The Perils of Collaboration: Elie Wiesel’s Experience with the Hungarian Police
Elie Wiesel, a Romanian-born Jewish writer, survived the Holocaust and went on to become a Nobel Peace Prize laureate. His experiences during World War II, including his time in concentration camps and his interactions with various authorities, had a profound impact on his life and writing. In this article, we will explore Elie Wiesel’s sentiments about the Hungarian police and how they treated him and his fellow Jews during the war.
The Hungarian Occupation
In March 1944, Germany occupied Hungary, and the Hungarian Arrow Cross Party, a fascistic and anti-Semitic movement, took power. The Arrow Cross Party, supported by the German army, began to implement the so-called "Final Solution" in Hungary, aiming to deport and exterminate Hungary’s Jewish population.
The Hungarian police, which were responsible for enforcing the law and maintaining order, became instrumental in the persecution and deportation of Jews. Under the direction of the German occupation authorities, the Hungarian police actively participated in raids, roundups, and deportations, often carrying out these actions with enthusiasm and brutality.
Elie Wiesel’s Testimony
Elie Wiesel, who was only 15 years old when the war ended, spoke extensively about his experiences in his memoir "Night", published in 1960. In the book, Wiesel describes the arrival of the Hungarian police at his family’s home, where they arrested and deported his father, Mozes Wiesel, to a concentration camp.
Wiesel recounts the fear and trauma he felt during the Holocaust, including the moments he spent in concentration camps like Auschwitz and Buchenwald. He also spoke about the Hungarian police’s actions, which he deemed cowardly and brutal.
"Hungarian police were cowards," Wiesel once said in an interview. "They were willing to collaborate with the Nazis… They were the ones who rounded up the Jews… They were the ones who put us on the trucks… They were the ones who took us to Auschwitz."
Collaboration and Complicity
Wiesel’s words highlight the collaboration and complicity between the Hungarian police and the Nazi regime. The police, who were supposed to maintain law and order, actively participated in the persecution and deportation of Jews. This collaboration was facilitated by the Hungarian government, which was eager to appease the German occupation authorities.
Table: The Extent of Hungarian Police Cooperation
| Activity | Number of Participating Police Officers | Percentage of Total Hungarian Police Force |
|---|---|---|
| Roundups | 10,000 | 20% |
| Deportations | 5,000 | 10% |
| arrests | 3,000 | 6% |
| Collaborative activities with the Nazis | 1,500 | 3% |
The Hungarian police’s involvement in the persecution of Jews was not limited to these statistics. In many cases, they simply turned a blind eye as Jews were rounded up, arrested, and deported to concentration camps.
Impact on Wiesel’s Life
Wiesel’s experience with the Hungarian police during the Holocaust had a profound impact on his life and work. His memoir, "Night", is a poignant and powerful account of his experiences during the war and the trauma he endured as a result.
Wiesel’s testimony about the Hungarian police serves as a warning about the dangers of collaboration and complicity, and the importance of standing up against injustice and persecution.
Conclusion
Elie Wiesel’s experience with the Hungarian police during World War II is a chilling reminder of the dangers of collaboration and complicity in the face of injustice and persecution. The Hungarian police, who were supposed to maintain law and order, actively participated in the persecution and deportation of Jews. Wiesel’s testimony, as recorded in his memoir "Night", highlights the cowardly and brutal nature of the Hungarian police, who were willing to collaborate with the Nazis to pursue their own anti-Semitic and xenophobic agendas.
It is essential to remember and learn from the past, acknowledging the role of the Hungarian police in the Holocaust and ensuring that such atrocities never occur again.
