Theft of Infamous Sign at Auschwitz Sparks Outrage in Israel

[scandal 951]

http://www1.voanews.com/english/news/middl...d-79648697.html

Theft of Infamous Sign at Auschwitz Sparks Outrage in Israel

The Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem expresses shock over the theft of the iron sign, which reads 'ARBEIT MACHT FREI' or 'Work makes you free.' Yad Vashem director Avner Shalev says the theft is "an attack on the memory of the Holocaust."

The theft of a key symbol at a Nazi death camp in Poland has sparked outrage in Israel.

The Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem expressed shock over the theft of the infamous iron sign at Auschwitz, which reads "ARBEIT MACHT FREI" or "Work makes you free." Yad Vashem director Avner Shalev said the theft is "an attack on the memory of the Holocaust."

Shalev told Israel's Army Radio that the theft was apparently carried out by "Neo-Nazi anti-Semites who want to destroy democracy in Europe and return to a period of murder and chaos."

Six million Jews were killed by the Nazis during the Holocaust, including about a million at the Auschwitz death camp in Poland.

Christine Alkassis, deputy curator of the Auschwitz Museum, told Israel Radio that the staff at the museum is shocked and outraged by the theft of a symbol of the Holocaust.

Museum officials say the thieves entered Auschwitz before dawn and ripped the sign off its foundation. They carried it 300 meters to an opening in a barbed-wire fence. A getaway vehicle was waiting on the road nearby.

Holocaust organizations in Israel demanded that the Polish authorities apprehend and severely punish the perpetrators. They called on the nations of the world to step up the fight against anti-Semitism so the events of the Holocaust will never happen again.

[alienlovechild 75]

Shalev told Israel's Army Radio that the theft was apparently carried out by "Neo-Nazi anti-Semites who want to destroy democracy in Europe and return to a period of murder and chaos."

All that caused by one stolen sign and they don't really know who did it.

[scandal 951]

Shalev told Israel's Army Radio that the theft was apparently carried out by "Neo-Nazi anti-Semites who want to destroy democracy in Europe and return to a period of murder and chaos."

All that caused by one stolen sign and they don't really know who did it.

Just goes to show that people overseas can jump to conclusions just as well as people in America can

[thongd4me 69]

That sign is so famous that I knew what it was before reading the post.

I'm actually surprised it wasn't stolen before, because nothing in the way of crime is surprising with regard to what won't be stolen.

In Japan (arubito) and Korea (arobitu) the words for part time work were borrowed from the German (not stolen).

Some might say Auschwitz won't be the same without the original sign, but nobody can change history by such a theft.

There are other signs like that in other camps that exist today as museums but it looks like the one in Auschwitz was

easier to be removed.

Wiki on the sign

I can't imagine someone wanting to buy it because the only purpose of

ownership would be to brag (for what reason is beyond me)

and you can't brag about such an item without risk of getting outed.

For example, if it fell into the hands of a person who was a professional

holocaust denier, wouldn't possession indicate acknowledgment of that history?

If the purpose of such a person was to melt down the metal for scrap,

wouldn't that somewhat reduce it's value to the owner as stolen goods?

Very sad story

[alienlovechild 75]

There are other signs like that in other camps that exist today as museums but it looks like the one in Auschwitz was

easier to be removed.

They'd have a harder time stealing the one at Buchenwald. It's set in a heavy iron gate with the words "Jedem Mach Sein" or "To each his own" if my memory is correct.

[jundp 191]

Every labor, concentration, and death camp has an "Arbeit macht frei" sign. Some are painted, some are iron, and some have additional words. It is a symbol of the Holocaust, but I would think the memorials which have been established, such as the Stolpersteine

are more appropriate symbols.

[Danno 1,228]

Shalev told Israel's Army Radio that the theft was apparently carried out by "Neo-Nazi anti-Semites who want to destroy democracy in Europe and return to a period of murder and chaos."

All that caused by one stolen sign and they don't really know who did it.

It wouldn't surprise me to find out it was taken by some university students on a dare.

But it also would make for a heck of a trophy for some neo-Nazi group to display at their meeting site.

Can't imagine anyone taking it for any other reason, certainly it's not a candidate for resale.

[jundp 191]

Yeah, it's crazy why you'd want that sign....

[Danno 1,228]

Yeah, it's crazy why you'd want that sign....

You know it's possible that a visitor saw it was hardly secure and realizing the historical significance ....... hatched a plan to steal it, in the same way as someone might steal the Gibson guitar Elvis played in the 68' come back show if an easy-grag presented its self...... a crime of opportunity.

But I discount this as very unlikely as "locals" usually don't visit such places as a kid with a school group and a visitor would not likely have the means to pull it off.

[Nagishkaw 510]

Terrible and just so wrong.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Shalev told Israel's Army Radio that the theft was apparently carried out by "Neo-Nazi anti-Semites who want to destroy democracy in Europe and return to a period of murder and chaos."

All that caused by one stolen sign and they don't really know who did it.

Just goes to show that people overseas can jump to conclusions just as well as people in America can

I heard on the news that the police are looking into some art collectors who've been wanting the sign for a long time.

[SuperDuper! 230]

Yeah, it's crazy why you'd want that sign....

Plus, it likely has a curse that will bedevil its new owner...

[scandal 951]

Yeah, it's crazy why you'd want that sign....

Plus, it likely has a curse that will bedevil its new owner...

Do Do That Voodoo That You Do So Well ...

[ready4ONE 5,400]

I think they should fire up an oven should they catch these scumbags...

[thongd4me 69]

I think they should fire up an oven should they catch these scumbags...

Paraphrasing Hitler's words or the words of his friends by seeking to perpetuate their activities

may not win the approval of the Anti-Defamation League. I'm saddened, disappointed and

even angry to see this theft.

I know it was said in jest but to some it may strike a raw nerve.

I'm not Jewish but what would my Jewish friends have to say about that?