By TPS • 22 January, 2020
Over seven decades after the Holocaust and on the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, 50 heads of state and leaders have written letters stating their pledge to remember the Holocaust and to take measures to combat rising anti-Semitism.
The missives were collated in a book titled “Remembering the Holocaust, Fighting Anti-Semitism,” which was created for the upcoming Fifth World Holocaust Forum and will be presented to the leaders and guests attending the unprecedented event at Yad Vashem in Jerusalem on Thursday.
The letters include submissions from US President Donald Trump, President of Albania Ilir Meta, King of Belgium King Phillipe, President of Lithuania Gitanas Nauseda, King of the Netherlands Willem-Alexander, President of Ukraine Volodmyur Zelenskyy, and United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, who is not attending the event.
Yad Vashem Chairman Avner Shalev wrote in the introduction that “this book impressively illustrates the constructive potential of truthful remembrance and forthright action. It conveys a clear and vital message – Holocaust distortion and anti-Semitism have no legitimate place at anytime, anywhere in the world.”
Many of the leaders “focused on how to preserve the memory of the Holocaust as a solemn act, together with the urgent need to confront and prevent anti-Semitism and other forms of hatred,” Yad Vashem stated.
“I express my fervent hope that by continued vigilance and positive education, the iniquities perpetrated during one of the darkest periods in our history will be eliminated from the face of the earth,” Pope Francis wrote.
“We know well that words are not enough and that continuous action, heartfelt remembrance and vast education are needed,” King of Spain Felipe VI wrote. “My country, mindful of the complexities involved in addressing it, has put in place a holistic, multidisciplinary approach that includes criminal, educational, public diplomacy and nationality measures.”
“The memory of the Holocaust and World War II must be a warning for us and our descendants,” President of the Republic of Poland Andrzej Duda wrote. “It is our duty to do everything within our power to ensure that such a nightmare should never happen again.”