Nation

February 10, 2012

Marines’ SS photo condemned by Jewish groups

JTA

Tweet

Share

The publication of a 2010 photograph showing U.S. soldiers with a logo resembling a Nazi symbol was greeted with condemnations by Jewish groups.

In the picture, taken in Afghanistan, American Marines are shown with a flag that reads “SS” in a manner similar to the logo of the infamous Nazi police. A Marine spokesperson said the soldiers did not know the logo had a Nazi connotation but had intended the image to resemble lightning bolts and refer to sniper scouts.

Rabbi Marvin Hier, head of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, said he did not believe the image was an innocent mistake and called on authorities to launch an investigation, CBS News reported.

The Anti-Defamation League, however, issued a statement Friday saying that “obviously” the military personnel had “no idea” what the image symbolized and called on U.S. military leaders to reinstate a Holocaust education program the league had helped develop 30 years ago.

“As the years pass, the memory of the ultimate sacrifices of American servicemen in World War II is being forgotten, and the symbols of the Nazis are losing their meaning to young people who have no memory and little knowledge of that time in history,” said Abraham Foxman, the ADL’s national director.

---

Post your comment below!

Click here to return to the homepage.

COMMENTS

We welcome your feedback. Comments may not exceed 700 characters.

Privacy Policy

Your information will not be shared or sold without your consent. Get all the details.

Terms of Service

JewishJournal.com has rules for its commenting community.Get all the details.

Post a Comment

Name:
Email:

Type the word you see below:

Comment:

Remember my personal information

Notify me of follow-up comments?