Never Again for Anyone: Stephen and Andrea Kapos on the Duty to Speak Out

In this milestone 100th episode, I am honoured to be joined by 88-year-old Stephen Kapos and his daughter, filmmaker Andrea Kapos. Stephen, a child survivor of the Holocaust, has recently found himself in the public eye as a vocal activist for Palestinian solidarity. Together, we explore Stephen's journey from a retired architect to a prominent voice at protest marches, where he speaks as a witness to history to challenge current narratives. We discuss the powerful intergenerational bond formed through their shared activism and the documentary Andrea is currently filming to preserve these vital testimonies.Key TakeawaysThe duty to bear witness: Stephen believes his role is critical because there are very few remaining survivors with actual memories of the Holocaust who can speak to the realities of persecution and genocide.Intergenerational activism: For the Kapos family, attending marches and speaking out has become a shared experience involving Stephen, Andrea, and even Stephen's grandchildren, creating a deep sense of solidarity and pride.Distinguishing Judaism from Zionism: Stephen articulates his view that conflating Jewish identity with Zionism is dangerous and incorrect, noting that he views the actions of the Israeli state as contrary to his understanding of Jewish valuesHope as action: Andrea reflects that hope is not a passive state but a "doing word" found in the act of gathering, marching, and refusing to be a bystander to history.Episode Highlights00:03:00 Stephen discusses the warm reception he receives at marches and his response to the few detractors he encounters.00:16:00 Transitioning from a career in architecture to becoming a public speaker and witness in his late eighties.00:32:00 Stephen explains why he believes Palestinian solidarity and anti-Zionism are distinct from antisemitism.00:51:00 The emotional experience of the 'Choose Love' event, where Stephen witnessed the reading of the names of children killed in Gaza.01:05:00 Thoughts on why hope is found in the "doing" and the importance of the growing international movement.About the GuestsStephen Kapos is an 88-year-old survivor of the Holocaust from Budapest who has become a dedicated activist for Palestinian rights. He is a member of the group Holocaust Survivors and Descendants Against the Genocide in Gaza.Andrea Kapos is a documentary filmmaker and Stephen's daughter. She is currently producing a film chronicling the lives and meeting of her father and fellow survivor Antoine, exploring their parallel histories and shared solidarity.Episode LinksHolocaust Survivors and Descendants Against the Genocide in Gaza Double Down News Stop the War Coalition Misan Harriman (Photographer mentioned regarding the 'Choose Love' event and portraits) Cafe PalestinaConnect with MeganInstagram: ⁠@‌HigherLove_withMegan⁠Website: ⁠www.higher-love.com⁠This episode was written and recorded by me and produced by Lucy Lucraft (lucylucraft.co.uk)If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review.