class=”sc-3778e872-0 cgWkHT”>
Victory for Ralph Lewin (69). The president of the Swiss Federation of Israelite Communities (SIG) and other organizations have fought for years to establish a national memorial to the victims of National Socialism in Switzerland. Two weeks ago, the Federal Council first outlined what such a memorial would look like – and where it might be placed. While Ralph Lewin poses for the photographer in front of the Federal Palace, Eva Herzog, a member of the Council of States of Basel, walks by. As a former government councilor of Basel, he still has excellent contacts.
Why did it take 80 years for a decision to be made in Switzerland to build a memorial to the victims of National Socialism?
Ralph Levin: Repression mechanisms have a long tradition in Switzerland, especially with regard to World War II: the refugee policy, the Nazi gold, the trade in stolen works of art – it took Switzerland a long time to start working on everything. And everywhere outside pressure was needed.
How is that possible?
Switzerland likes to take the position: «What have we got to do with it? The perpetrators were different.”
The Bundesrat announced on April 26 that plans for a Swiss memorial for the victims of National Socialism are taking shape. A central memorial site should be created in the city of Bern. The Federal Council approved a budget of CHF 2.5 million for this purpose. The exact location will be determined soon. To this end, the federal government in the Rhine Valley, in cooperation with the canton of St. Gallen and the Jewish Museum Hohenems, is planning new offers to convey the historical events at the state border. More details are not yet known. The monument commemorates, among other things, the Swiss victims. Between 1933 and 1945, at least 409 Swiss citizens were imprisoned in a concentration camp by the Nazis. In addition, at least 340 men, women, youths and children are imprisoned in the concentration camp who were born in Switzerland, grew up here but never had Swiss nationality. But the refugees must also be remembered, thousands of whom were rejected at the Swiss border – and thus often sent to certain death.
The Bundesrat announced on April 26 that plans for a Swiss memorial for the victims of National Socialism are taking shape. A central memorial site should be created in the city of Bern. The Federal Council approved a budget of CHF 2.5 million for this purpose. The exact location will be determined soon. To this end, the federal government in the Rhine Valley, in cooperation with the canton of St. Gallen and the Jewish Museum Hohenems, is planning new offers to convey the historical events at the state border. More details are not yet known. The monument commemorates, among other things, the Swiss victims. Between 1933 and 1945, at least 409 Swiss citizens were imprisoned in a concentration camp by the Nazis. In addition, at least 340 men, women, youths and children are imprisoned in the concentration camp who were born in Switzerland, grew up here but never had Swiss nationality. But the refugees must also be remembered, thousands of whom were rejected at the Swiss border – and thus often sent to certain death.
Which is true.
But Switzerland is located in the middle of Europe, history does not pass us by. We are experiencing this again in the war in Ukraine.
Where do you see parallels?
During World War II, part of official Switzerland believed that neutrality relieved us of the obligation to assist the persecuted. Much has been improved in that regard today. When you see how many Ukrainian refugees have been welcomed with open arms. In other areas, however, we revert to patterns of behavior from the past.
Where?
Now this is my very personal opinion: it is very difficult to convey why we prohibit certain countries from re-exporting weapons to Ukraine. I understand the fear of escalation. That drives us all. But Putin must be stopped. That is what history teaches us.
Can Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine be compared to World War II?
The planned, systematic destruction of the Jewish people is incomparable. But what we should have learned in World War II: looking too long can lead to the abyss. In the Yugoslav war, for example, Europe hesitated far too long despite indications of genocide. After the Second World War everyone said: “Never again”, but that should not be an empty slogan.
“Our efforts for non-Aryans should not be on a scale disproportionate to the importance accorded to the Israelites in our national community.” This quote comes from Pierre Bonna, who was head of the Foreign Affairs Department of the Swiss Federal Administration during World War II. In summary, he says: there are hardly any Jews here, so we shouldn’t do too much work for them either.
This shows how strong the anti-Jewish currents were in Switzerland. The Swiss Jews then also had to pay for the Jewish refugees we took in. This pattern was later repeated.
What do you mean?
For a long time it was also thought that the Jewish communities should pay for their own safety, even though they are a minority with special protection needs.
What is the relationship between Swiss Jews and the authorities today?
Basically very good. At SIG we have good contacts with various federal authorities and we can express our concerns without any problems. That does not mean that all our wishes will be fulfilled. But the fact that there was a unanimous resolution in parliament for this commemoration, which was supported from SVP to SP, shows how much has happened.
The following is clear about the project so far: there must be a monument in Bern. Budget: 2.5 million francs. A place for knowledge transfer must also be created in Eastern Switzerland near Diepoldsau in St. Gallen. Budget: unclear. Until now, so vague. Are you really happy with it?
(smiles) It is an important partial success. In my “business” you have to be happy with partial successes. We now have a location in Bern, the exact location will be communicated shortly. We’re going to see what exactly you can build with 2.5 million and whether that’s enough.
Ralph Lewin has been president of the Union of Swiss Jewish Communities (SIG), the umbrella organization of Swiss Jews, since October 2020. He previously worked in politics and business, from 1997 to 2008 as a member of the canton of Basel-Stadt, from 2010 to 2017 as chairman of the board of directors of the then Bank Coop. Levin is a member of the SP. He is married with two adult children and lives in Basel.
Ralph Lewin has been president of the Union of Swiss Jewish Communities (SIG), the umbrella organization of Swiss Jews, since October 2020. He previously worked in politics and business, from 1997 to 2008 as a member of the canton of Basel-Stadt, from 2010 to 2017 as chairman of the board of directors of the then Bank Coop. Levin is a member of the SP. He is married with two adult children and lives in Basel.
What kind of monument do you want?
One that catches the eye. That makes you think. But it should not stop there. Mediation must also play a role at the Bern location. Specifically: school classes from all over Switzerland should be able to visit a place where they can learn something about the victims of National Socialism and the connections with Switzerland.
The one-off amount of CHF 2.5 million will hardly be enough for this.
Significantly larger projects were carried out in other countries. We don’t ask that. Please understand me correctly: the idea of a mediation center in eastern Switzerland is a good one – and we are very happy if the canton of St. Gallen wants to contribute financially. But the federal government won’t be able to avoid paying annual funds – otherwise you won’t be able to run a high-quality posting site. Neither in eastern Switzerland nor in Bern.
What would you say if you asked the SIG for help with funding?
I hope that the representatives of the victims will now also be allowed to pay for their own commemoration. You certainly failed there.
There are those involved who fear that there will be a dispute at the federal level about the implementation of the monument.
I do not think so. I sincerely hope that all departments will agree on good cooperation.
Until now, the project has been mainly financed by the Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs, the FDFA. How is that possible?
Can’t you ask me something simpler? (laughs) It is true that there is a lot of commitment at the FDFA. There are also personal reasons for this. In particular, Simon Geissbühler, head of the Peace and Human Rights Department of the FDFA, has done a lot for this commemoration. He is interested in the subject. He wrote a book about National Socialism in Romania. My wife’s grandmother was murdered in Romania. That’s why it touches me.
In other words: why is the interior department not involved?
We are in talks with the relevant authorities. Only so much: the mediation power is concentrated at the federal level where cultural sites have been exploited from the start. That is, at the Federal Office for Culture, which belongs to the Federal Ministry of the Interior. I sincerely hope that we will see a clear commitment here in the future.
When was the last time you were called anti-Semitic?
Since becoming SIG president, I have received two very strong letters that I have kept. Anonymously. One said Jews would buy up all the vaccines. The other compares Israel’s policies to those of the Nazis. It ends with my tongue being cut off.
What did that do to you?
That comes in. And then you wonder what’s going on in these people…
Are these letters symptomatic of anti-Semitism in Switzerland?
Maybe. Fortunately, there is little violent anti-Semitism here, so there is hardly any physical harm. In stark contrast to other European countries. But what you have to say: there are a lot of ill-considered comments from the middle of society. All Jews are rich, all Jews are hungry for power.
Where is it from?
Surveys clearly show that there are hundreds of thousands to over a million people in Switzerland who hold anti-Semitic grudges. That’s a pretty big reservoir of dormant anti-Semitism.
When will it break out?
There are many triggers. The pandemic was one. The conflict in the Middle East is one. Of course one can criticize Israel, but not in a way one would never criticize other countries.
How important is it that Nazi symbols will soon be banned in Switzerland?
It was a big step that the Motion Binder was passed in parliament, which wants to ban Nazi symbols at all times. Unfortunately, the Bundesrat was against it, which I found extremely incomprehensible. But he had a report drawn up that showed that a ban was “feasible”.
How is the ban enforced?
We want people to start with the familiar symbols – not go over every single Nazi symbol. Otherwise it will take forever for the law to take effect.
So the mess has not been addressed on this question either.
I’ve been in the position for almost three years now and I’ve learned one thing: you can’t tick off anything. Everything needs endurance. But let’s not forget: commemorating and banning Nazi symbols are two big steps we’ve taken in recent weeks.
Source:Blick
I am Liam Livingstone and I work in a news website. My main job is to write articles for the 24 Instant News. My specialty is covering politics and current affairs, which I’m passionate about. I have worked in this field for more than 5 years now and it’s been an amazing journey. With each passing day, my knowledge increases as well as my experience of the world we live in today.
