The 2024 Simon Wiesenthal Prize was awarded at the Austrian Parliament in Vienna to outstanding initiatives and individuals committed to combating antisemitism and raising awareness of the Holocaust. The main prize, worth €15,000, was awarded to the Swiss Gamaraal Foundation.
The foundation was recognised for its comprehensive work supporting Holocaust survivors and preserving their memories through educational initiatives. Founder Anita Winter emphasised that survivors’ stories help build a “wall against hatred.” The jury chair and EU Coordinator on Combating Antisemitism, Katharina von Schnurbein, praised the foundation’s efforts as a vital contribution to the culture of remembrance, with relevance for shaping the present.
In addition to the main prize, two other organisations were honoured, highlighting the breadth of the event. The prize for civil society engagement against antisemitism was awarded to the British Community Security Trust, which protects Jewish communities across the UK from threats. The prize for Holocaust education went to the Burgenland association RE.F.U.G.I.U.S., which has worked for over 30 years to confront Nazi crimes in the region.
The ceremony also carried an urgent warning. Peter Haubner (ÖVP), Second President of the National Council, stressed that antisemitism remains a “bitter reality” that must not be ignored, calling on citizens to stand courageously against hatred. In a panel discussion, experts underlined that remembering the Shoah is essential for democracy. Hannah Lessing, chairwoman of the National Fund, highlighted the critical role of eyewitnesses, whose testimonies help society learn from history. Nine Holocaust survivors were honoured for their tireless dedication.
Simon Wiesenthal’s granddaughter, Racheli Kreisberg, described antisemitism as an “old poison” that corrodes the soul of democracy. EU Coordinator von Schnurbein likened it to a “cancerous tumour” threatening the heart of society, pointing to the alarming rise in antisemitic incidents. Yet the outpouring of submissions from 32 countries offered moving proof of the moral courage and deep commitment still present worldwide.
Widely covered by parliamentary and other media, the award ceremony highlighted Austria’s historical responsibility to remain vigilant. Peter Haubner also invited submissions for the 2025 Simon Wiesenthal Prize. The event underscored that remembering past crimes is not passive—it is an active mission that must translate into action.
