Anti-Semitism is still spreading in the world, and unfortunately we continue to see attacks against Jewish institutions • We must mobilize to defeat hatred of others and racism • Column for International Holocaust Remembrance Day
President Rivlin at a ceremony marking Holocaust Martyrs 'and Heroes' Remembrance Day
Photography:
Oren Ben Hakon
The Jewish people are a people who remember their past.
However, it is our duty not only to remember the past, but also to remind the world of the lessons of history, for a better future for all of humanity.
A year ago, we gathered at the President's House and at Yad Vashem in Jerusalem about 50 leaders from around the world.
Together we renewed our common commitment - to remember the Holocaust and fight anti-Semitism.
Since the historic conference we have experienced a global epidemic.
This plague claimed the lives of 900 Holocaust survivors in Israel, who passed away quietly and alone.
900 life stories of struggle, survival, building a home in Israel and revival - and the loss is unbearable.
The plague that is changing our world has led to social distance, on the one hand, and closed borders between countries.
But on the other hand, it reminded us of our humanity and our need to work together to meet the challenge.
Just as the Corona virus obliges all countries to join hands to defeat it, so we are required to do to defeat the virus of anti-Semitism and hatred of the other.
We must show zero tolerance for all forms of anti-Semitism, racism and hatred of the other, whether they raise their ugly heads in the streets or across the network or in the centers of power.
Unfortunately, anti-Semitism and Holocaust denial continue to spread around the world.
Under the auspices of the Corona plague, more and more antisemitic conspiracy theories were born, and we continue to see attacks against synagogues and Jewish institutions.
This year, too, on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, the 76th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, one of the terrible symbols of the darkest period in human history, we pledge to continue to remind the world and continue working with the free world to make our common oath "never again" a common reality.
May the memory of our brothers and sisters, six million women, men and children, be blessed.