Doctors Against Genocide group earlier called off an assembly at the Washington, D.C. Holocaust Museum. This happened after criticism labelled the intended act as “insulting”. Doctors Against Genocide organised a meeting for the early hours of December 28 at the museum. Then, they were meant to assemble outside the White House at 3 p.m.
Doctors Against Genocide Does Not Want to Minimise the Museum’s Work
The group’s website says it is “a global coalition of healthcare workers dedicated to succeeding where global governments failed in confronting, and preventing genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. Our mission includes identifying, opposing, preventing, and eradicating genocide by uniting Healthcare Professionals in action.”
In reaction to Israel’s military actions in the Palestinian city of Gaza, the group emerged in 2023. A planned visit to the Holocaust Memorial Museum occurred in a statement uploaded on the group’s Instagram feed on December 26. But, the organisation did not “aim to protest inside or outside the museum, nor is it our intent to minimise the important work done by the Holocaust Memorial Museum”.
The American advocacy organization StopAntisemitism.org denounced the initial announcement early on December 26. The museum also posted a statement on their Instagram account, and also on X (previously known as Twitter).
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The Museum Wasn’t in Contact With the Org
“Our Museum is the national memorial to the six million Jews killed by Nazi Germany and its collaborators. It is deeply offensive to survivors and to the memory of the victims to exploit Holocaust history. Our long-standing policy against protests in our Museum preserves this space for the solemn memory of victims, the reflections of survivors, and its educational mission”, the advocacy organization said.
Museum spokesperson Raymund Flandez said the institution had not been in touch with the organizers of the protest, and reiterated that holding such an event at the museum “would have been extremely offensive, particularly to Holocaust survivors”.
The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum inspires citizens and leaders worldwide to confront hatred, prevent genocide, and promote human dignity. Federal support guarantees the Museum’s permanent place on the National Mall. Also, its far-reaching educational programs and global impact are made possible by generous donors.
