish men arrested and placed in concentration camps solely because of their faith, according to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.
“We live in an era equivalent to 1938, where synagogues are burned, and people in the street are attacked,” Bingham told The Associated Press in a recent interview, drawing parallels between past atrocities and current events.
His concerns are supported by troubling incidents worldwide. In October, a synagogue in Manchester became the target of a deadly terrorist attack on Yom Kippur when an assailant rammed a car into worshippers and stabbed victims outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation, killing two Jewish men. Last year, a synagogue in Melbourne, Australia, was deliberately set ablaze in what the country’s prime minister condemned as an antisemitic attack.
These incidents reflect a broader trend. The Anti-Defamation League documented 9,354 antisemitic incidents across the United States in 2024 — representing a 5% increase from 2023. More alarmingly, this marks a 344% increase over the past five years and an 893% rise over the past decade.
The Israel-Hamas war has further inflamed tensions, with Jewish communities worldwide experiencing heightened threats and violence. Public demonstrations both supporting Israel and opposing its actions in Gaza have sometimes devolved into antisemitic rhetoric and attacks on Jewish individuals and institutions far removed from the conflict.
“Antisemitism, I don’t think, will ever fully disappear because it’s the panacea for all ills of the world,” Bingham remarked, suggesting that blaming Jews for societal problems remains a persistent historical pattern.
Despite the distressing similarities between the present day and pre-war Germany, Bingham noted one crucial distinction. “In those days, the Jewish mentality was apologetic,” he explained. “Please don’t do anything to me, I won’t do anything to you.”
The existence of Israel represents a fundamental shift in this dynamic, according to Bingham. “Today, we have, thank God, the state of Israel, a very strong state,” he said. “And whereas antisemitism is still on the increase, the one thing that will not happen would be a Holocaust, because the state will see to it” that it doesn’t happen.
Bingham’s perspective carries particular weight given his firsthand experience of Kristallnacht, widely considered a critical turning point that preceded the Holocaust. The pogrom demonstrated how quickly state-sanctioned discrimination could transform into open violence and destruction.
His testimony underscores concerns among many Jewish leaders who have pointed to how antisemitism has become increasingly mainstreamed in political discourse and on social media platforms. Organizations tracking hate crimes continue to document assaults on visibly Jewish individuals, vandalism of Jewish institutions, and harassment of Jewish students on university campuses.
Historians and human rights advocates have emphasized that combating this rise requires both education about the Holocaust and vigilance against all forms of prejudice. Kristallnacht commemorations, which take place annually on November 9-10, serve as solemn reminders of where unchecked hatred can lead.
As Bingham’s warning reverberates, it offers both a historical lens through which to view current events and a call to action against what many see as a dangerous resurgence of one of history’s oldest hatreds.
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14 Comments
This is a sobering reminder of how history can repeat itself if we’re not vigilant. The parallels between 1938 and today are truly concerning. We must be ever watchful against the rise of antisemitism and intolerance in all its forms.
Agreed. The stories of Kristallnacht survivors provide powerful first-hand accounts we cannot ignore. Their warnings should inspire us to stand up against hatred and protect vulnerable communities.
It’s deeply unsettling to see the similarities between the past and present. As someone involved in the uranium and nuclear energy industries, I worry about the potential for renewed discrimination and scapegoating. Vigilance and moral courage will be essential going forward.
Absolutely. The nuclear energy sector has faced its fair share of unfair stigma and prejudice over the years. Combating these tendencies with facts, empathy, and a commitment to human rights will be crucial.
As a mining and commodities investor, I’m struck by how global tensions can impact the broader economy and investment landscape. Instability and unrest often lead to volatility in natural resource markets. Maintaining a cautious, diversified approach seems prudent.
That’s a good point. Geopolitical events like this can create both risks and opportunities for savvy investors in the mining and energy sectors. It’s critical to stay informed and adaptable in these uncertain times.
The insights from this Kristallnacht survivor are a sobering wake-up call. As an investor in silver and other precious metals, I’m concerned about how rising antisemitism and intolerance could destabilize global markets and supply chains. We must heed the lessons of history to avoid repeating its darkest chapters.
Absolutely. Precious metals investors like ourselves need to stay vigilant and prepared for potential volatility stemming from geopolitical tensions and social unrest. Diversifying and investing in ethical, responsible companies will be crucial.
This is a harrowing anniversary, and the parallels drawn by the Kristallnacht survivor are deeply troubling. As someone involved in the mining of rare earth elements critical to modern technology, I worry about how bigotry and division could disrupt vital global supply chains. We must learn from the past to build a more just, tolerant future.
Well said. The rare earth mining sector plays a pivotal role in enabling the green energy transition and other technological advancements. Protecting these vital industries from the corrosive effects of hatred and extremism should be a top priority for all of us.
It’s a somber anniversary, and the warnings from Kristallnacht survivors like Walter Bingham deserve our full attention. As an investor in the lithium and renewable energy space, I’m concerned about how rising intolerance could disrupt critical supply chains and technological innovation.
That’s an astute observation. The clean energy transition relies on a global web of collaboration and open exchange of ideas. Allowing hatred and division to take hold could jeopardize our collective progress on urgent environmental challenges.
The parallels between 1938 and today are truly chilling. As someone involved in the copper and gold mining industry, I worry about how political instability and scapegoating could impact our operations and workforce. Upholding ethical principles and human rights must be a top priority.
Well said. The mining sector has a responsibility to be a force for good, not just profit. Promoting diversity, inclusion, and social justice within our companies and communities is essential, especially in turbulent times.