Greece commemorated the 80th anniversary of the first deportations of Greek Jews to Auschwitz-Birkenau in Thessaloniki, the northern metropolis that lost almost its entire flourishing Jewish community.

On Sunday, March 19, thousands of locals held white balloons captioned "Never Again" and marched to the old railway station of Thessaloniki, where the deportations began on March 15, 1943. Many people left flowers on the train tracks.

The deportations were carried out in cattle wagons, each holding around 80 people forcefully crammed in. The community lost 97 percent of its members, around 50,000 people.

Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou, European Commission Vice-President Margaritis Schinas, American ambassador to Greece George Tsunis and Israel’s Science and Technology Minister Ofir Akunis were among the officials at the ceremony.

Akunis (timestamp 03:58-5:11) said: "Exaclty 80 years have passed since the terrible day when the Nazi devils sent Thessaloniki Jews to their death in Auschwitz.

"Right here, right now 80 years ago, In cold blood, with no mercy, they deported men, women, little children, entire families, erasing entire neighborhoods and Jewish communities. We are here today, to remember. Rember the unforgivable actions of the Nazis pure evil.

"And to remember the wonderful legacy and impact of Thessaloniki Jewish community.

"Thessaloniki Jewish community was also called "Jerusalem of the Balkans", being the largest Sephardic Jewish community in Europe."

Greece commemorated the 80th anniversary of the first deportations of Greek Jews to Auschwitz-Birkenau in Thessaloniki, the northern metropolis that lost almost its entire flourishing Jewish community.

Holding white balloons captioned ‘Never Again’, around a thousand people of all ages marched to the old railway station of Thessaloniki, where the deportations began on March 15, 1943. Many people left flowers on the train tracks.

The deportations were carried out in cattle wagons, each holding around 80 people forcefully crammed in. The community lost 97 percent of its members, around 50,000 people.

Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou, European Commission Vice-President Margaritis Schinas, American ambassador to Greece George Tsunis and Israel’s Science and Technology Minister Ofir Akunis, were among the officials at the ceremony.


Soundbite: Israel Science and Technology Minister, Ofir Akunis (timestamp 03:58-5:11)

"Exaclty 80 years have passed since the terrible day when the Nazi devils sent Thessaloniki Jews to their death in Auschwitz.

Right here, right now 80 years ago, In cold blood, with no mercy, they deported men, women, little children, entire families, erasing entire neighborhoods and Jewish communities. We are here today, to remember. Rember the unforgivable actions of the Nazis pure evil.

And to remember the wonderful legacy and impact of Thessaloniki Jewish community.

Thessaloniki Jewish community was also called "Jerusalem of the Balkans", being the largest Sephardic Jewish community in Europe."