Holocaust Survivor Holds Solidarity Vigil on Her 80th Birthday for Palestinian Prisoners

 

A Holocaust survivor, Prof. Veronika Cohen, marked her 80th birthday on Friday by organizing a solidarity vigil outside an Israeli prison where hundreds of Palestinian detainees are held after the events of October 7th. Cohen, who was born in the Jewish ghetto of Budapest, survived through what she describes as "a series of miracles." Instead of a typical celebration, she chose to protest outside Neve Tirtza women’s prison in Ramla to highlight the harsh conditions faced by Palestinian prisoners.

The protest drew attention to the use of administrative detention, a practice that allows Israeli authorities to detain individuals indefinitely without charge or trial. Cohen’s vigil also focused on the plight of Khalida Jarrar, a 61-year-old Palestinian politician who has been imprisoned without trial for over 10 months. Jarrar, a leading feminist and member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), was arrested in December 2023 and has since been held under administrative detention.

Cohen, a professor emeritus at the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance, expressed deep concern over Jarrar’s unjust imprisonment, saying, "I think about her unbearable situation... A woman in her 60s who has suffered so much and finds herself in prison without being judged." She emphasized the need to bring attention to Jarrar’s case and called for improving the conditions of detainees.

Reports from the Public Committee Against Torture in Israel revealed that nearly 10,000 Palestinians are currently in detention, marking a significant increase in recent years. Of these, around 8,000 are classified as "security" detainees, and many are held without formal charges. The report highlighted the physical and mental abuse many of these prisoners endure, with several deaths in custody linked to violence by prison officers.

Cohen, one of the few Jewish children to survive the Holocaust in Budapest, shared her personal connection to the cause. She reflected on her survival during World War II and her desire to advocate for peace and justice. After moving to Israel in 1979, Cohen became committed to fostering dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians, believing that understanding and communication could halt the ongoing conflict.

In her words, "We cannot build a strong, democratic country without ending the occupation." For Cohen, her birthday vigil was a way to express gratitude for life by standing up for the rights of others, particularly in such tragic times.