Latest news with #Holocaust
BBC News
2 hours ago
- General
- BBC News
Holocaust survivors' families visit former Kent refugee site
Families of Holocaust survivors have visited a Kent army base that helped rescue thousands of Jewish members of the Association of Jewish Refugees (AJR) visited the Kitchener Camp at Sandwich on Thursday, which had been a haven from the Nazis for their parents and grandparents in group also saw an exhibition at the town's Guildhall Museum which had materials from the Kitchener Camp Project – an online resource bringing together records and family treasures to build a picture of the unlikely website's founder Clare Weissenberg described the day's visit as "profound". "Werner, my father, always kept a suitcase of letters, documents and photographs under the bed at home, all of which never saw the light of day," she said."I was in my early 20s when he died, which is when I found paperwork with the German eagle insignia stamped on it."So I began wondering about his story."Whilst volunteering at The Wiener Holocaust Library in London, Ms Weissenberg met the author Clare Ungerson, who had been chronicling the lives of families just like hers. Hearing tales of some 4,000 others who had similarly fled to Kent to escape Hitler's campaign of ethnic cleansing was like "a cork being taken out of a bottle", she said."Afterwards I set up a Kitchener Camp website and got a great response from all over, with people sending me their own experiences."It really seemed to grab everyone's imagination and I gradually built a picture of this largely forgotten and overlooked piece of history."The Kitchener Camp rescue began in February 1939, seven months before the outbreak of World War Two and shortly after the Nazis coordinated a wave of antisemitic violence known as Kristallnacht, or the Night of Broken rescue was founded and run by the same, mainly Jewish, aid organisations that funded and coordinated the far better known Kindertransport scheme. Stephen Nelken said his father Lothar had escaped fascism and a lengthy internment at a concentration camp. "I found his diary from when he left Germany and came to Kitchener Camp," said Mr Nelken, adding that the people of Sandwich had been "very welcoming" to his dad - even buying him and his fellow refugees a round of pints at the local pub."It's really important to know what went on and that it is passed onto his grandchildren as well," he Ungerson, whose book Four Thousand Lives is about the Kitchener Camp, said she was "surprised how few of these men's descendants knew anything of what happened to their fathers, grandfathers and uncles"."And, to be so at ease with having a camp of refugees in its midst, Sandwich must have been an extraordinary place," she added.
Wall Street Journal
18 hours ago
- Politics
- Wall Street Journal
Netanyahu Passes the Begin Test
The world owes a debt of gratitude to Israel's prime minister—not Benjamin Netanyahu but Menachem Begin, who conceived Israel's nuclear nonproliferation strategy. Begin served as Israel's first right-wing prime minister, from 1977 to 1983. Three years into his tenure, he learned that Saddam Hussein's Iraq was building a nuclear reactor. 'I am tormented by this,' Begin told Parliament. 'I see before my eyes my two young nephews murdered in the Holocaust, and all the children of Israel. Back then it was gas; now it's radioactive poison.'
New York Post
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
NYC artists rally to save iconic space from uncertain fate after owners' deaths: ‘It's a cultural icon'
The fate of a massive creative space considered to be a 'cornerstone' of the famed Chelsea arts district could be in jeopardy after the property was listed for sale with the deaths of its philanthropist owners. Artists who lease studio space at the Raymond Naftali Center at 508–536 W. 26th St. in Manhattan assert late longtime landlords Raymond and Gloria Naftali vowed in their will that the site would remain available to its 250-plus artists. But that hasn't stopped the elderly couple's estate from listing the building for a cool $170 million — and its tenants now fear the new owner will bring with them devastating rent hikes or knock down the structure entirely to develop more lucrative prospects such as lux condos. Advertisement 4 Tenant-artists rally to save their beloved studio space at the Raymond Naftali Center in Chelsea. David DeTurris 'This building is so precious, it's a cultural icon,' said Scotto Mycklebust, a tenant-artist and founder of the West Chelsea Building Artists Association, at a rally this week. 'There is nothing like it in New York City. … It's changed everybody's life in the art world,' he said of the space. Advertisement Raymond Naftali, a clothing-company owner, bought the property in the 1970s, and he and his wife Gloria, a contemporary-art-gallery operator, developed it over the years to support the Big Apple's creative community, according to Artforum. Raymond died in 2003 at age 75, and Gloria, 96, passed away in 2022. The couple's holdings are now part of a philanthropic foundation that supports causes including fighting antisemitism, the outlet said. Raymond was a Holocaust survivor. 4 Artist renter Judi Harvest speaks at the 'Save the West Chelsea Building' rally Tuesday. David DeTurris Lawyers representing the Naftalis' estate did not respond to a Post request for comment. But one of the estate's legal reps told the New York Times that the current use of the building simply is 'not profitable enough.' Advertisement Judi Harvest, an artist and real-estate broker who has kept a gallery space in the 500,000-square-foot building for more than 25 years, claimed the building's 211 tenants are not getting any bargain. But she said renting elsewhere would be even more costly — and that the building is a crucial gathering place. 'It is not affordable — minimum studio rent [in the building] is $3,000,' Harvest said. 'It has never been a bargain.' 4 'This building is so precious, it's a cultural icon,' said Scotto Mycklebust, a tenant-artist and founder of the West Chelsea Building Artists Association. David DeTurris 4 City Councilman Erik Bottcher comes out in support of the artists, calling the site much more than just a building. David DeTurris Advertisement Democratic City Councilman Erik Bottcher called the building 'a cornerstone of our artist community here in Chelsea. 'I don't know that that's necessarily true, that they could go elsewhere,' the pol said of the site's artist tenants. 'And there's also something to be said about having a building [serve as] an ecosystem of artists. 'They learn from each other, they collaborate with each other, they have artist showings and gallery nights and open houses where they all benefit. That's why people come to New York City from around the world who are in the arts for buildings like this, where they have access to all these artists under one roof.' George Scheer, director of the Elizabeth Foundation of the Arts, told The Post he hopes a nonprofit organization could swoop in to help keep artists in Chelsea. 'Anything that enters the market is going to face market forces,' he said, noting that private investors are 'going to look at a bottom line – not the mission of keeping artists in studios, employed, engaged in Manhattan, specifically in Chelsea.' Bottcher said of the Naftalis' foundation members, 'We have let them know, in no uncertain terms, that we are going to fight any transaction that results in the displacement of the artist here.'
BBC News
a day ago
- General
- BBC News
Holocaust survivor Suzanne Ripton, who escaped Nazis, dies at 88
A Holocaust survivor who escaped the Nazis in 1940s France while still a young child and who later moved to the UK to make a new life has died at the age of Rappaport Ripton, was just six years old when her parents were arrested in 1942 during the Nazi occupation of Paris, but she was saved by a neighbour who hid her for several weeks under her kitchen table. After living with foster families in rural France, Ms Ripton was brought to England after the war by the Red Cross and lived in London and more recently in Phillips, from the Leeds Jewish Housing Association, said Ms Ripton, who was last year awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM), would be "sadly missed". Ms Ripton was awarded the BEM for Services to Holocaust Education and Remembrance after being a founder member of the Holocaust Survivors' Friendship Association, which later became the Holocaust Centre North in story is told in a permanent exhibition at the centre, as well as being preserved in its archive, and it forms part of learning sessions for both primary and secondary schools, including on the BBC Learning Zone. According to the Holocaust Centre North, Ms Ripton was at home in Paris in summer 1942 when French police and the SS came to arrest her parents, Millie and thanks to the courage of a neighbour, Madame Collomb, she was saved, first by being hidden under a kitchen table covered with a tablecloth for several weeks, before being moved to stay with families in the French Ripton never saw her parents again, later learning they had been taken to the Nazi death camp at Auschwitz-Birkenau, and she eventually moved to England, living in both London and January this year, a message by Ms Ripton was read on her behalf at a Holocaust Memorial Day event at the Leeds Jewish Housing Association (LJHA) where she was a resident for 13 her message, she said: "The words I want to say are, 'never forget to remember'. "LJHA and its staff have made me feel as if I belong. I have come home. Thank you." 'Deeply creative' Reacting to news of Ms Ripton's death, Simon Phillips, LJHA community engagement officer, said she "always had a smile whenever we visited her home"."She was so kind to both residents and staff," he said."She was true 'eyshet chayil' - 'woman of worth' - and will be sadly missed."Dr Alessandro Bucci, director of Holocaust Centre North, said: "We will continue to honour Suzanne's memory and the legacy of her testimony. "She loved the arts and nature, and we will ensure these remain part of how we speak about her - as a survivor, and as the remarkable, complex, and deeply creative person she was."Dr Bucci said Ms Ripton was "a woman of extraordinary courage and quiet strength. May her memory be a blessing." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Newsweek
a day ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
"Hitler" Comments Deepen NATO Ally Turkey's Feud With Israel
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan compared Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Adolf Hitler in comments on Israel's attacks on Iran, drawing a strong response and deepening the feud between the Turkish leader and Israel. Why It Matters The new friction over Israel's attacks on Iran highlights an escalating rivalry between the two U.S. allies and key Middle East powers that has also surfaced over the wars in Gaza and Syria. U.S. President Donald Trump is on good terms with both the Turkish and Israeli leaders, but Turkey is a potential adversary to Israel, already engaged in a regional arms race, expanding its domestic military production—especially in drones, missiles, and air defense—and signaling its own nuclear ambitions. People wave Palestinian, Turkish and Iranian flags during a protest in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, June 15, 2025. People wave Palestinian, Turkish and Iranian flags during a protest in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, June 15, 2025. Emrah Gurel/AP Photo What To Know "Netanyahu has long surpassed the tyrant Hitler in the crime of genocide. We hope their fate will not be the same. Hopefully, sooner or later he will appear before an international independent court," the Turkish leader said in a recent speech and on his account on X, formerly Twitter. After Israel launched an attack on Iran's nuclear program and military establishment, Erdoğan denounced Israel for "inhumane aggression" across the Middle East, telling the Emir of Qatar in a Tuesday phone call that Netanyahu has once again proven to be "the biggest threat to the region's security," according to Hurriyet Daily News. Responding, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar said: "The Sultan in his own eyes, in yet another inflammatory speech, continues to incite against Israel and against the Israeli Prime Minister. Erdogan, who has set a record in suppressing the freedoms and rights of his citizens, as well as his country's opposition, dares to preach to others. Comparisons to Hitler are strongly offensive in Israel because of the Holocaust of about six million Jews. Israel and Turkey have a complex and often tense relationship marked by periods of cooperation and sharp disagreements. While both countries have strong economic and security ties, political differences have led to frequent diplomatic rifts. On Thursday, Israel launched a fresh wave of strikes against Iran after Iran attacked Israel with a barrage of missiles, with the civilian death toll increasing on both sides. The United States is also considering whether to strike Iran. Nearly a week into the conflict, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz described Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as "the modern Hitler" and declaring that he "cannot continue to exist." What People Are Saying Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar: "The Sultan in his own eyes, in yet another inflammatory speech, continues to incite against Israel and against the Israeli Prime Minister. Erdogan, who has set a record in suppressing the freedoms and rights of his citizens, as well as his country's opposition, dares to preach to others. It is particularly ironic that someone who does not hide his imperialist ambitions, someone who invaded northern Syria and illegally holds northern Cyprus, claims to speak in the name of morality and international law. A little self-awareness could be helpful." Turkey's Foreign Ministry: "The fact that Israeli officials feel compelled to fixate on our President's statements only reaffirms the accuracy of the points raised therein. The responsibility for Netanyahu's name being mentioned alongside perpetrators of historic atrocities lies solely with himself, as he currently stands accused of crimes of genocide before international courts." What Happens Next The fallout of the worsening relationship between Turkey and Israel threatens to undermine U.S. interests in the region and increases the risk of further conflicts.
