Could the HOLOCAUST Happen Again? -BY AWAKE! WRITER IN SWEDEN

ON January 26-28, 2000, heads of State and representatives of 48 governments from around the world gathered in the capital of Sweden for the Stockholm International Forum on the Holocaust. Some statements from the rostrum revealed a fear that world leaders harbor of a revival of Nazism. Israel's former Prime Minister Ehud Barak said:  "This conference sends forth a universal message:  Never again to tolerate, anywhere on the face of the earth, a regime of evil and murder and discrimination among human beings on the basis of their religion, race, or color."  

Not Just a Jewish Concern

Many people around the world relate the term "Holocaust" only to Jews.  However, other were victims as well.  At a well publicized Jewish Holocaust remembrance ceremony held at the Great Synagogue of Stockholm during the forum, Sweden's prime minister suggested that a pledge be made that all archives around the world be opened up to enlighten the public on the Holocaust.  "Let us know," he said, "about the genocide of the Roma [Gypsies], the mass murder of disabled persons and the persecution and murder of homosexuals, dissidents and Jehovah's Witnesses."

The Swedish government has produced a book on the Holocaust entitled Tell Ye Your Children , which has been distributed throughout the country free of charge to all households with children.  This publication notes that Jehovah's Witnesses "refused to swear an oath of allegiance  to Hitler and Nazi Germany. Such resistance is exceptional because merely signing a document declaring their allegiance would have ended  their persecution-yet few chose this option." 

Next time: Could the HOLOCAUST Happen Again -BY AWAKE! WRITER IN SWEDEN/The Holocaust and Jehovah's Witnesses

From the Awake! magazine