64th anniversary of the Vel’ d’Hiv round-up: “anti-Semitism is not a threat, it is a reality”

In Paris, like every year, the commemoration took place at the square honoring the Jewish Martyrs of the Vélodrome d’Hiver. Hamlaoui Mékachéra, deputy minister for veterans’ affairs, representing the government, said: “Anti-Semitism is not a threat, it is a reality,” insisting on the need to “never drop our guard”.

Roger Cukierman, President of CRIF, for his part insisted on the fact that “Those responsible for the Shoah, were not only the Nazis. Those who remained indifferent have their share of responsibility.” He paid tribute to the Righteous, asking the question: “What distinguished them from the Indifferent? Neither their social condition, nor their education but their conscience, their humanity, their respect for others.”