Buchenwald Memorial Faces Fallout Over Philosopher's Disinvitation

Omri Boehm, grandson of a Holocaust survivor, was barred from speaking after Israeli government pressure, sparking debate over historical memory and political influence.

• Omri Boehm, a philosopher and grandson of a Holocaust survivor, was disinvited from speaking at the Buchenwald Memorial's 80th liberation anniversary event after Israeli government intervention.
• The Israeli government accused Boehm of relativizing the Holocaust by comparing it to the Nakba, calling his invitation an insult to the victims' memory.
• Jens-Christian Wagner, director of the Buchenwald Memorial, criticized the intervention as the worst experience in his 25 years of work, citing concerns about politicizing the event.
• The decision to disinvite Boehm was made to shield Holocaust survivors attending the event from being drawn into the controversy.
• The memorial event, scheduled for April 6, 2025, will proceed with speeches by other prominent figures, but the incident has overshadowed the commemoration.

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