Simon Wiesenthal Prize 2024: Main Prize goes to the Swiss "Gamaraal Foundation"

Vienna – The Swiss Gamaraal Foundation was awarded the Main Prize of the 2024 Simon Wiesenthal Prize in Parliament last Thursday evening. The Second President of the National Council and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the National Fund of the Republic of Austria for Victims of National Socialism, Peter Haubner, and jury chairwoman Katharina von Schnurbein presented the Main Prize, which is endowed with 15,000 euros. Antisemitism has no place in our society, and we need people who take a stand against antisemitism rather than looking the other way, Haubner demanded in his opening speech.

The Prize for Civic Engagement to Combat Antisemitism went to the British organisation Community Security Trust. The Prize for Civic Engagement to Educate the Public about the Holocaust was awarded to the Burgenland-based association RE.F.U.G.I.U.S. Special tribute was also paid to nine contemporary witnesses. In their speeches, experts emphasised the importance of remembrance and the imminent danger that antisemitism poses to democracy and society.

Haubner: Take a stand against antisemitism rather than looking the other way

Antisemitism has not been vanquished and remains a “bitter reality” of the present day. However, it should have no place in Austria, Europe or anywhere else, either today or in the future, demanded Peter Haubner, Second President of the National Council and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the National Fund of the Republic of Austria for Victims of National Socialism, in his opening speech. In a world in which antisemitic stereotypes are all too often becoming socially acceptable once more, in which conspiracy theories abound and in which the unspeakable is now sometimes being voiced, we need people who take a stand rather than looking the other way. We need people who speak out when others remain silent and who do not sweep the past under the carpet, but fight antisemitism with courage and conviction, Haubner explained. That is exactly what our prize winners do. They keep the memory of the Shoah alive, making them role models for civil courage in action. The Simon Wiesenthal Prize is much more than an award; it is a commitment to Austria’s historical responsibility to remain vigilant.

Lessing: Contemporary witnesses help us learn from history

Eight decades after the Nazi era, we are seeing a rapid rise in hatred, racism and antisemitism worldwide, stated Hannah Lessing, Managing Director of the National Fund. Democracy is being put to the test. Many Holocaust survivors have a keen eye for signs of hatred and antisemitism because they experienced similar things in their youth and suffered the painful consequences. Many of them continue to pass on their experiences to this day, enabling people to learn about history from this special source, from contemporary witnesses. Their testimonies help us learn from history. The decades of dedication shown by the eyewitnesses is also an inspiration to all those who campaign against antisemitism and racism today, promote Holocaust education and advocate to strengthen democracy. We can never thank the eyewitnesses enough for this.

Pfeffer: Remembrance is a duty

Remembrance is more than just reflecting on past events, it is a mission, stressed Judith Pfeffer, Managing Director of the National Fund. The Simon Wiesenthal Prize reminds us that every single voice counts and that remembrance remains alive when it is translated into action. Each of the 229 submissions from 32 countries is a powerful sign of civil courage, conviction and hope. Pfeffer also encouraged people to submit entries for the 2025 Simon Wiesenthal Prize, which is possible from tomorrow.

Conversation with contemporary witnesses, Wiesenthal’s granddaughter and EU Commission Coordinator on Combating Antisemitism

Antisemitism is an “age-old poison” in Europe, explained Simon Wiesenthal’s granddaughter and founder of the SWIGGI memorial initiative, Racheli Kreisberg, in a conversation with ORF journalist Lisa Gadenstätter. If antisemitism is allowed to flourish, democracy becomes diseased. Attacks on Jews put society to the test. If it is ignored, hatred spreads to other areas.

Antisemitism is a “cancerous growth” in society and must be clearly called out, said Katharina von Schnurbein, EU coordinator on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life. Antisemitic incidents have risen significantly in recent months and antisemitism is all around us in everyday life. Together with the Member States, we must ensure that antisemitism does not go unanswered. She demanded that every incident be met with an outcry from the state and not just from civil society. She was optimistic that the new legal regulations for online platforms would be effective in this respect.

In addition, contemporary witness Dirk Peter Adler described his experiences as a child and how he survived this period in Amsterdam with a Christian family who took him in and passed him off as their own child.

Main Prize goes to Swiss “Gamaraal Foundation”

The Main Prize of the Simon Wiesenthal Prize, which was presented for civic engagement to combat antisemitism and educate the public about the Holocaust, was accepted by Anita Winter, founder and president of the Gamaraal Foundation. Winter expressed her conviction that by passing on the voices and stories of survivors a wall against hatred is created, because education is not only about imparting knowledge, but also about “educating hearts”. Katharina von Schnurbein, the European Commission’s Antisemitism Commissioner and chair of the Simon Wiesenthal Prize jury, praised the initiative’s contribution to the culture of remembrance, saying that while we cannot change the past, we can certainly change the present. The Gamaraal Foundation is committed to supporting Holocaust survivors and promoting Holocaust education. With its numerous exhibitions and educational projects, including those beyond Europe, the Gamaraal Foundation addresses the experiences of survivors and places the Holocaust in a broader historical context. Its educational work aims to counteract growing antisemitism and raise awareness of prejudice.

The prize winners in the other categories: “RE.F.U.G.I.U.S.” and “Community Security Trust”

The Prize for Civic Engagement to Educate the Public about the Holocaust went to the Burgenland-based association “RE.F.U.G.I.U.S.”. Since its foundation, it has been a dedicated player in the culture of remembrance and the reappraisal of Nazi crimes. Its work focuses on the Kreuzstadl memorial as a place of remembrance and warning. The association was doing everything in its power to ensure that the crimes of the Holocaust are not forgotten locally and to enable dignified remembrance and commemoration, explained jury member and contemporary historian Brigitte Bailer. Through its more than thirty years of activity, the association has initiated and accompanied a transformation in society’s awareness of the Nazi era, explained Paul Gulda of “RE.F.U.G.I.U.S.”. Seeking justice for the expelled and murdered Jewish people was the driving force behind this commitment. Gulda called for active engagement so that future generations in the Middle East can live in peace.

The British non-profit organisation Community Security Trust was honoured for its civic engagement to combat antisemitism. It is dedicated to protecting the Jewish community in Great Britain from antisemitism and other threats. The jury emphasised that the organisation’s model as a bridge between the Jewish community and state authorities has become a role model for similar initiatives in Europe. Jewish people do not want to be seen as victims or objects of pity, declared jury member Ariel Muzicant. The Community Security Trust is a model for Jewish self-protection. The organisation protects Jewish communities from antisemitism, explained its representative Jonny Newton.

Special tribute paid to nine contemporary witnesses from three countries

Nine contemporary witnesses were also honoured as part of the Simon Wiesenthal Prize. This special recognition was awarded to Heinrich Ehlers (Austria), Erich Finsches (Austria), Don Jaffé (Germany), Felix Lee (Austria), Ludwig Popper (Austria), Josef Salomonovic (Austria), Kitty Schrott (Austria), Adolf Silberstein (Austria) and Stanislaw Zalewski (Poland). The award recognises their extraordinary personal dedication and contribution to Holocaust education, antisemitism prevention and strengthening democracy.

Source/URL: Parlamentary correspondence no. 777 dated 18.09.2025 (in German)

Links

• Video and photos of the award ceremony
• All prize winners, nominees and contemporary witnesses