Prefer Jewish News on Google
Vice President Pence in ‘moving and emotional’ Dachau visit
Donald Trump's right-hand man visited the former Nazi camp's barracks, crematorium, and gas chamber
Vice President Mike Pence visited the site of a Nazi concentration camp in Germany.
Pence, his wife Karen, and their daughter Charlotte arrived at Dachau, located near Munich, on Sunday morning. Pence was attending the Munich Security Conference, and was scheduled to travel on to Brussels later Sunday for meetings with NATO and European Union officials.
They were greeted by Karl Freller, the director of the Foundation of Bavarian Memorial Sites, who read an introduction detailing the camp’s history. They were accompanied by Abba Naor, a survivor of Dachau who now lives in Israel.
Pence did not speak publicly during the visit.
The Pences visited the International Memorial at the center of camp, where they laid a wreath. They also visited a Jewish memorial and a Catholic memorial on the grounds, and attended a service at the Church of Reconciliation, located on the camp grounds.
They also toured the barracks, a crematorium, and a gas chamber.
Naor described to Pence the work he did at the camp, and a typical meal, which he said was a slice of bread. “If it was a miracle that we survived, I don’t know” what it was, Naor said.
Dachau was established in 1933, and served as the model for all other Nazi camps. Over 200,000 people from across Europe were imprisoned in Dachau and over 41,000 killed. U.S. soldiers liberated Dachau in April 1945.
The visit comes after an outcry over the Trump Administration’s statement issued last month for international Holocaust Remembrance Day, which did not specifically mention Jews.
Moving and emotional tour of Dachau today. We can never forget atrocities against Jews and others in the Holocaust. pic.twitter.com/69GWN2DKDF
— Vice President Mike Pence Archived (@VP45) February 19, 2017
https://twitter.com/VP/status/833334131132157953
Keep community journalism free.
Jewish News is free for everyone. No paywall. No barriers. Just trusted journalism for anyone who wants to stay connected to Jewish life in Britain.
If you value that, please support us.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Every day, we report on the issues that matter to our community. We celebrate achievements, support charities, challenge antisemitism and ensure Jewish voices are heard more widely.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help us continue to:
- Report on the stories shaping Jewish life in the UK and beyond
- Bring our community together through shared stories, events and campaigns
- Celebrate the people, culture and moments that define our community
- Support organisations doing vital work across Jewish Britain
You can make a one-off donation or become a regular supporter. Every contribution helps keep our journalism free, independent and accessible to all.
If everyone who values Jewish News gave a small amount, it would make a real difference to our future.
