Romania has made remarkable progress over the past two decades in preserving the lessons of the past in the collective memory and in combating anti-Semitism, racism, xenophobia and hatred, President Klaus Iohannis said Thursday in a message delivered in the context of the 83rd anniversary of the Iasi Pogrom.
The message was presented by state counselor Constantin Ionescu at the official ceremony commemorating the victims organized in Iasi.
In his message, the president emphasised that „education remains the most effective tool to thwart attempts to deny the history of the Holocaust and to discourage possible hate-motivated behaviour”.
„Every year in Iasi, our commitment to remembrance, human dignity, respect and tolerance is renewed by honouring the memory of the victims of the Iasi Pogrom, one of the most tragic events of the Second World War, which deeply marked our history. Eighty-three years ago, tens of thousands of lives were tragically and brutally cut short by order of the Ion Antonescu regime. Torn from their homes, subjected to brutality and forced to breathe their last breath in the courtyard of the Chestura [name of the police station at the time, editor’s note] or on the ‘death trains’, the Jews were deprived of any protection and driven without remorse to their death,” said Klaus Iohannis.
In this context, he noted the testimonies „of resilience, courage and compassion that sprang from the midst of darkness, survivors and rescuers who had the strength to pass on their stories to right our society”.
According to the president, the Iasi Pogrom „was not an isolated event, but was the result of the escalation of anti-Semitic attitudes, fueled by destructive rhetoric, a surrender of the human spirit to prejudice”.
„This unleashing of absolute evil demonstrates that indifference in the face of hatred, discrimination, anti-Semitism and intolerance can allow evil to dominate and destroy communities, traumatising societies and entire generations. It is therefore vital that we refuse to remain silent in the face of injustice,” the president said.
The head of state also mentioned the current tensions in the world and the „toxic” influences at present.
„Today’s event is of particular importance, especially in the complicated international context, where toxic, anti-Semitic, racist and hateful influences are once again trying to pervert humanity. Today, when we feel the threat of extremism, it is essential to remember that the last time extremism took hold in Europe, the consequences were catastrophic for all humanity, and that period was marked by suffering and heinous crimes,” he said.
In his opinion, these attempts can be rejected „by firmly punishing all abuse, by promoting respect for international humanitarian law, by reiterating our firm and active commitment to be a strong voice against discrimination and injustice and by supporting peace and reconciliation”.
Klaus Iohannis also called for knowledge and education. „Young generations need to know the dramatic consequences of hatred and prejudice, so that they understand the importance of protecting democracy, of assuming individual responsibility in upholding values and behaviors that make our society a tolerant one, a society that defends freedom and human dignity. Young people must learn the historical truth and know how to recognize lies, misinformation and disinformation in order to build a world in which such atrocities will never be possible again,” the Head of State added.
„I urge you to cherish the bonds of faith and the values that unite us and to build a future in which justice, dignity and peace prevail for all,” Klaus Iohannis further conveyed in his message.
AGERPRES
