21 February 2019
Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center, expresses its profound concern in light of the recent violent antisemitic events against Jews and Jewish symbols in France and throughout Europe. We have witnessed different incidents including the desecration of graves, usage of swastikas, assaults on individuals and the widespread use of social media to spread antisemitism.
The use of symbols related to the Nazi ideology is designed to provoke and spread hatred. The Holocaust is a reminder to humanity that we have a responsibility to be vigilant and act forcefully by educating the public and in particular the younger generation to the dangers of racism and antisemitism.
Yad Vashem is determined to continue its work in raising awareness of this subject through our international educational programs and commemoration activities. Today, remembrance of the Holocaust and its significance, are more relevant than ever to the entire world.
Chairman of the Yad Vashem Directorate Avner Shalev: "We stand with the Jewish community in France and its leadership and we call upon the governments of democratic countries throughout the world – and particularly in Europe – to immediately implement legal, moral and educational measures in their nations to protect the lives of their Jewish citizens and to fight against the outbreak of antisemitism that we have witnessed lately."
