Trump administration scraps Pentagon Holocaust remembrance events

Decision issued by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth comes amid Trump's wider battle against DEI initiatives across the nation; move outrages local Jewish community

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced his department would no longer recognize 11 annual observances as part of U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration’s push against diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
The canceled events include Black History Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, Women’s History Month, Pride Month, Native American Heritage Month, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Juneteenth and Holocaust remembrance events planned for May.
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פיט הגסת' שר ההגנה המיועד של טראמפ
פיט הגסת' שר ההגנה המיועד של טראמפ
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth
(Photo: AP Photo/Ben Curtis) Andrew Harnik/Getty Images))
Hegseth said such events "erode camaraderie and threaten operation performance." His directive, titled "Identity months dead at DOD" aligns with a presidential order canceling all federal DEI programs aimed at promoting equal opportunity in the military.
The administration views DEI as a threat to military cohesion and has pushed for its removal across federal agencies, arguing it harms efficiency. Some Pentagon branches, including the U.S. Air Force, have already altered training programs, cutting courses on ethnic diversity and minority service members’ history.
The decision to cancel Holocaust remembrance events first appeared in an internal memo from the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), listing 11 observances Pentagon employees are no longer to mark in official settings.
Hegseth’s associates said the move wasn’t meant to undermine Holocaust remembrance but was part of a broader policy against identity-based events. "The focus is on strengthening military cohesion. Service members and civilians remain free to attend these events in a personal capacity outside work hours."
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המסמך שהתקבל בפנטגון
המסמך שהתקבל בפנטגון
Directive recieved at thePentagon
A Pentagon official confirmed the document's authenticity to Ynet. In an official statement, the Pentagon said it is "fully implementing all presidential directives and administration policies" and will update internal guidelines accordingly.
"Installations, units and offices are encouraged to celebrate the valor and success of military heroes of all races, genders, and backgrounds as we restore our warrior culture and ethos. We are proud of our warriors and their history, but we will focus on the character of their service instead of their immutable characteristics,” the statement read.
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The decision marks a sharp shift in Pentagon policy, which has long recognized such events to foster unity among service members and civilians. The move sparked outrage from Jewish organizations, minority rights activists and other affected communities, who warned it could damage troop morale and create internal tensions.
Following public criticism, the Pentagon removed Holocaust remembrance from the list of canceled events on its website. However, a Pentagon official told Ynet that despite its removal online, Holocaust remembrance remains among the scrapped observances.
Congress designated Holocaust Remembrance Day as a national commemoration. Since the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum opened in Washington in 1993, every U.S. president has attended its official ceremonies, reaffirming their commitment to fighting discrimination and social exclusion.
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הפנטגון
הפנטגון
The U.S. Pentagon
(Photo: Shutterstock)
Hegseth, a former Fox News host and infantryman, has a controversial history. Despite past racist remarks and being discharged from the reserves after complaints about tattoos linked to white supremacy, he has been a vocal supporter of Israel.
An evangelical Christian, he embraces a messianic vision that includes recognizing Israel as the Jewish state with Jerusalem as its capital, demolishing the Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque and rebuilding the Jewish Temple.
He praised Trump’s Iran policy, criticized Barack Obama and Joe Biden’s administrations and in his 2020 book “American Crusade”, called for a "crusade" against the country's enemies, particularly leftists and Islam. He opposes a two-state solution and has repeatedly expressed hope that the Third Temple will be built in our lifetime.
During a visit to Bethlehem for a Fox Nation report on local Christians, he tattooed "Jesus" in Hebrew on his arm. His tattoos have a dedicated fan base, including an official page on X.
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