Secretary of State Antony Blinken marked the 80th anniversary of the Bialystok ghetto uprising in Poland by emphasizing the bravery demonstrated by those who resisted Nazi Germany. In a heartfelt video statement, Blinken shared the story of his stepfather, Samuel Pisar, and how he and his family were scattered to different concentration camps after the Nazis suppressed the uprising.
Blinken recounted how Pisar’s father managed to smuggle Jewish children out of the ghetto and weapons in to aid the resistance against the German forces. He also mentioned how Pisar’s mother, in an attempt to save him from death, made him wear long pants instead of shorts to make him look older so that he would be sent to a labor camp rather than a death camp.
According to The Associated Press, Blinken’s mother, Judith Pisar, participated in the memorial events in Bialystok. The American Ambassador to Poland, Mark Brzezinski, was also present at the ceremony.
Blinken described the uprising as a rejection of dehumanization and a reaffirmation of dignity. He expressed gratitude to the city of Bialystok and its officials for commemorating this day and stressed the importance of teaching the accurate history of the Holocaust in local schools. Furthermore, he announced plans to allocate $1 million to create a virtual tour of Auschwitz-Birkenau, allowing more people to experience the profound impact of visiting the site.
Blinken concluded by remarking on the presence of Pisar’s wife and three of their grandchildren at the event in Bialystok and highlighted the ongoing responsibility to ensure that the horrors of the past are never repeated.
Eight decades have passed since the Jewish residents of Bialystok rose up against Nazi oppression, following a similar revolt in Warsaw, Poland. Both uprisings were ultimately quelled by the Nazis, leading to the deportation of survivors to death camps. The article also acknowledges the contribution of The Associated Press to the information presented.
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