Emmanuel Macron calls “to give nothing in the face of anti-Semitism” in the name of “the universalism of France”

Eighty years later, the world commemorates on Monday the discovery of Auschwitz-Birkenau where ceremonies, on the very site of this former German Nazi camp, are expected to bring together around fifty survivors.

Under the historic Birkenau gateway, they will take part in an official ceremony, alongside dozens of leaders, including King Charles III and the President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, as well as the German Chancellor and President , Olaf Scholz and Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. and will bring together 54 international delegations.

“This year we are focusing on survivors and their message”Pawel Sawicki, spokesperson for the Auschwitz museum, told Agence France-Presse. “There will be no speeches from politicians”he stressed.

According to organizers, this could be the last big anniversary bringing together a large group of survivors. “We all know that in ten years, for the 90^e birthday, it will no longer be possible to have such a large group”said Mr. Sawicki.

Until the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, a Russian delegation had always attended the anniversary ceremonies, but for three years it has no longer been invited, a decision by the organizers strongly criticized by Moscow.

Rumors about the possible participation of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the ceremonies also sparked controversy. Last year, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Mr Netanyahu on suspicion of crimes against humanity and war crimes.

At the request of Polish President Andrzej Duda, the Polish government confirmed last month that it would not arrest Mr. Netanyahu in the event of a visit to Auschwitz, although it appears that the Israeli leader does not have the intention to come. Israel will be represented by its education minister, Yoav Kisch.