Introduction
Stephen Kapos, an 87–88-year-old Holocaust survivor from Budapest, has emerged as one of the most morally striking Jewish voices condemning Israel’s war in Gaza. Having survived Nazi persecution as a child in Hungary in 1944—losing much of his family in the Holocaust—Kapos now publicly argues that the suffering in Gaza amounts to genocide and that invoking Holocaust memory to justify it is a profound betrayal of history.
This post compiles his documented statements from interviews and public demonstrations.
1️⃣ “A Cover… for Genocide”
Speaking at a pro-Palestine rally in London, Kapos directly accused Israel of misusing Holocaust memory:
“I am here because I protest against the use of the memory of the Holocaust as a cover and as a justification for perpetrating the same in Gaza as a genocide against the Palestinian people.”
He further stated that Israel is manipulating Holocaust remembrance “as a cover to carry out the same atrocities in Gaza.”
Kapos has also described Israel’s actions as being in “the last stages of ethnic cleansing by means of genocide.”
2️⃣ “A Complete Insult to the Memory of the Holocaust”
In multiple interviews, Kapos has repeated what has become one of his most widely quoted statements:
“The way that the Israeli government is using the memory of the Holocaust in order to justify what they’re doing to the Gazans is a complete insult to the memory of the Holocaust.”
He has said that this instrumentalization of Holocaust memory deeply offends survivors and distorts historical responsibility.
3️⃣ “The Genocide in Gaza Is Not Happening in My Name”
At London demonstrations, Kapos has stood alongside students wearing placards declaring opposition to the war. He has publicly stated:
“This Holocaust Survivor Says Stop the Genocide in Gaza!”
He has also said:
“The genocide in Gaza is not happening in my name.”
Kapos and other survivors, according to reports, demonstrate “disagreement with the use of the Holocaust experience as a cover by the Zionists and the state of Israel.”
4️⃣ Warning Against Conflating Jewishness and Zionism
Kapos has repeatedly rejected the conflation of Jewish identity with Israeli state policy:
“The conflating of Jewishness with Zionism… does nothing but increase antisemitism.”
In an interview with Anadolu, he called the claim that all Jews support Zionism “a lie and complete untruth.”
5️⃣ “Historical Responsibility”
Addressing student protesters in the United States, Kapos encouraged continued activism:
“Just keep doing it. Don’t give up.”
He framed silence as moral complicity:
“If you are indifferent, if you do not take a stand, you acquire a degree of guilt.”
For Kapos, Holocaust memory imposes obligation—not immunity.
6️⃣ Reaction to the Yellow Star Symbolism
Kapos has also spoken emotionally about Israeli officials wearing a yellow star symbol during diplomatic appearances:
“It made me feel sick because it was a misuse of the Holocaust.”
He described such symbolism as painful and humiliating when repurposed in this context.
7️⃣ “Not in Our Name”
In public remarks reported by socialist and Jewish solidarity outlets, Kapos said:
“We are saying, ‘Not in our name.’”
He has criticized political leaders who claim to speak for all Jews, calling that representation “neither democratic nor truthful.”
Conclusion
Stephen Kapos does not speak as an academic analyst or partisan figure. He speaks as a survivor of genocide who sees historical echoes in present suffering.
His core message is consistent across interviews:
- Holocaust memory must not be weaponized.
- Jewish identity is not synonymous with Israeli state policy.
- Silence in the face of mass suffering carries moral weight.
- “Never Again” must apply universally.
Whether one agrees with his characterization or not, Kapos’ voice carries a particular moral gravity: a child survivor of Nazi persecution publicly declaring that the phrase “Never Again” must include Palestinians.
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