Carl Lutz

Swiss diplomat who saved over 62,000 Jews during WWII by issuing protective letters and establishing safe houses in Budapest.

Carl Lutz (1895–1975), a Swiss diplomat stationed in Budapest during World War II, is one of the most remarkable yet underrecognized heroes of the Holocaust. As vice-consul to Switzerland, he orchestrated one of the largest rescue operations for Jews in Nazi-occupied Europe. His innovative use of protective letters (Schutzbriefe) and the establishment of 76 safe houses under Swiss protection directly saved over 62,000 lives.

Lutz negotiated with Nazi officials and Hungarian authorities to extend diplomatic immunity to Jewish families, often bending rules to issue certificates retroactively. He worked alongside other rescuers like Raoul Wallenberg, but his contributions were overshadowed post-war due to Switzerland's neutral stance. Despite risks to his career and safety, Lutz's moral courage redefined humanitarian diplomacy.

His legacy is celebrated in Israel's Righteous Among the Nations honor, yet his story remains lesser-known globally. Documentaries like The Glass House (2022) have begun shedding light on his audacious efforts.