Yaniv Pohoryles
It has been almost 80 years since the end of World War II, but far-right rallies are still taking place across Europe. Many of these marches display antisemitic symbols and glorify Nazism.
A special study conducted by Jewish service organization B’nai B’rith International reviewed the most extreme marches taking place in Europe each year. The common denominator that all these events share is antisemitism, xenophobia, Holocaust denial, and the adoption of Nazi and fascist symbols and ideologies.
The study highlights that while these events usually involve peaceful marches from one location to another, some participants engage in violent behavior and vandalism during the procession. On occasion, the marchers would clash with local security forces.
The researchers emphasize that one of the outcomes of these rallies is the formation of an "alternative memory" of World War II events, and the promotion of extreme ideologies.
Day of Honor - Hungary
The Day of Honor march commemorates the unsuccessful joint efforts of Hungarian and German forces to breach the Soviet blockade in 1945, towards the end of the war.
The marchers aim to commemorate the struggle of these forces against communism, with some donning uniforms of the Hungarian or German army.
However, the march is organized by an extreme right-wing organization, and some of the participants showcase Nazi symbols and messages.
The march itself takes place roughly 60 kilometers away from Budapest and gained notoriety after its members vandalized a Jewish institution during one such event.
Following these incidents, authorities have prohibited the march over the past two years. Nevertheless, members of the organization have continued congregating in Budapest and performing minor ceremonies without coordination with the police.
Memorial March for the Bombing of Dresden - Germany
The annual event held in the city of Dresden is intended to commemorate the residents of the city who lost their lives during the heavy bombings that occurred in 1945. However, some of the organizers of the event refer to it as the "Holocaust of the Bombings," a phrase that undermines the significance of the Holocaust and its memory.
Throughout the years, the organization of the event has been taken over by extremist factions who display Nazi symbols. At its highest attendance, the event has had up to 6,500 marchers. However, due to opposition towards the event and its extremist messaging, the number of participants has gradually decreased.
Despite this, the march remains a significant event for extremist activists throughout Europe, and members of organizations from other countries often travel to Dresden to participate alongside local German activists.
Lukov March - Bulgaria
The annual march held in Sofia serves as a commemoration of the extremist Bulgarian general Hristo Lukov, who was a supporter of antisemitic laws and founded the fascist Union of Bulgarian National Legions in 1935. Despite efforts to curtail it, the march takes place each year, with participation ranging from a few hundred to a peak of 2,000 individuals.
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