More than 60,000 people marched through Lima on Saturday as part of the March of Life, an international movement that brings together Jewish and Christian communities to honor the memory of the Holocaust, express support for Israel and condemn antisemitism.
The event in the Peruvian capital was organized in partnership with the Worldwide Missionary Movement (MMM) and was attended by Israel's Ambassador to Peru, Gali Dagan, along with other key figures. Participants predominantly wore white T-shirts and carried Israeli flags, and the program also included a march of more than 3,000 young people.
Speaking to the crowd, Dagan urged people to commit to fighting Jew-hatred as a way of honoring those who perished in the Holocaust. "Tonight, we remember the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust, victims of antisemitic hatred and centuries of incitement," he said. "We must also remember those who, amid that darkness, chose to help and save lives."
Among those rescuers, he highlighted two Peruvian diplomats, José Gambetta and José Barreto, who facilitated passports so that persecuted Jews could escape Europe and find refuge in Peru.
"Remembering the Holocaust obliges us to honor its victims, but also to recognize the warning signs of hatred, reject indifference and act before it is too late," Dagan continued, adding that "this responsibility is more urgent today than ever."
He said that "the memory of the Holocaust demands consistency from us: we cannot remain indifferent when intolerance and antisemitism manifest themselves again," and encouraged the audience to express support for Israel on social media, share information, "defend the truth" and raise their voices against antisemitism. Pointing to what he called an "alarming" escalation in antisemitism since the Hamas massacre of October 7, 2023, he told the crowd that "the best response to hate speech is a firm, courageous and supportive voice."
Dagan also expressed gratitude to the Government of Peru for adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism, saying the decision "constitutes an important signal of commitment to the historical memory of the Holocaust and to the fight against antisemitism." Peru adopted the non-binding working definition on October 26, 2026, just over a week before the march, in a shift of policy toward Israel and Jews under President Keiko Fujimori, the right-wing leader who entered power in July.
Dagan closed his address by invoking the shared values and roots of Jews and Christians and thanking Peruvian Christians for their friendship. "Knowing that we have friends who publicly express their solidarity gives us strength and hope. It reminds us that we are not alone," he said, before inviting them to visit Israel.
His remarks were met with applause, cheering and a standing ovation.
