Evian's Dark History: 1961 Murder Aimed to Derail Algerian Independence
The article examines Evian's recurring role as a site of historical tragedy, linking the 1938 Evian Conference, where the international community failed to aid Jews fleeing Nazi persecution, to a 1961 assassination plot. The murder, orchestrated by far-right French extremists, targeted a figure involved in negotiations for Algerian independence, reflecting a pattern of antisemitism and political violence. The author draws a parallel to contemporary antisemitism following the October 7 Hamas massacre, arguing that Jews again face global abandonment. The piece critiques the normalization of antisemitism in society, warning of its consequences.
Key facts
- Evian hosted the 1938 conference where nations refused to accept Jewish refugees from Nazi Germany.
- In 1961, a murder occurred in Evian as part of a plot to prevent Algerian independence.
- The murder was carried out by far-right French extremists opposed to Algerian independence.
- The article connects the 1938 conference and the 1961 murder to contemporary antisemitism.
- The October 7 Hamas massacre is cited as a recent trigger for rising antisemitism.
- The author argues that Jews today experience a similar sense of abandonment as in 1938.
- The piece warns that antisemitism becoming socially acceptable erodes trust in society.
- Evian is portrayed as a symbol of historical and ongoing failures to protect Jews.
Entities
Institutions
- NZZ
Locations
- Evian
- France
- Algeria