Trudeau, Tusk warn of rising anti-semitism, ‘never again’ pledge fades
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk issued a warning as the world’s pledge to prevent another Holocaust is crumbling as anti-semitism surges worldwide.
The leaders spoke in Warsaw a day after attending ceremonies marking the eightieth anniversary of Auschwitz’s liberation.
They stressed that hatred, fueled by recent violence and “far-right” movements, threatens to erase the “never again” vow made after six million Jews were murdered in the Holocaust.
“The Holocaust didn’t happen by accident. It took years of attacking democracy, twisting institutions, and stripping humanity from people,” said Trudeau.
“Now, we’re seeing those same dangerous trends return.”
Trudeau described conversations with children of Holocaust survivors who fear their ancestors suffering is being forgotten.
Trudeau said anti-semitism has spiked since Hamas’s deadly October 7 attack on Israel, alongside Holocaust denialism, and racism targeting other groups.
“We haven’t pushed back hard enough,” said Trudeau.
Trudeau pointed out that there’s new funding for anti-racism programs, Holocaust education, and a March summit on anti-semitism as steps to combat hate towards the Jewish people.
Tusk pointed to Europe’s growing far-right influence as a flashing red light.
Tusk singled out Germany’s Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which polls second in Germany behind the Christian Democratic Union and promotes policies to limit immigration.
The AfD recently received praise from tech billionaire Elon Musk, who told an AfD event that Germany focuses “too much on past guilt” and called multiculturalism a threat to national culture.
“These politicians are excited about Nazi ideas. They’re gaining power, and we must sound the alarm,” said Tusk through a translator.
AfD currently sits at 23% support in polls, trailing the centre-right Christian Democratic Union by 6 points.
Trudeau recalled visiting Auschwitz in 2017, believing then that the “never again” promise was widely supported.
“Now, people tell me it’s slipping away,” said Trudeau, urging democracies to defend “inclusive values.”
Both leaders stressed that stopping hatred requires confronting lies and protecting minorities.
“After Auschwitz, we said ‘never again.’ But if we stay silent now, we’ll fail,” said Trudeau.
The warning comes amid global tensions.
In Canada, reports of anti-semitic attacks have tripled since October 7, according to Jewish advocacy groups, including gunshots at Jewish schools.
Similar spikes have hit the U.S., Europe, and Australia.
Critics argue governments must act faster.
“Funding programs isn’t enough when hate crimes are rising daily,” said Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre in a recent statement.
