The chairman of the World Holocaust Remembrance Center has accused Elon Musk of insulting victims of Nazism after the billionaire told a German far-right political party that the country needed to \u201cmove beyond\u201d the \u201cguilt\u201d of the past. <\/p>\n
Musk made the comments in a surprise video address at an election campaign launch for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) on Saturday. <\/p>\n
\u201cChildren should not be guilty of the sins of their parents, let alone their great grandparents,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
\u201cThere is too much focus on past guilt, and we need to move beyond that,\u201d he added. <\/p>\n
Musk\u2019s remarks mirrored the AfD\u2019s long-held position that Germany should stop atoning for crimes committed by the Nazis in the past. <\/p>\n
Dani Dayan, the chairman of Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center, warned against any move to bury the legacy of Nazism. Writing in a post on X, which is owned by Musk, Dayan said that \u201cthe remembrance and acknowledgement of the dark past of the country and its people should be central in shaping the German society,\u201d and that \u201cfailing to do so is an insult to the victims of Nazism and a clear danger to the democratic future of Germany.\u201d <\/p>\n
Musk has taken an increasing interest in European politics and several leaders on the continent have accused him of interfering in their affairs and promoting dangerous figures. <\/p>\n
Poland\u2019s Prime Minister Donald Tusk condemned Musk\u2019s comments as \u201cominous\u201d and \u201call too familiar,\u201d noting that they came \u201conly hours before the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.\u201d <\/p>\n
In his Saturday address, Musk said it was important \u201cthat people take pride in Germany and being German,\u201d a remark that was met with rapturous cheers. <\/p>\n
Musk also addressed the issue of immigration \u2013 a key issue in Germany\u2019s upcoming general election on February 23 \u2013 urging AfD co-leader Alice Weidel and her supporters not to lose their national pride in \u201csome kind of multiculturalism that dilutes everything.\u201d <\/p>\n
It is not the first time in recent days that Musk has drawn scrutiny for his apparent support for the far-right. Last week, Musk faced a backlash after he made a gesture at a post-inauguration rally last week that some commentators said resembled a fascist salute. <\/p>\n
At a rally following US President Donald Trump\u2019s inauguration last Monday, Musk brought his right arm towards his chest and then extended it towards the audience, drawing scrutiny as the gesture bears similarities to the Nazi or Roman salute used by fascist leaders in Germany and Italy. <\/p>\n
Musk pushed back on the criticism, writing on X, \u201cthe \u2018everyone is Hitler\u2019 attack is sooo tired.\u201d <\/p>\n
German chancellor Olaf Scholz \u2013 a frequent target of Musk\u2019s barbs \u2013 told a panel at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland: \u201cEveryone is free to express their opinion in Germany and Europe, including billionaires\u2026 but we do not accept support for far-right positions.\u201d Musk responded on X: \u201cShame on Oaf Schitz!\u201d <\/p>\n
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended Musk, saying that he was \u201cfalsely smeared\u201d amid a storm of international condemnation. <\/p>\n
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) initially dismissed it as \u201can awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm.\u201d <\/p>\n
However, in response to Musk posting a series of Nazi puns to social media on Thursday, the ADL hit out at \u201cinappropriate and highly offensive jokes that trivialize the Holocaust.\u201d <\/p>\n
Despite the scrutiny, Musk has continued to voice his support for populist political movements that have galvanized numerous European elections. He has also drawn parallels between the political climate in Germany and the United States while emphasizing the global impact the approaching election could have. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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