In a move critics on social media said sends a conflicting message to the world, an Israeli court has ordered the halt of a controversial auction of a tattoo kit used by prisoners in Auschwitz in the Holocaust.
The auction of the kits was set to occur on Monday for 78,000 pounds ($101,000). In the course of its investigation, British Auctioneers said it had been told that “no minors” were tattooed by the Auschwitz Death Camp without the consent of their parents, nor had the kit been used by children.
The auction has prompted strong reaction on social media. Many accused it of sending “the wrong message,” putting right a wrong that was committed by people who are responsible for a genocide.
Commentators noted that thousands of Jews were forced to tattoo their SS tattoos during the Holocaust, as Jewish prisoners were “enlisted” in the service of the death camp.
The auction page remains active, according to The Telegraph, though auctioneers removed the Auschwitz module listing on Friday and more listings were removed on Monday.
The auction, which represents value-based auctions, was initiated by an Israeli woman, Bonna Davda, who was selling it off for charity, according to the auction website.
“My intention was always to raise awareness of the Holocaust and for the other victims of mass murder,” she said, according to The Telegraph.