Simon Wiesenthal Retires

Clancie · 19th April 2003, 07:30 AM

http://news.yahoo.com/fc?tmpl=fc&cid...&cat=holocaust

Nazi hunter Wiesenthal to retire

Renowned Nazi hunter Simon Wiesenthal says he is to retire after spending most of his life tracking down perpetrators of the Holocaust.

Mr Wiesenthal, himself imprisoned in several Nazi concentration camps during World War II, is credited for bringing several high-profile members of the Nazi leadership to justice.

But in an interview with an Austrian magazine Mr Wiesenthal, who is now 94, said he felt that his work was complete.

"My job is done," he told Format magazine. "I found the mass murderers I was looking for. I survived all of them. Those whom I didn't look for are too old and sick today to be pursued legally."

Mr Wiesenthal said that despite his long career he felt that some people did not appreciate the gravity of the Nazi regime's crimes.

Wiesenthal's information led to Nazi criminal Eichmann being captured
"It is very difficult to get the public to really understand the crimes of these people," he said.

"Still I have to bother with people and groups that claim that the Holocaust never happened."

Mr Wiesenthal spent decades chasing more than 1,000 Nazi war criminals responsible for some of the most appalling atrocities of the 20th Century.

Early Life

Born in the town of Buczacz in what is now Ukraine, he found himself in the middle of the Nazi occupation in 1941.

Despite successfully smuggling his wife to safety he was soon shipped off to a succession of concentration camps.

He survived the infamous Mauthausen death camp, but later learned that a total of 89 members of his family had been killed by the Nazis.

At the end of the war, Mr Wiesenthal began the painstaking task of poring over hundreds of thousands of documents for the US Army's war crimes unit until interest in capturing Nazi war criminals waned.

In the 1950s, he was instrumental in finding Adolf Hitler's associate Adolf Eichmann living under an assumed name in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Eichmann had supervised much of the "Final Solution", the horrific plan that sent millions of European Jews to their deaths.

His capture by Israeli agents - and his subsequent trial and execution in 1961 - encouraged Mr Wiesenthal, who opened the Jewish Documentation Center in Vienna, devoted exclusively to information on war criminals.

Information from his centre also led to the capture of, among others, Karl Silberbauer, the Gestapo police officer who had arrested the teenage diarist Anne Frank and her family.

And in 1977 the Simon Wiesenthal Center was established as an international Jewish human rights organisation in Los Angeles, California.

"The only value of nearly five decades of my work is a warning to the murderers of tomorrow, that they will never rest," he told the Washington Post newspaper in 1994.

Mel · 19th April 2003, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Clancy
http://news.yahoo.com/fc?tmpl=fc&cid...&cat=holocaust

Nazi hunter Wiesenthal to retire

Renowned Nazi hunter Simon Wiesenthal says he is to retire after spending most of his life tracking down perpetrators of the Holocaust.

But in an interview with an Austrian magazine Mr Wiesenthal, who is now 94, said he felt that his work was complete.

"My job is done," he told Format magazine. "I found the mass murderers I was looking for. I survived all of them. Those whom I didn't look for are too old and sick today to be pursued legally."

I read this is yesterday's paper & I was more than a little surprised by the statement, "Those whom I didn't look for are too old and sick today to be pursued legally."

I'd be interested to hear Elie Wiesel's (sp?) feelings about that comment.

Clancie · 19th April 2003, 10:12 AM

Quote:

originally posted by MelI read this is yesterday's paper & I was more than a little surprised by the statement, "Those whom I didn't look for are too old and sick today to be pursued legally."

Yes, I wonder what he means. Is it a legal or humanitarian "statute of limitations?"

I didn't realize Wiesenthal was 94, though. I've always really admired him for devoting his life to such dangerous work--in anti-Jewish, post war Vienna, no less.

And, yes, I wonder what Wiesel thinks? Its sad to think how few Holocaust survivors there are still around to speak/publish about it any more...

Mel · 19th April 2003, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Clancy

Yes, I wonder what he means. Is it a legal or humanitarian "statute of limitations?"

I didn't realize Wiesenthal was 94, though. I've always really admired him for devoting his life to such dangerous work--in anti-Jewish, post war Vienna, no less.

And, yes, I wonder what Wiesel thinks? Its sad to think how few Holocaust survivors there are still around to speak/publish about it any more...

I can't imagine that crimes against humanity would have a legal statue of limitations.... at least I would HOPE not.

I also don't believe it's a question of being humane.... it's almost as if he's saying he's tired and ready for closure in his OWN heart.

Personally, I think as long as a war criminal is still breathing they should not have the luxuary of peace of mind for a nano-second. I think they should KNOW that they might STILL be held fully accountable until their dying day.

These animals didn't have an ounce of compassion for their victims, whether they were young, old or sick.... I feel no compassion for them because they are frail now.

Denise · 19th April 2003, 09:15 PM

94? Wow! He has devoted his life to good things and he definitely deserves a rest.

Baker · 19th April 2003, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mel

Personally, I think as long as a war criminal is still breathing they should not have the luxuary of peace of mind for a nano-second. I think they should KNOW that they might STILL be held fully accountable until their dying day.

These animals didn't have an ounce of compassion for their victims, whether they were young, old or sick.... I feel no compassion for them because they are frail now.

True but there are still others out pursuing Wiesenthal fight for justice he will long be remembered for his life long work to make these animals pay the price for there crimes.

Ben Shniper · 20th April 2003, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Clancy

Yes, I wonder what he means. Is it a legal or humanitarian "statute of limitations?"

Can a 94 year old holocaust victim rest anytime?

Others are pursuing those left. His personal retirement at 94 caps off one of the most productive careers of any man of our times. I wish someone would pursue Iraqi war criminals, and all war criminals, with the same degree of fairness, justice, and vigor.

-Ben

Mel · 20th April 2003, 08:18 AM

Just to clarify.....

I deeply respect & admire Simon Wiesenthal and I agree he deserves to 'retire' and enjoy his life after so many years of dedication. I guess I was just stunned by those words.

19th April 2003, 07:30 AM	#1
Clancie Illuminator Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 3,040	Simon Wiesenthal Retires http://news.yahoo.com/fc?tmpl=fc&cid...&cat=holocaust Nazi hunter Wiesenthal to retire Renowned Nazi hunter Simon Wiesenthal says he is to retire after spending most of his life tracking down perpetrators of the Holocaust. Mr Wiesenthal, himself imprisoned in several Nazi concentration camps during World War II, is credited for bringing several high-profile members of the Nazi leadership to justice. But in an interview with an Austrian magazine Mr Wiesenthal, who is now 94, said he felt that his work was complete. "My job is done," he told Format magazine. "I found the mass murderers I was looking for. I survived all of them. Those whom I didn't look for are too old and sick today to be pursued legally." Mr Wiesenthal said that despite his long career he felt that some people did not appreciate the gravity of the Nazi regime's crimes. Wiesenthal's information led to Nazi criminal Eichmann being captured "It is very difficult to get the public to really understand the crimes of these people," he said. "Still I have to bother with people and groups that claim that the Holocaust never happened." Mr Wiesenthal spent decades chasing more than 1,000 Nazi war criminals responsible for some of the most appalling atrocities of the 20th Century. Early Life Born in the town of Buczacz in what is now Ukraine, he found himself in the middle of the Nazi occupation in 1941. Despite successfully smuggling his wife to safety he was soon shipped off to a succession of concentration camps. He survived the infamous Mauthausen death camp, but later learned that a total of 89 members of his family had been killed by the Nazis. At the end of the war, Mr Wiesenthal began the painstaking task of poring over hundreds of thousands of documents for the US Army's war crimes unit until interest in capturing Nazi war criminals waned. In the 1950s, he was instrumental in finding Adolf Hitler's associate Adolf Eichmann living under an assumed name in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Eichmann had supervised much of the "Final Solution", the horrific plan that sent millions of European Jews to their deaths. His capture by Israeli agents - and his subsequent trial and execution in 1961 - encouraged Mr Wiesenthal, who opened the Jewish Documentation Center in Vienna, devoted exclusively to information on war criminals. Information from his centre also led to the capture of, among others, Karl Silberbauer, the Gestapo police officer who had arrested the teenage diarist Anne Frank and her family. And in 1977 the Simon Wiesenthal Center was established as an international Jewish human rights organisation in Los Angeles, California. "The only value of nearly five decades of my work is a warning to the murderers of tomorrow, that they will never rest," he told the Washington Post newspaper in 1994.
Clancie Illuminator Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 3,040

19th April 2003, 07:49 AM	#2
Mel Muse Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 552	Re: Simon Wiesenthal Retires Quote: Originally posted by Clancy http://news.yahoo.com/fc?tmpl=fc&cid...&cat=holocaust Nazi hunter Wiesenthal to retire Renowned Nazi hunter Simon Wiesenthal says he is to retire after spending most of his life tracking down perpetrators of the Holocaust. But in an interview with an Austrian magazine Mr Wiesenthal, who is now 94, said he felt that his work was complete. "My job is done," he told Format magazine. "I found the mass murderers I was looking for. I survived all of them. Those whom I didn't look for are too old and sick today to be pursued legally." I read this is yesterday's paper & I was more than a little surprised by the statement, "Those whom I didn't look for are too old and sick today to be pursued legally." I'd be interested to hear Elie Wiesel's (sp?) feelings about that comment.
Mel Muse Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 552	__________________ "It's a magical world, Hobbes, ol' buddy... Let's go exploring!" -- Calvin's final words

19th April 2003, 10:12 AM	#3
Clancie Illuminator Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 3,040	Quote: originally posted by MelI read this is yesterday's paper & I was more than a little surprised by the statement, "Those whom I didn't look for are too old and sick today to be pursued legally." Yes, I wonder what he means. Is it a legal or humanitarian "statute of limitations?" I didn't realize Wiesenthal was 94, though. I've always really admired him for devoting his life to such dangerous work--in anti-Jewish, post war Vienna, no less. And, yes, I wonder what Wiesel thinks? Its sad to think how few Holocaust survivors there are still around to speak/publish about it any more...
Clancie Illuminator Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 3,040

19th April 2003, 10:22 AM	#4
Mel Muse Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 552	Quote: Originally posted by Clancy Yes, I wonder what he means. Is it a legal or humanitarian "statute of limitations?" I didn't realize Wiesenthal was 94, though. I've always really admired him for devoting his life to such dangerous work--in anti-Jewish, post war Vienna, no less. And, yes, I wonder what Wiesel thinks? Its sad to think how few Holocaust survivors there are still around to speak/publish about it any more... I can't imagine that crimes against humanity would have a legal statue of limitations.... at least I would HOPE not. I also don't believe it's a question of being humane.... it's almost as if he's saying he's tired and ready for closure in his OWN heart. Personally, I think as long as a war criminal is still breathing they should not have the luxuary of peace of mind for a nano-second. I think they should KNOW that they might STILL be held fully accountable until their dying day. These animals didn't have an ounce of compassion for their victims, whether they were young, old or sick.... I feel no compassion for them because they are frail now.
Mel Muse Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 552	__________________ "It's a magical world, Hobbes, ol' buddy... Let's go exploring!" -- Calvin's final words

19th April 2003, 09:15 PM	#5
Denise Succubus Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 2,869	94? Wow! He has devoted his life to good things and he definitely deserves a rest.
Denise Succubus Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 2,869	__________________ Sundog- Do the words Biosphere 2 convey anything to anyone?

19th April 2003, 09:32 PM	#6
Baker Graduate Poster Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 1,121	Quote: Originally posted by Mel Personally, I think as long as a war criminal is still breathing they should not have the luxuary of peace of mind for a nano-second. I think they should KNOW that they might STILL be held fully accountable until their dying day. These animals didn't have an ounce of compassion for their victims, whether they were young, old or sick.... I feel no compassion for them because they are frail now. True but there are still others out pursuing Wiesenthal fight for justice he will long be remembered for his life long work to make these animals pay the price for there crimes.
Baker Graduate Poster Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 1,121

20th April 2003, 08:05 AM	#7
Ben Shniper Thinker Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 134	Quote: Originally posted by Clancy Yes, I wonder what he means. Is it a legal or humanitarian "statute of limitations?" Can a 94 year old holocaust victim rest anytime? Others are pursuing those left. His personal retirement at 94 caps off one of the most productive careers of any man of our times. I wish someone would pursue Iraqi war criminals, and all war criminals, with the same degree of fairness, justice, and vigor. -Ben
Ben Shniper Thinker Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 134

20th April 2003, 08:18 AM	#8
Mel Muse Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 552	Just to clarify..... I deeply respect & admire Simon Wiesenthal and I agree he deserves to 'retire' and enjoy his life after so many years of dedication. I guess I was just stunned by those words.
Mel Muse Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 552	__________________ "It's a magical world, Hobbes, ol' buddy... Let's go exploring!" -- Calvin's final words