Holocaust survivor Steven Frank, who endured starvation in a concentration camp, has expressed his concern about similarities he sees between Trump’s speeches and the presence of ‘the ghost of Adolf Hitler’. Frank, now 90, lost five relatives during World War II, including his father, and draws parallels between US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and ‘Hitler’s brown shirts’ for their street operations.
Leading up to Holocaust Memorial Day, Frank issued a stark warning, stating that he believes history is repeating itself. He was famously photographed by Princess Kate to commemorate the liberation of Auschwitz, with Kate describing him as one of the most inspiring individuals she has met.
Expressing his worries about the current global situation, Frank emphasized the resemblance between the language used in Trump’s immigration policies and the rhetoric employed against Jews in the past. He condemned the recent events in Minnesota involving fatal shootings by officers, attributing his concerns to what he perceives as a resurgence of hateful ideologies.
Reflecting on his past experiences in Nazi-occupied Amsterdam, Frank recalled the initial excitement followed by the harsh realities of discrimination. He recounted the day his father was arrested and subsequently killed in Auschwitz, along with other family members. Despite enduring extreme conditions, Frank and his family managed to survive against all odds.
One particularly haunting memory for Frank was the bombing of Dresden, which left a lasting impact on his perception of death and tragedy. Amidst the horrors of the concentration camps, Frank found solace in nurturing tomato plants, a practice he continues to this day as a tribute to a fellow inmate who taught him the skill.
His granddaughter, Maggie Fleet, affectionately nicknamed him Opa-mato, unaware of the profound significance behind his tomato cultivation. Reflecting on her experiences with her grandfather, Maggie vows to carry on his legacy and message of remembrance and understanding.
Frank emphasizes the importance of educating young generations about the atrocities of the past to prevent history from repeating itself. Through his numerous school talks and personal anecdotes, he stresses the destructive nature of hatred and the importance of fostering peace and understanding.
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