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- Written by Spokesperson of the President's Office
In light of the recent rise in violence, President Rivlin held an emergency briefing for ambassadors of European Union member states in Israel
President Rivlin:
“We will not allow violence and disruption. Palestinian extremists have turned the Temple Mount into a cache for weapons, and a base for attacks. We cannot allow this holy site to be used for violent disorder that threatens both Jewish and Muslim worshippers.”
“The men and women of the Israel Police have acted heroically to restore order and to allow all Jerusalemites to live and pray safely.”
“Yesterday, our capital city, Jerusalem, was attacked. Since then, hundreds of rockets have been fired on our cities and thousands of children have been taken by their parents to the bomb shelters. No country in the world would accept a situation like this. We will never accept this reality. We will protect our citizens by all means necessary.”
President of Israel Reuven (Ruvi) Rivlin today, Tuesday 11 May / 29 Iyyar, held an emergency briefing in light of the recent rise in violence for ambassadors of European Union member states in Israel. The briefing was attended by the EU states’ ambassadors, headed by European Union Ambassador to Israel Emmanuele Giaufret and ambassadors of Germany, Italy, Spain, France and others.
“I wanted to talk with you today about the winds of peace blowing in our region, but you are aware of the provocations, the terrorist attacks and Hamas violence that has turned Ramadan into a nightmare,” said the president to the ambassadors. “Last week, I hosted an Iftar meal at Beit HaNasi for Muslim ambassadors and leaders. They all know that Jerusalem is an open city where people of all religions pray freely. During the month of Ramadan, tens of thousands of Muslims have prayed safely on the Temple Mount, as they do throughout the year. We will always protect and preserve freedom of religion and of worship, but we will not allow violence and disruption that threaten the safety of all Jerusalemites – Jews, Christians and Muslims alike. In recent weeks, we have seen a rise in Palestinian violence against Jews across Jerusalem. Many of these attacks were shared on social media. They have led to outbreaks of violence where Palestinian extremists have turned the Temple Mount into a cache for weapons, and a base for attacks. We cannot allow this holy site to be used for violent disorder that threatens both Jewish and Muslim worshippers. The men and women of the Israel Police have acted heroically to restore order and to allow all Jerusalemites to live and pray safely. As you all know, without any precursor violence, yesterday afternoon our capital city, Jerusalem, was attacked in a barrage of Hamas rockets. Since then, hundreds of rockets have been fired on our cities and thousands of children have been taken by their parents to the bomb shelters. No country in the world would accept a situation like this. We will never accept this reality. We will protect our citizens by all means necessary.”
“As I have said many times before, Arabs and Jews are not doomed to live together. We are destined to do so. The path to peace depends on regional partnerships, developing initiatives that bring benefits to all sides, and building mutual trust and understanding. These are the foundations of peace,” said the president. “In the Middle East as in Europe, there are no short cuts. Peace cannot be based on a piece of paper. Peace cannot develop by attacking Israel in UN bodies or by harming Israel’s right to defend itself through the International Criminal Court. The European Union can play a vital role in promoting Israeli-Palestinian cooperation to the benefit of all sides.”
“The Israeli-Palestinian arena is very important, but there is no reason for EU-Israel relations to be held hostage to the relations between Jerusalem, Ramallah and Gaza. Conditions of this sort damage our future relations, contribute nothing to the Palestinians and do not advance our shared goal of peace. I know that many of you have visited our borders. You have seen for yourselves the threats we face from Iran and its proxies, including Hezbollah. I know that your governments are committed to Israel’s security, and that is why it is crucial to act decisively against terrorism, against Iran’s threats and nuclear ambitions and to put Hezbollah and its various branches beyond the law,” he said in conclusion.
Photo credit: Mark Neyman (GPO)
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- Written by Israel Ministry of Defense
Israel Ministry of Defense and Hellenic Ministry of National Defense Sign Expansive Agreement
The agreement amounts to approximately NIS 5.4 billion and includes the establishment and operation of an International Flight Training Center for the Hellenic Air Force, by Elbit Systems over a period of 22 years.
Defense Minister, Benny Gantz: “This cooperation agreement rests on the excellence of Israel’s defense industry and the strong relations between the defense establishments of Greece and Israel. I thank the Greek Minister of Defense, Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos for promoting the agreement, which we had discussed at the last trilateral meeting held in Cyprus. I am certain that [this program] will upgrade the capabilities and strengthen the economies of Israel and Greece and thus the partnership between our two countries will deepen on the defense, economic and political levels.”
On Friday (16.04.2021), Head of the Directorate for International Defense Cooperation (SIBAT), in the Israel Ministry of Defense, Brig. Gen. (Res.), Yair Kulas signed the biggest defense agreement to date, between the State of Israel and Greece. As part of the agreement, the Israel Ministry of Defense and Elbit Systems will lead the establishment of an International Flight Training Center for the Hellenic Air Force. Modeled after the Israel Air Force (IAF) flight academy, the Greek International Flight Training Center will be equipped with 10 M-346 training aircraft produced by Italian company, Leonardo.
The G-to-G agreement amounts to around NIS 5.4 billion and will span over 22 years. Within the framework of the agreement, Elbit Systems will provide kits to upgrade and operate the Hellenic Air Force's T-6 aircraft. Elbit will also provide training, simulators and logistical support. In the future, the parties will also consider areas of cooperation between the Israeli flight academy and Hellenic Airforce Academy.
SIBAT Director Brig. Gen. (res.) Yair Kulas: "The strategic partnership between the Israel Ministry of Defense and Hellenic Ministry of National Defense is further cemented today, via the signing of the most expansive and one of the most significant defense agreements to date. I would like to thank the Hellenic Ministry of National Defense for choosing Israel and we look forward to future opportunities for partnership and collaboration.
President and CEO of Elbit Systems, Bezhalel (Butzi) Machlis: “We are honored to have been awarded this contract to provide such an important capability to the Hellenic Air Force. This contract award attests to the leading position we hold in the area of training, providing tested know-how and proven technologies that improve readiness while reducing costs.”
Photo credit: Hellenic Ministry of Defense
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- Written by Silvia G. Golan
The only Yom HaShoah event dedicated annually to commemorating the heroism of Jews who rescued fellow Jews during the Holocaust
The B’nai B’rith World Center in Jerusalem and Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael (KKL-JNF) on Thursday, April 8, will hold, for the 20th consecutive year, a joint Holocaust commemoration ceremony on Holocaust Martyrs' and Heroes' Remembrance Day.
This is the only Yom HaShoah event dedicated annually to commemorating the heroism of Jews who rescued fellow Jews during the Holocaust. The ceremony will take place at the B’nai B’rith Martyr’s Forest “Scroll of Fire” Plaza at 10 a.m. Israel time.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions this year's ceremony will be held at the forest with limited attendance and will be broadcast live on YouTube.
The B'nai B'rith Martyr’s Forest is the largest joint B’nai B’rith and KKL-JNF project, which memorializes the victims of the Holocaust with six million trees planted in the picturesque Jerusalem mountains near Moshav Kesalon.
At the pinnacle of the forest stands the “Scroll of Fire,” created by renowned sculptor Nathan Rapoport, which invokes the destruction of the Jewish people in the Holocaust and their redemption in the State of Israel.
The event will commence with personal testimonies by Holocaust survivors and rescuers.
This year's ceremony honors Wilhelm Filderman and Itschak Artzi (Romania), José Aboulker (Algiers) and 10 other rescuers who operated in Poland, France and Belgium.
For the first time, two rescuers from Mandatory Palestine – paratrooper Hannah Szenes and WZO official Moshe Shapiro – will be recognized with the Jewish Rescuers Citation.
Photo Andarta Courtesy: Yossi Zamir.
Hannah Senesh picture: Courtesy: Senesh family.
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- Written by Silvia
* Holocaust Remembrance Day ceremony at the Cameri Theater * Special ceremony to remember gay victims of the Holocaust * 'Zikaron B'Salon' and Holocaust survivor testimonials across Tel Aviv-Yafo *
Tel Aviv-Yafo, April 6 – Tel Aviv-Yafo will mark Holocaust Remembrance Day (Yom Hashoah), commencing tomorrow evening (Wednesday, April 7). For event coverage, please coordinate in advance with Tel Aviv-Yafo Municipality.
Central Holocaust Remembrance Day ceremony at the Cameri Theater
Wednesday, April 7, 8 p.m., Cameri Theater, 19 Shaul HaMelech Blvd.
The central Holocaust Remembrance Day ceremony at the Cameri Theater will be attended by Mayor Ron Huldai, hosted by Dvir Benedek and feature a series of songs and performances.
The ceremony will be held in accordance with Green Pass regulations. More details here: https://bit.ly/3sSS3Ph
Holocaust Remembrance Day Ceremony in memory of gay community victims
Wednesday, April 7, 7:30 p.m., Beit Ariela, 25 Shaul HaMelech Blvd.
Alternative reading excerpts, acting and singing performances, and a puppet show hosted by the "Proud Ensemble" and featuring an opera singer.
The ceremony will be held in accordance with Green Pass regulations. More details here (Hebrew): https://lgbtqcenter.org.il/yumhashoa/
Holocaust survivor testimonials: "Zikaron B'Salon" across Tel Aviv-Yafo
Commencing Wednesday, April 7, from 6 p.m., at community centers across the city (advance registration required)
- Zikaron B'Salon in Florentin (Hebrew): Join Dani Sheraf at the Florentin Community Center (74 Abarnabel St., 6:30 p.m.) and learn his mother’s story - the family’s sole survivor: https://bit.ly/3rQWnNJ
- Zikaron B'Salon at Gordon Pool (Hebrew): Join Italian Holocaust survivor Ada Bolotin at Gordon Pool (14 Eliezer Peri St., 6:30 p.m.), and learn her inspiring story at this open-air event: https://bit.ly/3wB98jl
- Zikaron B'Salon in Neve Tzedek (French): French speakers are invited to join an evening of remembrance with Clara Brodesh at the Neve Tsedek Community Center (22 Shabazi St., 7 p.m.): https://bit.ly/3rNBTW9
* Reminder: A two-minute siren will be sounded at 10 a.m. on Thursday, April 8 *
Picture of the memorial statue in Rabin Square. Credit to Barak Brinker
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- Written by Yad Vashem
Yad Vashem Marks International Holocaust Remembrance Day
Israel's President will address the Diplomatic Corps serving in Israel at Yad Vashem's Online Symposium on Wednesday – broadcast live on Yad Vashem's YouTube Channel starting at 15:30
Yad Vashem launches new virtual tour of "Shoah" located at Block 27 of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial Museum
(25 January 2021 - Jerusalem) Despite the temporary closure of the Mount of Remembrance in Jerusalem as a result of the ongoing global health crisis, Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center, is actively marking the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust through a range of online events and activities. January 27, chosen by the United Nations in 2005 to serve as International Holocaust Remembrance Day, is the anniversary of the liberation of the concentration and extermination camp Auschwitz-Birkenau in 1945. "Seventy-six years later, the history and stories from the Holocaust are more relevant than ever," remarks Yad Vashem Chairman Avner Shalev. "Today, as the world continues to battle expressions of hatred, antisemitism and xenophobia, the significance and meanings of the Holocaust are particularly relevant."
Shalev will participate in Yad Vashem's annual symposium for the International Diplomatic Corps serving in Israel, this year to be held online due to the current lockdown in Israel. Israel's President H.E. Mr. Reuven "Ruvi" Rivlin and H.E. Ambassador Gil Haskel, Chief of State Protocol, Ministry of Foreign Affairs will address the participants. Yad Vashem Senior Historian Dr. David Silberklang will also present a lecture, entitled "The Path from Mass Shootings to the Final Solution," relating to the central theme of the upcoming Holocaust Remembrance Day to be observed in Israel on April 8, 2021. The public is invited to watch this event live on Yad Vashem's YouTube channel on Wednesday, 27 January 2021 beginning at 15:30.
Online
Yad Vashem has created a mini-site marking International Holocaust Remembrance Day, featuring a variety of resources the public can view, share and engage in, including online exhibitions, educational resources and the unique IRemember Wall .
Yad Vashem will be hosting for the first time ever an online virtual guided tour of the permanent exhibition "Shoah" located in the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum. The virtual tour will take visitors through the Jewish Pavilion known as Block 27 in Auschwitz I, exploring the central themes of the Holocaust, offering insights into the rich Jewish life that existed prior to 1939 and the world of children during the Shoah, and showcasing the monumental Book of Names.
In addition to the virtual tour, Yad Vashem has curated and uploaded "My Lost Childhood," a new online exhibition featuring seven children's homes established after the end of WWII. Through the voices of survivor testimony, as well as artifacts, photographs and documents from Yad Vashem's unrivalled collections, this moving exhibition brings to life the terrifying ordeals of the children brought to the homes, and how they were gently assisted – often by survivors themselves – to re-enter normative society.
Worldwide
Members of Yad Vashem's senior staff, historians and educators will participate in various events and ceremonies around the world marking International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
Yad Vashem's Ready2Print exhibitions will be displayed in dozens of community centers and institutions around the world, including locations in Spain, Germany, Greece, the United Arab Emirates, Taiwan and the United Kingdom.
