Marian Turski, a critical voice for Holocaust remembrance and social justice, passed away at the age of 98 in Warsaw. His powerful message against rising antisemitism serves as a poignant reminder for society.
Marian Turski: A Holocaust Survivor's Unyielding Call Against Antisemitism
Marian Turski: A Holocaust Survivor's Unyielding Call Against Antisemitism
Holocaust survivor Marian Turski leaves behind a legacy of advocacy against antisemitism and indifference to injustice.
Marian Turski, a Holocaust survivor who courageously returned to Poland after World War II, dedicated his life to giving voice to the victims of Nazi atrocities. He passed away on February 18 at his home in Warsaw, leaving a profound impact on human rights advocacy. Turski, aged 98, was a pivotal figure in raising awareness about antisemitism and indifference to racial injustices, as confirmed by the Polin Museum of the History of Polish Jews, where he had served on the board since 2009.
During a speech at the ceremonies marking the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz in 2020, Turski warned of a troubling increase in antisemitism’s prevalence. "Auschwitz did not fall from the sky," he noted, emphasizing that its origins lay in the seeds of minor persecutions against Jews. “It can happen anywhere,” he cautioned, urging society to protect human rights and uphold democratic principles.
“Do not be indifferent when you see historical lies,” he stressed during his discourse, encapsulating his message with what he dubbed the “11th Commandment.” Turski called upon individuals to take a stand against discrimination of any minority, emphasizing that indifference could lead to dire consequences, “before you know it, another Auschwitz will come out of the blue for you or your descendants.”
His advocacy resonated through his speeches and writings as he sought to remind the world of the dangers posed by ignorance and apathy toward suffering. His legacy is a call to vigilance against the forces of hate, an affirmation of the importance of remembrance, and an urgent reminder of the collective responsibility in safeguarding human dignity.
During a speech at the ceremonies marking the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz in 2020, Turski warned of a troubling increase in antisemitism’s prevalence. "Auschwitz did not fall from the sky," he noted, emphasizing that its origins lay in the seeds of minor persecutions against Jews. “It can happen anywhere,” he cautioned, urging society to protect human rights and uphold democratic principles.
“Do not be indifferent when you see historical lies,” he stressed during his discourse, encapsulating his message with what he dubbed the “11th Commandment.” Turski called upon individuals to take a stand against discrimination of any minority, emphasizing that indifference could lead to dire consequences, “before you know it, another Auschwitz will come out of the blue for you or your descendants.”
His advocacy resonated through his speeches and writings as he sought to remind the world of the dangers posed by ignorance and apathy toward suffering. His legacy is a call to vigilance against the forces of hate, an affirmation of the importance of remembrance, and an urgent reminder of the collective responsibility in safeguarding human dignity.
