It was a moment of both relief and reflection. The war had cost millions of lives, and the Holocaust had left scars that would never heal. Six million Jews, along with millions of others, were murdered. The world had seen the terrifying reality of what unchecked hate and nationalism could do. And in the wake of the war, a global promise was made: Never again.On May 8, 1945, the world paused to celebrate Victory in Europe Day (V-E Day). It marked the end of World War II on the continent. After years of destruction and horror, Nazi Germany finally surrendered unconditionally. The Allies had triumphed—Hitler was dead, and Berlin was liberated.
But as the years have gone by, that promise has become more of an ideal than a reality. And right now, as we mark 80 years since V-E Day, another kind of horror is unfolding before our eyes.In Gaza and the West Bank, Palestinians are being bombed, displaced, and killed in ever-growing numbers. Cities have been flattened. Entire families wiped out. Hospitals, schools, and water systems are targeted. People are starving, and children are buried under rubble. And the world watches, largely silent.
The point in drawing this comparison is not to undermine the importance of remembering the Holocaust. It's about honoring the very lessons it was meant to teach: that genocide, apartheid, and state-sanctioned violence must never be ignored—no matter who the perpetrators are or who the victims are. The promise made in 1945 was meant to apply universally. If we are to honor that commitment, we must extend it to all.How World War II Ended—and What We Were Supposed to Learn
By the time the war ended in 1945, Europe was devastated. The Allies—mostly the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Soviet Union—had pushed back the Nazi forces on both fronts. D-Day marked the turning point, and by the time the Allies had crossed into Germany, victory was in sight. Berlin fell in April 1945, and on May 7, the Germans signed their unconditional surrender. A day later, May 8, V-E Day was declared.But while victory was celebrated, the costs were immense. Over 60 million people had died in the war, including six million Jews who were killed in concentration camps. The destruction was staggering. The brutality of Nazi Germany—the murder, the torture, the sheer scale of suffering—was like nothing the world had seen before. And yet, the horrors of the Holocaust didn’t start with death camps. It started with dehumanization, with the gradual erosion of rights, with propaganda that turned an entire people into scapegoats.
The war’s end brought about the creation of international laws and institutions like the United Nations.and the Genocide Convention. The world had learned a hard lesson, and the hope was that we would never let something like this happen again.But unfortunately, genocide didn’t end in 1945.
The end of World War II wasn’t just a victory over fascism—it was a turning point in global consciousness. It was supposed to be a lesson on the dangers of unchecked power, of propaganda and dehumanization. It was a call to action for the international community to protect the most vulnerable among us, no matter where they live or what their background is.
When we reflect on the Holocaust, we’re not just honoring the memory of the victims—we’re acknowledging the warning signs of fascism and genocide. We’re reminded that this kind of cruelty doesn’t just appear overnight. It starts with language, with propaganda, with political and social systems that strip people of their dignity and humanity.And now, in Palestine, we see similar signs. Palestinians are being demonized in the media, dehumanized by politicians, and subjected to a violence that echoes the tactics of previous genocides. We see a system of apartheid and ethnic cleansing, carried out with impunity, while the world largely looks away.
The Real Meaning of "Never Again"The promise made in 1945 was one of universal protection. It was meant to stand against all forms of mass violence, no matter the perpetrator or the victim. If we are to honor the sacrifices made in the fight against fascism, we must hold ourselves to that same standard. Whether in Gaza, the West Bank, or any place where genocide and state violence occur, we must be committed to ensuring the suffering of the oppressed does not go unanswered.
It’s easy for world leaders to commemorate V-E Day with speeches and solemn ceremonies. But when those same leaders fail to condemn genocide in Gaza or provide military support to a regime committing war crimes, their words ring hollow.We can’t just remember the past—we must act in the present. The commitment made in 1945 must apply to all people, everywhere. It’s time to show that we mean it—not just for the victims of history, but for those suffering today.
Conclusion: If We Truly Meant It, It’s Time to Prove ItThe world didn’t defeat fascism once and for all in 1945. We bought time, but we also took on a responsibility to stay vigilant. That responsibility is even more critical today. We must stand up against injustice wherever it occurs. This isn’t just about looking back at history—it’s about looking forward to a world where violence and oppression are no longer allowed to thrive.
As the world commemorates V-E Day, we must also confront the realities of today. We cannot remain silent while genocide is happening. We cannot look the other way. The promise of “Never again” must mean something—and that means applying it to all people, at all times.
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