Beyond Remembrance: Europe Turns Holocaust Memory Into Jewish Security

As the world marks International Holocaust Remembrance Day today, European leaders say remembrance alone is no longer sufficient. With the number of living Holocaust survivors rapidly declining, responsibility for preserving historical truth and protecting Jewish life, is shifting from eyewitnesses to institutions, governments, and security systems.

That transition was underscored earlier this month when a European Union–led delegation of dozens of ambassadors and diplomats visited Israel’s Ghetto Fighters’ House Museum. The visit took place on the 84th anniversary of the Wannsee Conference, where Nazi leaders coordinated the “Final Solution,” and focused on how Holocaust memory can be preserved in the absence of direct testimony.

According to the EU, Holocaust remembrance is framed not only as a moral obligation but as a pillar of Europe’s present-day security. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has emphasized that “the memory of six million Jewish women, men, and children murdered in the Holocaust will remain a moral command for humanity and a permanent warning.” She added: “Jewish life in Europe must be able to thrive, not hide. Europe must be a safe place for Jews and for people of all faiths.”

That approach is reflected in the EU’s long-term strategy on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life, which includes 90 actions implemented across member states. The strategy is built on preventing antisemitism, protecting Jewish communities, and strengthening Holocaust education and remembrance. EU officials stress that physical security is a prerequisite for Jewish life, leading to increased funding for the protection of synagogues, schools, community institutions, and heritage sites.

During the visit to the Ghetto Fighters’ House, EU Ambassador to Israel Michael Mann said the goal is practical and immediate. “Our goal is to ensure that every Jew in Europe can live in complete security, without fear, and with pride in their identity and heritage,” he said. Standing at the museum, Mann added: “In this place, we see how memory meets heroism. Education and commemoration are the only ways to ensure that the lessons of the past are translated into security for Jewish communities today.”

EU officials also pointed to the digital sphere as a growing front in the fight against antisemitism. Holocaust distortion and denial online have become a persistent challenge. Mann warned that “there is no conflict or political argument that can justify distortion, minimization, or cynical use of one of the darkest chapters in European history.” In response, the EU is expanding a network of “trusted flaggers” tasked with identifying and removing antisemitic content across European languages.

The strategy is backed by concrete projects and funding. According to reports, the EU has allocated more than €28 million for 2026 alone for Holocaust remembrance, education, and research initiatives. These include the establishment of a new Holocaust museum in Thessaloniki and the opening of a Shtetl Museum in Lithuania, both dedicated to preserving the memory of Jewish communities destroyed during the war.

In Israel, the EU has contributed €10 million to a major project at Yad Vashem’s Valley of the Communities. The initiative includes an immersive audiovisual installation and a future educational center focused on Jewish life destroyed in Europe and North Africa. EU antisemitism coordinator Dr. Katharina von Schnurbein summarized the approach succinctly: “Memory alone is not enough.”

Yigal Cohen, director-general of the Ghetto Fighters’ House, said the visit highlighted the responsibility now resting on institutions. The place where memory meets resistance, he noted, is where education can ensure that Holocaust remembrance remains accurate, relevant, and meaningful for future generations.