The Anne Frank statue in Amsterdam has been vandalized for the second time in less than a month, this time with pro-Palestinian graffiti. The statue in Merwedeplein Square where Anne lived before going into hiding was tagged with the words “Free Gaza,” and her hands were painted red. This act of vandalism coincided with the 80th anniversary of the arrest of the Frank family, which adds a layer of poignancy to the incident.
Mayor of Amsterdam, Femke Halsema, condemned the act on social media, expressing her outrage and calling for anyone with information to come forward. She stated, “How can you get it in your head to make her memory so violent? Whoever it was, shame on you! There is no excuse for this. No Palestinian has been helped by smearing her precious statue.”
A resident, Leopold, expressed the pain of this act, stating, “The statue reminds us of a young girl, with ambitions and dreams. A girl who was murdered, simply because she was Jewish. The graffiti today is extra painful, on the day that Anne Frank was arrested, exactly 80 years ago today.”
The Holocaust Educational Trust and the European Jewish Congress also voiced their disapproval, labeling the act as antisemitism rather than activism, and emphasizing the disrespect it shows towards Anne Frank’s memory and the millions of Jews who perished during the Holocaust. The Independent Dutch Foundation CIDI has filed a report with the police regarding the incident.
The Anne Frank House and its surrounding monuments offer a profound connection to history for travellers visiting Amsterdam. The Anne Frank House, now a museum, attracts over a million visitors each year, eager to learn about the life of this young diarist and the broader context of the Holocaust. The statue is a poignant reminder of her legacy and the importance of tolerance and understanding in the world.
As visitors explore the city, they are encouraged to reflect on the significance of these sites and engage in conversations about the values of empathy and respect that Anne Frank’s story continues to inspire.
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