"Anti-Semitism in the heart of the West": President Herzog spoke at the European Union; Chants of "Palestine will be liberated" during the speech Israel today

Provocation and desecration of the memory of the Holocaust in the European Parliament: During these hours there is

A permanent performance commemorating the victims of the Holocaust was inaugurated at the entrance to the parliament.

This event is taking place during a two-day visit by the President to commemorate International Holocaust Remembrance Day, which will take place tomorrow (January 27), the day the Auschwitz camp was liberated by the Red Army 78 years ago.

Herzog will be the main speaker this morning at the special meeting that the parliament will hold to mark the special date.

In his speech, he is expected to call on Europe to take a firmer stance against Iran, and to implement practical measures in order to curb its international aggression.

President Herzog before leaving for Belgium // Photo: Ariel Kahana

During the speech given by Herzog, he referred to the Holocaust as a "dark abyss" in human history and as a historical lesson for Europe.

"We must remember not only the Holocaust and the destruction, but also the holy covenant that was made on the side of the terrible disaster," said the president.

"We must sanctify the memory of those who perished, raise to a miracle the well-being of the survivors who are still with us, teach and educate in the light of the lessons of the historical catastrophe, and prevent the recurrence of the horrific crimes."

"Today we see movements from the fringes of European and global politics that brilliantly carry the ugly flag of anti-Semitism, which once again threatens to turn a democratic and civilized society into a society that eats its inhabitants. Unfortunately, the picture is alarming. Very alarming. The anti-Semitic discourse does not only occur in dark regimes, it occurs in the heart of its heart of the West, the democratic, the free. Hatred of Jews still exists. Anti-Semitism still exists. Holocaust denial still exists." 

The President appealed to the members of the European Parliament to act against anti-Semitism.

"Don't stand by": "You must read the warning signs, recognize the symptoms of the epidemic of anti-Semitism, and fight it at all costs. You must ensure that every Jew who wishes to live a full Jewish life in your country will do so safely and without fear."

The president continued to refer to the criticism of the new Israeli government's policy.

"I would like to emphasize the elusive line between criticizing the State of Israel and denying its existence."

In his speech, Herzog referred to the ties we stood strong in the face of the attacks of our enemies, and no less important - we extended a hand for peace, and made unprecedented alliances and peace agreements, including the Abraham Accords, which changed and are changing the Middle East from one end to the other;

And I pray for the day when we reach peace with our Palestinian neighbors as well.

An essential and fundamental part of our country's growth is based on close ties and strong alliances with European countries and with the institutions of the European Union.

The State of Israel and Europe are inextricably linked.

Our common interests, and even more, the common values, dictate our present, and shape our future.

Freedom, equality, justice, peace - these are the fundamental values ​​enshrined in the Declaration of Independence of the State of Israel, and which we will preserve and protect at all costs;

And these are the founding values ​​of the European Union.

I stand here not only in the name of the past, but also for the sake of the future - for our common prosperity, for the implementation of the understanding that together - in a true partnership - we can overcome more challenges, and realize more opportunities.

I call on you and your countries to act to expand,

To deepen and strengthen the partnership between us.

There is so much we can and should do together, for our sake, for our future, and for future generations.

Respected, this is a testing hour for all of us.

If we believe that the voice of justice will not be silenced;

If we believe in a different, more compassionate humanity: we must act together as one community - determined and united, against the forces of darkness and hatred that threaten us forever.

As the president of the State of Israel, I mean first and foremost the Iranian regime - which not only publicly calls for the complete destruction of my country, but also murders the daughters and sons of its people who seek freedom and human and civil rights for themselves, inflames civil wars throughout the Middle East, takes an active and lethal part in the war in Ukraine, and develops Weapons of mass destruction - on the way to a dramatic threat to the entire global stability.

 The Speaker of the Parliament, Roberta Matsola, said that "the Holocaust did not start in Auschwitz but with things that happened long before and because people kept silent.

But we are not silent in the face of the crimes taking place in Ukraine.'

Mutsula added that "being anti-Semitic means being anti-European."

In the second half of the day, Herzog will brief the NATO leadership on Israel's security challenges. This will be the first time that a senior Israeli representative speaks before this forum.

Herzog will meet with the Secretary General of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg, and with senior officials of the organization.

Here, too, the issue of Iran is expected to come up in detail and in detail.

Yesterday, Herzog met with the President of the European Union, Ursula von der Leyen.

He told her that "one of the challenges facing us, and I think it is already clear that it is also facing Europe, is the fact that Iran is in Europe."

He also told her: "Iran is fighting the citizens of Ukraine by supplying drones and deadly weapons, endangering the world in its pursuit of nuclear capabilities, killing and torturing its citizens. We believe that the time has come for Europe to take a very firm position on the Iranian issue."

Anti-Israeli atmosphere

Von der Leyen replied that "We renewed the Association Council, signed a tripartite agreement on energy and more. I am sure that if we look into our relationship, the strongest expression of friendship between Israel and the European Union are the 15 thousand Erasmus students who came from the European Union to Israel, But also from Israel to the European Union."

Earlier, Herzog met with the King of the Belgians, Philip Leopold.

A significant part of his agenda was dedicated to exciting meetings in the Jewish community.

The president spoke with my students at the "Ganno" school and encouraged them to immigrate to Israel.

Herzog gets on the plane to Belgium, photo: Haim Tzach/L.A.M

In the Great Synagogue of Brussels he received a certificate of appreciation.

Herzog addressed the controversy in Israel over the legal reform and said that "it is no secret that at this moment the Israeli collective is facing real questions, which have direct consequences for the democratic and Jewish dimensions of our country. But I would like to remind all of us that dealing with difficult questions has always been part of the Jewish way."

A political official told Israel Hayom that there is a strong anti-Israeli atmosphere in Belgium and that the messages hostile to Israel are already being heard in kindergartens.

Calls for a boycott of Israel as well as hateful letters addressed to the Israeli embassies have become commonplace.

Civil society organizations, which are allowed to operate freely, are responsible for the inciting atmosphere.

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