The International Auschwitz Committee has expressed its shock at the strong performance of far-right parties in the European elections.
"For survivors of the Holocaust and the German concentration and extermination camps, this election result is a depressing turning point," said Executive Vice President Christoph Heubner in a statement issued on Monday.
"Europe is losing and forgetting itself: in more and more countries, nationalist and far-right parties are gaining influence, which actually despise the European idea that grew out of the horrors of the World War II and the murderous horror of the camps."
Nevertheless, Europe remains the great hope for Holocaust survivors, said Heubner.
"And that is precisely why they urgently request that the other parties in the European Parliament protect this European idea and stand together against the agitation and incitement of right-wing extremist forces."
