‘I hoped I had paid the price’: Holocaust survivor addresses EU in call for peace

Irene Shashar, a survivor of the Holocaust, has called on the EU to end antisemitism and help bring peace to the Middle East, in an impassioned speech to MEPs on Thursday. ‘It breaks my heart to see my grandchildren growing up in war,’ Shashar said, referring to ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas since the 7 October attacks. Her speech to lawmakers during a plenary session in Brussels came as the European parliament marked International Holocaust Remembrance Day. The Nazis killed about 6 million Jews during the Holocaust. ‘I won against Hitler. I am finally home but my grandchildren must now fight for its survival,’ Shashar said, as she called for the release of all Israeli hostages from Hamas