On November 9, 2025, the world marked the 87th anniversary of Kristallnacht, the infamous Night of Broken Glass, when Nazi forces unleashed a wave of violence against Jewish communities across Germany. For many, the anniversary was a solemn reminder of the horrors of the Holocaust and a call to confront rising antisemitism. Yet, this year’s commemorations were shadowed by controversy and deepening divisions, both in Norway and the United States, as political leaders and survivors grappled with the legacy of the past and the realities of the present.
In Norway, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre found himself at the center of a heated debate after declining an invitation to a Kristallnacht memorial organized by the country’s Jewish community. Instead, according to reports published on November 10, 2025, Støre chose to attend an event hosted by the Norway Centre Against Racism, a state-funded organization. Although the event was billed as a stand against racism, its focus quickly shifted to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, echoing the group’s longstanding criticism of Israeli policies and leadership.
This decision drew sharp rebukes from Israel’s Foreign Ministry, which issued a statement denouncing Støre’s actions as "an affront to the memory of the Holocaust’s victims—especially the more than 750 Norwegian Jews who were deported and murdered by the Nazis and their local collaborators." The Ministry’s official account went further, accusing the Norwegian prime minister of "setting new records of moral depravity, anti-Israel hostility, and antisemitism." The statement argued that by "rejecting the requests of Norway’s Jewish community and joining the event, the prime minister sends a dangerous message that even the memory of Holocaust victims can be used for political gain, betraying his government’s pledge to fight Holocaust distortion."
Dani Dayan, chairman of the Yad Vashem World Centre for Holocaust Research, also weighed in, expressing his dismay over Støre’s participation. "I don’t remember a European leader engaging in Holocaust denigration as Norwegian PM Støre did… He misused the anniversary of the November Pogrom to partner with those that seek to leave the Jewish People stateless and defenseless again," Dayan stated, as reported by international outlets.
Norwegian journalist Rebecca Mistereggen offered a pointed critique of the day’s events, quipping, "Nothing says ‘never again’ like shouting down Jews, again." Her words reflected a sentiment shared by many in Norway’s Jewish community, who felt the prime minister’s absence at their event was not just a political misstep, but a personal slight.
Anticipating the backlash, Støre addressed the controversy during his appearance at the alternative event. He acknowledged the concerns of Norway’s Jewish community, saying, "Many Norwegian Jews made it clear they did not wish to be here today." Attempting to reassure the public, he added, "As prime minister, I want to say that my government will do everything possible to protect, support and stand by Norway’s Jews and all minorities. Norway must be a country where one can proudly say: I am Jewish." Despite this pledge, skepticism lingered among critics and community members alike, who questioned whether such assurances would translate into meaningful action.
Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, the anniversary resonated deeply with Holocaust survivors and Jewish communities in the United States. Judy Kolb, a survivor whose family story is featured at the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center, shared her perspective on the day’s significance. "I am totally depressed about what’s going on," Kolb told local media, reflecting on the parallels between past and present. Born in a Jewish ghetto in China after her parents fled Nazi Germany following Kristallnacht, Kolb’s family history is marked by both survival and loss. "They were deported, eventually ended up in Auschwitz," she recounted, noting that her grandparents, her father’s sister, her grandmother’s sister, and her husband were all killed in Nazi concentration camps. "All those family members were killed for what? For no reason," Kolb said, her voice heavy with the weight of memory.
Kolb’s reflections were accompanied by a warning about the dangers of complacency in the face of resurgent hate. "It’s absolutely incredibly horrible that people can’t see that if things don’t turn around, it could get very ugly," she cautioned. Her words struck a chord at a time when antisemitic incidents are on the rise. According to city data cited by the Anti-Defamation League, anti-Jewish hate crimes in Chicago surged by 58% last year, part of a broader trend of record-high antisemitism across the United States.
Kelley Szany, Senior Vice President of Education & Exhibitions at the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center, underscored the urgency of confronting this trend. "You can’t help but think about the rise of antisemitism today and understand that we have to also be called to action to continue to raise the alarm and our voices against it," Szany said. Her call to action echoed through the Am Shalom Synagogue in Glencoe, where a remembrance event for Kristallnacht was planned for the evening of November 10, 2025.
For Kolb, the message of Kristallnacht is as relevant now as it was in 1938. "We should all be friends regardless of our religion or where we came from. We’re people. We’re all people," she emphasized, urging unity in the face of division. Her appeal stands as a reminder that the lessons of history are not merely academic—they are a call to vigilance and compassion in a world where old hatreds can resurface in new forms.
The anniversary of Kristallnacht, then, was not simply an occasion for remembrance. It became a flashpoint for debates about political leadership, the responsibilities of memory, and the ongoing struggle against antisemitism. In Norway, the controversy surrounding Prime Minister Støre’s choices highlighted the complexities of commemorating the past in a time of present conflict. In the United States, survivors and advocates pointed to the rising tide of hate as evidence that the work of remembrance is far from finished.
As communities around the globe gathered to honor the victims of November 1938, their voices—whether raised in protest, in sorrow, or in hope—reminded the world that the promise of "never again" is not self-fulfilling. It demands vigilance, empathy, and the courage to confront injustice wherever it appears.
