The president of the World Holocaust Memory Center accused Elon Musk of insulting the victims of Nazism, after the billionaire told a German political party that the country needed to “overcome” the “guilt” of the past.
Musk comments on a surprise video speech during the launch of the extremely right-wing party’s election campaign for Germany (AFD) on Saturday.
“Children should not be guilty of their parents’ sins, let alone their great -grandparents,” he said.
“There is too much focus on the guilt of the past and we have to overcome it,” he added.
Musk’s observations reflect AFD’s longstanding position, according to which Germany should no longer atone for Nazis crimes in the past.
Dani Dayan, President of Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Memory Center, warned against any attempt to bury the Legacy of Nazism. In a publication on the social network X, owned by Musk, Dayan stated that “the recall and recognition of the country’s black past and its people must be fundamental in the formation of German society” and that “not doing it is an insult to victims of Nazism and a clear danger to the democratic future of Germany. ”
Musk has been increasingly interested in European politics and several continent leaders have accused him of interfering with his matters and promoting dangerous figures.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk condemned Musk’s comments as “claims” and “too familiar,” noting that “a few hours before the birthday of Auschwitz’s release.”
In her Saturday’s speech, Musk said it was important “that people are proud of Germany and being German,” a comment that was received with applause.
Musk also addressed the issue of immigration – a key issue in Germany’s upcoming general elections on February 23 – exhorting AFD co -leader Alice Weidel, and his supporters not to lose national pride in a “kind of multiculturalism that dilutes everything ”.
Elon Musk participated in the launch of the AFD campaign through a video call on Saturday (Sebastian Willnow/DPA/AP)
This is not the first time in recent days that Musk has been scrutinized for his apparent support to the far right. Last week, Musk faced a negative reaction after gesturing in a post-inauguration rally that, according to some commentators, resembled a fascist greeting.
In a rally that followed the inauguration of US President Donald Trump last Monday, Musk took his right arm to his chest and then extended him toward the public, which raised criticism, since the gesture raised It has similarities to Nazi or Roman greeting used by fascist leaders in Germany and Italy.
Musk countered the criticism, writing in X, “The attack ‘everyone is Hitler’ is very tired.”
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz – a frequent target of musk barbs – said in a panel of the world economic forum in Davos, Switzerland: “Everyone is free to express their opinion in Germany and Europe, including billionaires … but we do not accept support for far-right positions. ” Musk answered at X: “What a shame for Olaf Schitz!”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended Musk, saying he was “falsely defamed” in the middle of a storm of international convictions.
The Anti-Difamation League (ADL) initially considered that it was “a strange gesture in a moment of enthusiasm.”
However, in response to Musk’s publication of a series of Nazi puns on social networks on Thursday, ADL criticized “inappropriate and highly offensive jokes that trivialize the Holocaust”.
Despite the scrutiny, Musk continued to express his support for populist political movements that galvanized numerous European elections. It also traced parallels between the political climate in Germany and the United States, emphasizing the global impact that the approaching election may have.
Mitchell McCluskey, CNN Sebastian Shukla and Rob Pichet contributed to the report
