Is It Ever Appropriate To Compare Modern Crises To The Holocaust?

Image by Forward Montage

By The Scribe June 19, 2018

In the United States, we’re currently facing a crisis: Trump’s latest policy move has resulted in thousands of children being separated from their families and kept in large cages. While it’s undeniable that the situation is terrible, there’s a debate in the Jewish community about whether or not it’s appropriate to compare the atrocities in any way to the Holocaust.

The Anti-Defamation League released a video in which children hidden during the Holocaust share just how terrible family separation policies are:

WATCH: Children separated from their parents during the Holocaust speak out about the trauma it has caused. How can anyone defend such inhumane policies? https://t.co/YjxQzAQ2s8 #FamiliesBelongTogether pic.twitter.com/QqavaIcZai

Forwarding the News

Thoughtful, balanced reporting from the Forward and around the web, bringing you updated news and analysis each day.

Terms(Required)
I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Email(Required)

— ADL (@ADL_National) June 19, 2018

And Forward columnist Elad Nehorai says we have bigger things to worry about than the appropriate use of the term:

As a Jew, I find it much more offensive that some of my fellow Jews are more upset about Holocaust comparisons than about the actual atrocities happening in our country.

— Elad Nehorai (@PopChassid) June 18, 2018

But there are some who find the comparisons to the Holocaust offensive, or just a bad idea:

One of the many reasons Holocaust analogies are a bad idea is that they let the bigots turn the debate into one over whether the analogy is correct, when the policies are in fact evil *regardless* of whether they are anything like the Holocaust. https://t.co/tfh78gcnfv

— (((Yair Rosenberg))) (@Yair_Rosenberg) June 19, 2018

What do you think?

Is it ever appropriate to compare modern crises to the Holocaust?

— The Forward (@jdforward) June 19, 2018

Have more to say? Email us.

Musings and findings from the editors of Scribe, the Forward’s curated contributor network.

A message from our Publisher & CEO Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO