by
Paula R. Stern
The President of the State of Israel is speaking before a ceremony commemorating Holocaust Remembrance Day in Israel.
A rough translation of part of his speech. Missing much but here's a brief overview...
On January 27, 1945, the gates of hell opened, he tells the audience.
The allies had reached Auschwitz. There, they found the youngest
immigrant. He was 8 months there. His fater, mother, younger sister and
twin sister were murdered. He was 4 years and eight months old. His
tattooed number was A2459.
He was adopted. He grew. He came to Israel. He moved to Israel. He
married and brought children into this world. He died last month. In his
name and in the name of all of you - we have returned home and from
this place, we will never be lost. May their memory be blessed.
The Prime Minister of the State of Israel (rough translation)...
Last week, it was publicized that the allies knew about the systematic
murder of Jews in 1942. Two years more that we had known. Because of
this new knowledge, there is a terrible meaning. If they'd done
something in 1942 against those concentration camps, they could have
saved four MILLION Jews and millions of others.
They knew and they didn't act. In the hours that they sent our people
to the fires, when Mengele was torturing and experimenting. The allies
knew and did not act.
Three elements of how this was possible - hatred against the Jews, preference for other actions, and our weakness.
Has this hatred disappeared? No - this hatred continues to spread.
Has the world's priorities changed? This too we have to answer in the
negative. Even today, the world continues in silence - Cambodia,
Rhodesia, Congo...and even in Syria.
We started a field hospital for Syrians - we've treated thousands of Syrians. We're not silent. The weak wait.
We must be able to defend ourselves, at every minute, against every
enemy. And we have the power to do this. This is the greatest job, of
every prime minister of Israel. I say this for all of us, the
generations the built this country and the ones who continue to build
it. We have switched the weakness to strength. A people without defense,
to a people who defend.
We excel in intelligence, in strength, in development against
anti-Semitism. I say to you, people of Israel, this is a huge overturn.
Small nation, a tiny people who lost millions. From where does our
strength come - it comes from the spiritual faith of our people. Last
week, we met with the ones who lit the candles tonight - each story....
We heard the story of Max Frievler - saved by your father, who carried
you on his back. You were the sole survivor. I saw your mother's body,
called to your baby sister. A broken little Jewish boy. And at age 14,
you entered the Red Army. Max is here with us. Proud, strong, with
children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
We heard the story of Moshe Porat - 108080 - you told us that here in
Israel, at age 14, you were so proud that you entered the army of
Israel, and you looked on the army draft and saw the ID number 108080.
Same man. Same number. But the destiny of one so different than the
destiny of the other.
More than 10 years ago, I went to Poland. Moshe Porat...Saba Moshe
(Grandfather Moshe) went with us. He is such a special man. I'm so glad
they gave him this honor. He has worked so hard to make sure we never
forget.
Two of the six who will come before our people tonight and mark this
day. Every year, they appear more frail; every year, we know we are
blessed to have among us those who witnessed. Already, there are those
who deny - cursed may they be.
Maidanek. Chelmno. Auschwitz. Bergen-Belsen. Dachau. Treblinka...and so
many others. We each carry the tattoo...if not on our arms, then in our
hearts.
May the memories of six million be blessed.
http://israelisoldiersmother.blogspot.ca/2017/04/we-all-have-numbers-on-our-hands.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+blogspot/Rkbit+(A+Soldier%27s+Mother)
