What It’s About
Recent discoveries have unveiled the direct involvement of Amsterdam’s tram company, GVB, in transporting thousands of Jews, including Anne Frank and her family, to their fateful destinations during the Holocaust. These chilling revelations come alongside uncovered documents indicating the company’s post-war efforts to claim compensation. This story has emerged as part of a broader reexamination of the Netherlands’ role during this dark chapter of humanity.
Why It Matters
More than three-quarters of the Dutch Jewish population perished in the Holocaust, with the tram system—still in operation under GVB—playing a direct part in their deportation. The new evidence exposes a neglected aspect of collaboration and raises pressing questions about accountability and reparation, much like the successful efforts made with the Dutch national railway NS in 2019. This story not only sheds light on national history but also emphasizes the imperative of educating future generations about the Holocaust and the pernicious nature of antisemitism.
The Impact on Jewish Community and Ongoing Efforts for Rectification
Among the findings are records linking transports to destinations of doom, including Auschwitz, and trials to recover transport costs from the Nazis post-liberation. These revelations have inspired calls for GVB to contribute to Holocaust and antisemitism education in Holland, aiming to address historical injustices and facilitate remembrance and learning.
Community Reaction and Forward Path
The Jewish community, represented by figures such as Chanan Hertzberger, chairman of the Central Jewish Board of the Netherlands, urges dialogue with GVB towards understanding and potentially compensating the dark use of the tram system during the war. While we cannot change the atrocities of the past, recognition and acknowledgment by present entities hold key to educating and mending historical wounds.
Conclusion
As Amsterdam prepares to unveil its National Holocaust Museum and open archival data on Dutch collaboration during Nazi occupation, this discovery serves as a critical moment for reflection and action. It emphasizes the need to confront uncomfortable truths, the importance of historical accuracy, and a collective responsibility towards Holocaust remembrance and education against antisemitism.
This story was first published on jpost.com.