US Ambassadors Tom Nides, David Friedman to co-lead the 2023 International March of the Living through Auschwitz
The current and former American ambassadors to Israel unite in support of Israel, against anti-Semitism
United States Ambassador to Israel Tom Nides and his predecessor under the Trump administration, former Ambassador David Friedman, will lead next year’s International March of the Living through the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp in Poland.
The shared initiative aims to emphasize U.S. bipartisan solidarity with Israel, as well as its commitment to combat anti-Semitism, the International March of the Living said in a statement.
The march will take place on April 18, as the organization celebrates 35 years as a torchbearer of memory and Holocaust education.
“There can be no gap in the American political system when it comes to standing up against anti-Semitism and intolerance and defending Israel,” said Nides, the Democrat ambassador. “David and I represent different sides of the political spectrum, but we are on the same side – the correct side – when it comes to standing with Israel and against prejudice and hate of any kind.”
“Tom and I have very different political views, but we fully agree that anti-Semitism is a vile scourge which we must defeat,” said Friedman, a Republican. “As we march arm in arm from Auschwitz to Birkenau with our colleagues, we will be demonstrating in the strongest terms that anti-Semitism will not be tolerated in any sector of America.”
Last year, the first-ever delegation from the United Arab Emirates joined the march to the Nazi camps. Jewish-Israeli entrepreneur – Eitan Neishlos – and former Emirati lawmaker – Ahmed Obaid Almansoori led the commemoration and jointly lit the Torch of Remembrance while pledging “Never Means Never” in Hebrew, English and Arabic.
Neishlos and Almansoori spoke with ALL ISRAEL NEWS about the experience – which took place during the Ramadan fast – and its significance to the Arab world.
Since its inception in 1988, the International March of the Living has brought students, Holocaust survivors, educators and distinguished leaders from around the world to Poland to study the history of the Holocaust.
On Holocaust Remembrance Day each year, participants march arm in arm from Auschwitz to Birkenau, among thousands of people from diverse backgrounds and faiths, in memory of the victims of the Nazi genocide and in solidarity against anti-Semitism, prejudice, bigotry and hate.
The All Israel News Staff is a team of journalists in Israel.
