Marian Turski: A Voice Against Antisemitism and Holocaust Remembrance Dies at 98

Turski championed the importance of remembering horrific pasts to combat present-day indifference toward discrimination and historical truths.

Marian Turski, a prominent Holocaust survivor and advocate from Poland, died at the age of 98 on February 18 at his home in Warsaw. His passing was confirmed by the Polin Museum of the History of Polish Jews, an institution he contributed to significantly and chaired since 2009. Turski returned to Poland post-World War II, dedicating his life to ensuring the horrors faced by Jewish victims of the Nazis were never forgotten and addressing the contemporary implications of such histories.

Recently, during the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp, Turski spoke passionately about the alarming resurgence of antisemitism. "Auschwitz did not fall from the sky," he remarked, emphasizing that the atrocities began with seemingly minor acts of persecution against Jews. "If we ignore the small beginnings of injustice, we risk the rise of new horrors," Turski warned, underscoring the necessity to defend human rights and democratic ideals.

He urged society to embrace what he termed the "11th Commandment": the necessity of refusing indifference. Turski’s advocacy represented a call to action against ignorance and complacency when it comes to discrimination and lies. His legacy serves as a sobering reminder that indifference can lead to catastrophic outcomes, echoing his warning that another tragedy like Auschwitz could arise if historical lessons are overlooked.