Remembrance as a Matter of National Interest?
+++ The event is fully booked +++
German Remembrance Culture and Israeli Perspectives on Commemorating the Shoah
Invitation to the 84th anniversary of the Wannsee Conference, January 20, 2026, 3.30 p.m. to 9 p.m., at the House of the Wannsee Conference Educational and Memorial Site
Jerusalem, 2008: Angela Merkel is the first head of government of the Federal Republic of Germany to take the podium at the Knesset – and she speaks in German. One sentence from her speech continues to resonate to this day: ‘This historical responsibility of Germany is part of my country’s raison d’état.’
Since then, the concept of raison d’état (reason of state or national interest) has been repeated, exaggerated, and imbued with various meanings. At some point, the word ‘part’ disappeared, and today, both apologists and critics of the concept agree that commemorating the Shoah and advocating for the security of the State of Israel are non-negotiable principles of German politics. But is that really the case?
Does the Holocaust make it unacceptable to criticise Israel in Germany? Are memorials and remembrance sites part of this so-called raison d’état? What tensions are actors in this field currently experiencing?
What role can remembrance of the Shoah play in shaping society’s self-image when it is being used as a pawn in political conflicts, accusations, and historically questionable comparisons? Are those involved in this debate willing to acknowledge Jewish and Israeli perspectives on the Shoah and its significance for the present – especially after October 7?
On the 84th anniversary of the Wannsee Conference, we are asking ourselves what role the memory of Nazi crimes plays in the self-image of the Federal Republic of Germany – and how it influences attitudes towards Israel today.
This field of intense debate will be explored in two rounds of discussions. In the first panel Remembrance as a Matter of National Interest?, Jacob Eder, Christian Heldt, Anne Rethmann, Ronen Steinke, and Mascha Wilke will share their views on the topic. In the second panel Remembering the Shoah in Israel – After October 7, Ayelet Gundar-Goshen, Michel Kichka, Yoav Shutan-Goshen, and Yaron Tzur will discuss remembrance culture in Israel today. The event will be moderated by Gisela Dachs.
With this event, we aim to spark a conversation about a topic that experts in the memorial sector have seldom discussed publicly.
Program
20 January 2026, 3:30 pm – 9 pm
3:30 pm: Arrival
4 pm: Welcome and Introduction - Deborah Hartmann | GHWK
4:15 pm: Bubales Puppet Theatre - Shlomit Tripp
4:30 pm: Remembrance as a Matter of National Interest?
Moderation: Prof. Dr Gisela Dachs | Hebrew University of Jerusalem
- Prof. Dr. Jacob Eder | Barenboim-Said Akademie
- Christian Heldt | Auswärtiges Amt
- Dr. Anne Rethmann | Hebrew University of Jerusalem
- Dr. Ronen Steinke | Lawyer and author
- Mascha Wilke | Stiftung Erinnerung, Verantwortung und Zukunft
6 pm: Bubales Puppet Theatre - Shlomit Tripp
6:15 pm: Break & Reception
7 pm: Commemorating the Shoah in Israel – After Oktober 7
Moderation: Prof. Dr Gisela Dachs | Hebrew University of Jerusalem
- Ayelet Gundar-Goshen | Author
- Prof. Michel Kichka | Bezalel Academy of Arts & Design Jerusalem, Cartoonist and author
- Yoav Shutan-Goshen | Author and journalist
- Yaron Tzur | Ghetto Fighters’ House Museum
8:30 pm: Bubales Puppet Theatre - Shlomit Tripp
9 pm: End of Event
Free of charge. The event will be simultaneously translated into German and English.
+++ The event is fully booked. +++
We appreciate the financial support:
