U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) is drawing a direct line between his ongoing investigations into Nazi-era financial networks and escape routes and the critical need to confront the rise in antisemitism today.
In a recent discussion, Grassley detailed his efforts to uncover hidden historical truths related to Nazi “ratlines” and Swiss bank accounts, emphasizing the relevance of this work in the wake of the October 7th attacks in Israel and subsequent surge in antisemitic incidents globally and in the United States.
Grassley highlighted the March hearing he convened as Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee on rising antisemitism, explaining it was a necessary response to the events of October 7th. He stated that the “atrocities of Oct. 7, 2023, underscored how imperative it is to learn from history,” noting the attack was the deadliest on Jews since World War II.
READ: Georgia, Texas Lawmakers Intro Bill To Extend Civil Rights Cold Case Review Board Term
He expressed alarm at the subsequent “alarming cascade of events” on U.S. college campuses and elsewhere, including support for Hamas, “genocidal slogans and acts of antisemitism targeting Jewish students, shopkeepers, professors and rabbis.”
Grassley characterized these events as a “wake-up call,” demanding attention to hatred, gaining a foothold here in America. He criticized the previous Congress for not holding a hearing on the issue.
Referencing the liberation of Nazi concentration camps 80 years prior, Grassley stressed that the “horrific lessons of the Holocaust must never be forgotten.” He underscored the responsibility of each generation “not to ignore the hatred or diminish the truths discovered by American troops in 1945.” Quoting Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel, Grassley added, “History teaches us we can’t be neutral in the face of hatred… ‘We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.'”
READ: Trump Admin Challenges Michigan, Hawaii Suing Energy Industry Over Climate Change
Turning to his historical investigations, Grassley provided an update on his probe into financial ties between Swiss banks and Nazi war criminals.
Initiated in 2023 following whistleblower allegations, the investigation examines potential wrongdoing by Credit Suisse regarding previously undisclosed Nazi-linked accounts. Grassley noted the Senate Budget Committee issued its first subpoena since 1991 as part of this effort, confirming “previously undisclosed ties with Nazi-connected Credit Suisse account holders.” He stated this work is ongoing, aiming to “keep a bright light shining on one of the darkest chapters in modern human history in the pursuit of truth and justice.”
Grassley also detailed his investigation into Nazi “ratlines,” the secret networks used by members of the Nazi regime to escape justice and flee, often to South America, using monetary and logistical pathways during and after WWII. In February, he wrote to Argentinian President Javier Milei requesting assistance and the release of archival records documenting the use of these ratlines. Grassley lauded President Milei’s decision to release and make these records accessible as a “victory for transparency.”
READ: Colorado Bill Mandating Ride-Share Recording Faces ACLU Privacy Pushback, Uber Exit Threat
Connecting these historical probes to current events, Grassley asserted, “Transparency brings accountability. October 7 ushered in a new era of urgency to stop antisemitism in its tracks.” He believes combing through these historical archives will help “piece together the enablers who facilitated the escape of Nazi war criminals, honor the memories of Holocaust victims and deliver justice to the survivors.”
Emphasizing the importance of remembering the six million souls lost in the Holocaust, Grassley concluded, “I’m working as hard as ever to keep history alive so current and future generations don’t sit on the sidelines when genocide and antisemitism rear their evil heads.”
He echoed the words of Holocaust survivor Simon Wiesenthal: “‘Hope lives when people remember.'”
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
