Holocaust Day: Israel Calls For Investment In Education To Avoid Recurrence

The Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman has called for adequate investment in education, to address the dangers of hate speech and hatred and to ward off any recurrence of Holocaust. 

Freeman, who is also the Permanent Representative of Israel to ECOWAS, made the call in Abuja, at the Holocaust Memorial organised by the Israeli embassy in honour of those who lost their lives during the Second World War.

International Day of Commemoration in memory of victims of the Holocaust, was established by UN General Assembly Resolution 60/7 and UN Outreach Programme, designated January 27, as annual day for its commemoration.

Ambassador Freeman said; “79 years ago, millions of Jews were murdered. Holocaust began with words, hate speech, singling out and dehumanising of Jewish people; which many people looked the other way.

“After the world stood by as millions of people were murdered, we suddenly declared `Never Again’ Holocaust denial took 30-years before it became widespread phenomenon today.

“Education is critical if we have to reverse the trend: when it happened 6-million Jews were murdered, when we talk about the number, we talk about population of cities.

“Yet, it still remains an unimaginable number, the only way to understand the dangers of Holocaust are from expression by individuals.”

The UN Resident Coordinator and WHO Country Representative, Dr Walter Mulombo,, who read the message of the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, said there is need for a collective efforts to end all forms of Holocaust.

Guterres said; “Today, we pause to mourn the six million Jewish children, women, and men systematically murdered by the Nazis and their collaborators. We recognised the horrific resonance this day of commemoration finds in our own times, the antisemitic hate that fuelled the Holocaust. We did not start with the Nazis, nor did it end with their defeat.’’

He said that, “Today, we are witnessing hate spreading at alarming speed online, it has moved from margins to the mainstream. We must remember that disdain for diversity is danger to everyone, as no society is immune to intolerance and bigotry against one group is bigotry against all. Let us never be silent in the face of discrimination, and never tolerant of intolerance. Let us speak out for human rights and the dignity of all. Let us never lose sight of each other’s humanity, and never let down our guard. To all who confront prejudice and persecution, let us clearly say: you are not alone. The United Nations stands with you.”

The British High Commissioner, Dr Richard Montgomery, who was represented by the Development Director, FCDO, of British High Commission in Nigeria, Cynthia Rowe reiterated the UK government’s  commitment to creating education and research about the Holocaust.

Rowe said; “We are building new Holocaust-memorial in London expected to be completed in 2027; UK will take on the precedence on International Day in remembrance of the victims of Holocaust in March, 2024.

“The theme of our precedence is in plain sight drawing attention that Holocaust did not happen in dark corner.”

The mission envoy explained that such would highlight suicidal practice, which allowed mass murder to have taken place on large scale.

“It is our collective responsibility to remember the horrors of the Holocaust and renew our vows that `Never again,” the Envoy said.

At the event one of the Holocaust survivor, Mala Tribich, shared her experience virtually.