By Julia Ordaz
The enigma George Santos has once again befuddled audiences by delivering a one-minute speech on Holocaust Remembrance Day after it was revealed that he lied about being the grandson of Holocaust survivors. Holocaust Remembrance Day is on January 27, and it is an internationally recognized day of memory for the 6 million Jewish victims.
Santos began, “Let this day serve as a reminder that we must honor the victims and survivors. We must also pay tribute to the liberators who rescued millions of people who nearly fell victim to the Holocaust. Antisemitism is a plague in this nation, and it is undoubtedly up to us to ensure this kind of tragedy is never to be seen again. This is a tribute to aging survivors and the Jewish community. We must guarantee access to the services they need to live long and dignified lives. This day and every day, we give credence to the dark side of humanity, but try for a brighter future.”
During his run for office to represent New York’s 3rd Congressional District, Santos’ campaigns boasted a rich history. But the threads began unraveling when the New York Times released the result of an investigation into his background, claiming that Santos had fabricated his education and work history. This investigation prompted the Jewish publication The Forward to probe further into Santos’ history. Santos’ campaign biography claimed that his grandparents fled Ukraine to escape the Holocaust, and his own mother was Jewish. But The Forward found that his grandparents were born in Brazil and had no ties to Ukraine or the Holocaust.
The Republican Jewish Coalition had rejected Santos saying he had, “deceived [them] and misrepresented his heritage.” Former Speaker of the House Paul Ryan stresses that Santos has “hoaxed his voters.” Politicians from all sides of the Chamber are calling for Santos’ immediate resignation, but he has not budged.
This leaves the public wondering, did Santos have the right to speak on Holocaust Remembrance Day given his exploitation of the heritage?
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