NCSJ - 08.03.2010

Estonian Event Commemorates Waffen-SS

Estonian government did not participate in event

This past weekend, Estonian World War II veterans and supporters held their annual commemorative event in the Sinimäed area of Estonia. According to the Estonian government, tens of thousands lost their lives in battle in the summer of 1944 against the Soviets. We understand Estonia’s desire to memorialize its World War II soldiers, but the units who fought these battles were part of the Estonian SS Division 20, i.e. members of the Estonian Waffen SS. Furthermore, the commemoration organizers “honor” the war dead and veterans by the disturbing practice of wearing Nazi regalia and inviting Estonian and foreign neo-Nazi and extremists to join their tribute. That the Estonian government has sent greetings to and participated in these events in the past is particularly troubling.

NCSJ learned of the commemoration plans for this summer’s event and contacted Estonian and other Jewish community leaders, the State Department Baltic desk, the U.S. Embassy in Tallinn, and Estonia’s Embassy in Washington. We also sent a letter to Prime Minister Andrus Ansip, urging his government to condemn the atrocities of the Waffen-SS and not to participate in any of the events planned in their honor (see our letter at www.ncsj.org/AuxPages/072810-Ansip-Waffen-SS.pdf). The Estonian Prime Minister quickly sent us a letter back, stating that “the government is in no way connected to the organization of the event and that none of its members plans to take part in it.” See the full letter at www.ncsj.org/AuxPages/073010-Ansip-Waffen-SS.pdf.

According to NCSJ’s contacts in the Estonian and Russian Jewish communities, a few hundred veterans and their supporters attended the July 31 commemorative event. Anti-Fascist groups staged a protest; many dressed in concentration camp-style clothes and displayed photos of Nazi atrocities. (See pictures below; for the full set of photos, visit picasaweb.google.ru/wcrjmoscow/310710). Prime Minister Ansip’s government did not participate, but we received reports that members of Estonia’s parliament sent greetings and may have attended.

Protesters dressed in concentration camp clothes at the event.		A participant at the event wears a swastika emblem on his sleeve.

Nazi-affiliated commemorations in the Baltic states continue, causing distress for all of those who suffered under the Nazis. A similar event took place in Riga, Latvia at the beginning of July. These events are a rallying point for nationalists and extremists who promote ethnic and racial hatred.

NCSJ will continue to monitor events in Estonia and Latvia and any other efforts in the former Soviet Union to glorify the Third Reich. We will stay in contact with local Jewish communities and government officials. Unfortunately, it will take a long-term effort to persuade these governments that in addition to issuing condemnations, they must educate their citizens about the dangers of glorifying soldiers who fought alongside the perpetrators of the Holocaust.