Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan reaffirmed on Thursday, in a message delivered to the participants at the annual commemoration ceremony for victims of the Holocaust, the Government’s commitment to combating antisemitism, xenophobia, radicalization and hate-inciting speech, as well as to promoting education and research about the Holocaust.
„Today, October 9, we remember all the victims of the Holocaust in Romania and pay them a respectful homage. On this day, we must also reflect on one thing. Our fellow beings were systematically persecuted and killed simply because they were Jewish or Romanian. But it was also our fellow human beings who orchestrated these atrocities and allowed hatred to take the reins. However, as history shows us, hatred is not a compass that leads to progress and development. It leads to immeasurable tragedies. The beginning of the deportations 84 years ago marked the path to all the tortures and crimes against the Jews. Yet, October 9 was not just a beginning, but the result of years of propaganda and poisoning of the collective mindset with antisemitism. An honest and mature memory requires us to know and take responsibility for history in its entirety, with its good and bad aspects,” according to the Prime Minister’s message, delivered by Mihai Jurca, the Head of the Chancellery of the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister believes that intensifying efforts to promote respect for our fellow citizens and for fundamental human rights and freedoms is the only path to progress.
„Hatred has spread over time, but it is up to us not to remain indifferent or silent, so that extremist, antisemitic, racist, or xenophobic manifestations do not gain resonance in the present. The new wave of antisemitism that has swept the world following the Hamas terrorist attack on October 7, 2023, was not only a test of the resilience of democratic values, but also a stimulus to intensify our efforts. It remains essential to strengthen social cohesion by promoting the resilience of democracy, the respect for all our fellow citizens, diversity, as well as fundamental human rights and freedoms. This is the only path to progress,” Bolojan mentioned.
The Prime Minister underscored that the Romanian Government’s commitment to combating antisemitism, xenophobia, radicalization and hate-inciting speech, as well as to promoting education and research regarding the Holocaust, „stems from the moral duty we have toward all those we bring to mind today.”
„I assure you that we will continue government actions along these lines, in partnership and collaboration with the leadership of the Federation of Jewish Communities in Romania, Mosaic Cult. Finally, our thoughts go to all those who suffered, who were humiliated, persecuted and killed, as well as to those who survived these atrocities and share their painful experiences with us. And precisely because, unfortunately, their numbers are dwindling, it is all the more important to carry their message forward. Today, we remember them for ourselves,” Bolojan conveyed.
The „Elie Wiesel” National Institute for the Study of the Holocaust in Romania organized on Thursday the annual commemoration ceremony for victims of the Holocaust. The wreath-laying ceremony at the Holocaust Memorial in Bucharest was attended by President Nicusor Dan, representatives of Parliament, the Government, the Diplomatic Corps, Jewish and Roma communities, as well as pupils from Bucharest. AGERPRES
