At Yad Vashem, PM Says Holocaust Taught Israel To Defend Themselves

WATCH: At Yad Vashem, PM says Holocaust taught Jews to count only on themselves

By TOI STAFF

The Times of Israel is liveblogging the World Holocaust Forum event in Jerusalem attended by dozens of world leaders, and other events unfolding Thursday.

PM: World turned its back on us during Holocaust; now we defend ourselves

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu takes to the stage in Jerusalem, saying “Israel is eternally grateful for the sacrifice made by the Allies” during World War II. “Without that sacrifice there would be no survivors today.”

But, he adds, “we also remember that some 80 years ago, when the Jewish people faced annihilation, the world turned its back on us.”

He says, “The Jewish people have learned the lessons of the Holocaust: that we cannot take threats to annihilate us lightly; to confront threats when they are small; and above all, even though we greatly appreciate the help of our friends, to defend ourselves by ourselves.”

Rivlin: Anti-Semitism a malignant disease that dismantles peoples and countries

Speaking first at the Yad Vashem event, President Reuven Rivlin thanks world leaders in attendance “for your commitment to remembering the Shoah, for your commitment to the citizens of the world, to those who believe in the dignity of man.”

He says democracy must not be taken for granted.

The Jewish people know that “if we do not remember then history can be repeated.”

He says anti-Semitism “does not only stop with Jews. Racism and anti-Semitism is a malignant disease that dismantles peoples and countries, and no democracy and no society is immune to that.”

He adds that Israel is not a compensation for the Holocaust… It was established because it is our homeland.” Israel “is no longer a victim. We will always defend ourselves and our people.”

Main ceremony of World Holocaust Forum now starting at Yad Vashem

The ceremony at Yad Vashem, which is the main event of the Fifth World Holocaust Forum, is now starting. The event marks 75 years since the liberation of the Nazi Auschwitz death camp.

Here, again, is a livestream of the event, which brings dozens of world leaders to Jerusalem.