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Denmark in 1933, in a service attended by Danish King Christian X, the Jews of Copenhagen celebrated the hundredth anniversary of their synagogue's existence. Over the next seven years, Denmark welcomed approximately 4,500 German and eastern European Jewish refugees. Around 3,000 of these new arrivals were known as chalutzim, the Hebrew word for "pioneers," who came to Denmark for agricultural training before emigrating to Palestine. When Germany occupied Denmark on April 9, 1940, the Jewish population was about 7,500, constituting approximately 0.2% of the country's total population. Of these, around 6,000 were Danish citizens, with the remainder being refugees from Germany and Eastern Europe. Most Jews resided in Copenhagen, the capital and largest city of Denmark.

During the initial years of occupation, the German regime adopted a relatively benign stance towards Denmark, partly because they sought to foster good relations with the Danes, whom they perceived as fellow Aryans. Although Germany exerted control over Danish foreign policy, the Danish government retained considerable autonomy in domestic affairs, including control over its legal system and police forces. This policy of non-interference extended to the treatment of Danish Jews; unlike in other occupied European countries, Danish authorities did not require Jews to register property, wear yellow stars, or give up their homes and businesses. The Jews’ religious and community life persisted, with regular religious services held throughout the occupation. Incidents of anti-Semitic violence, such as arson attacks on the Copenhagen synagogue in 1941 and 1942, were thwarted by local police, signaling the ongoing support for the Jewish community among Danes and officials alike.

The popular story that King Christian X wore a yellow star to show solidarity is a myth; however, the king’s outspoken opposition to persecution and his support for Jews cultivated a protective perception of Denmark as a country that shielded its Jewish citizens. A significant turning point in occupation policies occurred in 1943, when the tide of WWII began turning against Germany. Inspired by Allied victories, many Danes believed Germany could be defeated and civil resistance grew. The Danish government resigned in August 1943 to oppose German demands that they establish military courts for sabotage cases. The German response was the declaration of martial law, leading to arrests of civilians, including Jews. In September 1943, SS General Werner Best, German administrator in Denmark, proposed the deportation of Danish Jews, which Adolf Hitler approved.

In the days leading to the deportation, Danish resistance and civilians organized a daring rescue. German officials, warned by some Danes, planned to round up the Jews on October 1, 1943. However, many Jews were tipped off and went into hiding, and Danish police, along with the resistances, refused to complicity cooperate with Germans. Consequently, around 7,200 Jews and 700 non-Jewish relatives escaped to neutral Sweden via coastal ferries, a remarkable feat considering the occupation's constraints. Despite this success, about 470 Jews in Denmark were captured and deported to Theresienstadt in Czechoslovakia, most of whom were refugees and not Danish citizens. International and Danish protests demanded better treatment for those deported, and the Red Cross facilitated visits to Theresienstadt, which allowed many Danish prisoners to receive correspondence and aid.

Most Danish Jews survived the Holocaust, and those who returned in 1945 often found their homes intact, thanks to Denmark's refusal to allow German collaborators to loot Jewish property. Only about 120 Danish Jews perished during the Holocaust, making Denmark one of the European countries with the highest survival rates. The collective effort of the Danish government, resistance, and ordinary citizens in saving the Jewish community is remembered as a remarkable example of civil courage in the face of tyranny.

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The history of Denmark during Nazi occupation, particularly regarding its Jewish community, exemplifies how national identity, leadership, and civil resistance can influence the outcome of persecution. Denmark's experience underscores the importance of leadership and societal support in protecting minorities amid oppressive regimes.

Initially, Denmark's relatively lenient occupation policies reflected a pragmatic approach by German authorities, who valued good relations with their Danish counterparts and perceived the Danish population—including its Jews—as akin to their own Aryan race. The German Foreign Office, at the Wannsee Conference, even considered excluding Denmark from the Holocaust's "Final Solution," anticipating that the Jewish question could be resolved within Denmark once victory was achieved elsewhere. Additionally, the Danish government's policies toward its Jewish citizens—from not requiring registration or designation with yellow stars to allowing Jewish religious practices—demonstrated a level of domestic autonomy and societal tolerance, which contrasted sharply with the rigid anti-Semitic measures enforced elsewhere.

King Christian X’s symbolic opposition to persecution played a pivotal role in shaping Danish public sentiment. Although the story that he wore a yellow star is a myth, his public support of the Jewish community and opposition to discriminatory policies fostered a culture of protection and solidarity. This leadership, coupled with the active resistance of Danish citizens, was instrumental when the situation changed in 1943. The shift to martial law and impending deportations galvanized collective action, leading to one of the most successful rescue operations of Jews during the Holocaust.

The Danish resistance, with its logistical expertise and widespread civilian involvement, orchestrated a massive clandestine operation to hide and ferry Jews to neutral Sweden. This rescue, involving both civilians and the police, demonstrated the capacity for moral courage and civil disobedience in protecting vulnerable populations from genocidal policies. The role of international organizations like the Red Cross further exemplifies the importance of global and local cooperation in humanitarian efforts during times of crisis.

Despite the Germans' efforts to deport Danish Jews to Theresienstadt, where conditions were harsh and some perished, Danish protests and diplomatic pressures kept the number of deportations relatively low, preventing the extermination of the majority of Danish Jews. The survival rate of Danish Jews during the Holocaust stands in stark contrast to the fate of Jews in many other European countries, highlighting the unique role of societal unity and moral leadership in resisting tyranny.

The success of Denmark’s efforts to protect its Jewish population is a testament to the crucial impact that societal resilience, leadership, and international cooperation can have in times of moral crisis. It also underscores the importance of historical remembrance and the lessons learned about civil courage, legal integrity, and the power of collective action.

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