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The head of the Holocaust memorial in Israel has accused Elon Musk of insulting the victims of Nazism and threatening democracy in Germany. This happened after the billionaire’s speech at the congress of the far-right Alternative for Germany party, where his words and gestures caused an international outcry, NBC News reports.
Musk’s scandalous statements and gestures
Elon Musk, speaking to members of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, said that “children should not be held responsible for the sins of their ancestors”, alluding to Germany’s Nazi past.
“There’s too much focus on guilt over past actions, and we need to get rid of that,” Musk said, causing a wave of criticism from historians, politicians and the public.
The situation was further complicated by the fact that the same week Musk was criticised for a gesture he made during a speech in Washington that many believed resembled a Nazi salute.
Reaction of the international community
Dani Dayan, the head of the Israeli Holocaust memorial Yad Vashem, responded to Musk’s words.
“Remembering and recognising a country’s dark past must be central to shaping its society. Ignoring this is not only an insult to the victims of Nazism, but also a threat to Germany’s democratic future,” he wrote on the social network X (formerly Twitter).
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk also expressed concern about the rhetoric at the AfD rally, including Musk’s statements.
“The words ‘greater Germany’ and ‘the need to forget the guilt of the Germans for Nazi crimes’ sounded all too familiar and ominous. Especially on the eve of the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz,” Tusk said.
Musk spoke to members of Alternative for Germany at a time when the party is actively promoting far-right ideology and a revisionist approach to history. His words and actions coincided with preparations for the commemoration of Holocaust victims in connection with the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.
Against the backdrop of rising populism and far-right sentiment in Europe, Musk’s statements have caused particular concern because of his influence in the world of technology and business.
