During a recent conference in Paris, marking the 80th anniversary of Auschwitz's liberation, controversial comparisons were drawn between the Holocaust and the current situation in Gaza. Organised by two far-left Jewish organisations, Tsedek and the Union Juive Française pour la Paix (UJFP), the event sparked outrage, particularly over remarks made by Rony Brauman, former president of Médecins Sans Frontières.

Brauman claimed, "Gaza will surpass Auschwitz as a metaphor for absolute cruelty," arguing that the memory of Auschwitz serves as "a kind of insult to Palestinians." The statement, along with the avoidance of the term "Hamas" by several speakers, triggered widespread condemnation. Historian Gilbert Achcar also criticised the lack of attention to the Palestinian death toll during the events of October 7, 2023, when 1,500 individuals were killed, many identified as members of Hamas or affiliated groups.

The conference was met with fierce opposition from the collective "Nous Vivrons," established after October 7 to combat antisemitism. Protesters gathered outside the venue in Paris, chanting, "Don't touch our memory." Sarah Aizenman, the group's president, criticised the organisers, accusing them of exploiting Holocaust remembrance and enabling narratives that blame Jewish communities for their suffering.

The heated reactions highlight the sensitivities surrounding comparisons between historical atrocities and contemporary conflicts, underscoring the complex interplay of memory, identity, and advocacy.