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Nazi Memorabilia Auction in France Canceled After Objections

Exhibits from the Nazi era are seen in a cupboard at the auction house Hermann Historica in Munich, Germany. | Photo: REUTERS
Exhibits from the Nazi era are seen in a cupboard at the auction house Hermann Historica in Munich, Germany. | Photo: REUTERS
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Nazi Memorabilia Auction in France Canceled After Objections

Exhibits from the Nazi era are seen in a cupboard at the auction house Hermann Historica in Munich, Germany. | Photo: REUTERS
Exhibits from the Nazi era are seen in a cupboard at the auction house Hermann Historica in Munich, Germany. | Photo: REUTERS

An auction displaying memorabilia from the Nazi era had been canceled following the objections of an association combating anti-Semitism, the local authorities announced. According to AFP, the auction was scheduled on January 9, in Soissons, northern France.

The local authorities said: "We were notified that an auction of Nazi memorabilia is set to be held in Soissons, on Saturday. The news was mentioned in the local media as well."

"After evaluating the situation, we made some calls upon the request of the chief, who advised to cancel the event, and the organizers agreed to cancel it," they added.

In a statement on its official website, the French National Bureau of Vigilance against Anti-Semitism accused "irresponsible organizers" of "adding value to the Nazi era" by holding this auction.

The bureau has also reminded of the ban on "wearing badges or icons similar to those worn by organized members charged of committing crimes against humanity."

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UN: Record 281 Aid Workers Killed in 2024

The UN agency for Palestinian refugees has seen more than 200 staff killed since the Gaza war began. Eyad BABA / AFP/File
The UN agency for Palestinian refugees has seen more than 200 staff killed since the Gaza war began. Eyad BABA / AFP/File
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UN: Record 281 Aid Workers Killed in 2024

The UN agency for Palestinian refugees has seen more than 200 staff killed since the Gaza war began. Eyad BABA / AFP/File
The UN agency for Palestinian refugees has seen more than 200 staff killed since the Gaza war began. Eyad BABA / AFP/File

A staggering 281 aid workers have been killed around the world so far this year, making 2024 the deadliest year for humanitarians, the UN aid chief said Friday.
"Humanitarian workers are being killed at an unprecedented rate, their courage and humanity being met with bullets and bombs," said Tom Fletcher, the United Nations' new under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator.
With more than a month left to go of 2024, the "grim milestone was reached", he said, after 280 humanitarians were killed across 33 countries during all of 2023.
"This violence is unconscionable and devastating to aid operations," Fletcher said.
Israel's devastating war in Gaza was driving up the numbers, his office said, with 333 aid workers killed there -- most from the UN agency supporting Palestinian refugees, UNRWA -- since Hamas's October 7, 2023 attacks, which sparked the war, AFP reported.
"States and parties to conflict must protect humanitarians, uphold international law, prosecute those responsible, and call time on this era of impunity," Fletcher said.
Aid workers were subject to kidnappings, injuries, harassment and arbitrary detention in a range of countries, his office said, including Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, and Ukraine.
The majority of deaths involve local staff working with non-governmental organizations, UN agencies and the Red Cross Red Crescent movement, Fletcher's office said.
"Violence against humanitarian personnel is part of a broader trend of harm to civilians in conflict zones," it warned.
"Last year, more than 33,000 civilian deaths were recorded in 14 armed conflicts -- a staggering 72 per cent increase from 2022."
The UN Security Council adopted a resolution last May in response to the surging violence and threats against aid workers.
The text called for recommendations from the UN chief -- set to be presented at a council meeting next week -- on measures to prevent and respond to such incidents and to increase protection for humanitarian staff and accountability for abuses.