Minister of Social Affairs Yaakov Margi participated today (Tuesday) in the special meeting to mark International Holocaust Remembrance Day, under the theme "Holocaust Survivors in Light of the 'Iron Swords' War - From Crisis to Growth," which was held by the Special Committee for the Care of Holocaust Survivors, headed by MK Merav Cohen.
The meeting was attended by Holocaust survivors whose family members were kidnapped and are being held captive by Hamas, as well as Holocaust survivors from the Gaza Strip who spoke about the double trauma and difficult memories following the events of October 7th.
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The meeting was attended by the ambassadors of Russia, Greece, Latvia and Romania and representatives from the embassies of the Netherlands, Poland, Estonia, France, the Czech Republic, Belarus and Kazakhstan.
Minister Margi delivered a strong speech against the hypocrisy of the countries of the world:
""Holocaust survivors, embassy representatives, distinguished guests. In Parashat Zachor we are commanded: 'Remember what Amalek did to you under heaven, you shall not forget.' Ostensibly, if it says 'remember,' why was the commandment 'you shall not forget' written again afterwards?"
""I want to say categorically: I am not the same person after October 7th, I am a man of the establishment, I am a man of faith, of trust, I thought I lived in an enlightened world, in all my speeches on Holocaust Remembrance Day and for the fallen IDF soldiers I always say: 'No more.' We will do our internal reckoning within the State of Israel, and we will do a sharp reckoning. But I also have a sharp reckoning with the world, for which we are generally required to give explanations. We thought that the world had come a long way after the Holocaust, but unfortunately the world is going in the opposite direction - bowing its head to terror, surrendering to terror and to countries that fund terror for interests, for lentil stew. I am ashamed and embarrassed that I belong to this humanity, to this universe.".
The minister added: "After October 7th, if anyone thought and had any doubts, they will hear the fresh stories from October 7th. There is no comparison between the Holocaust and October 7th, but I am not surprised that Tzili Wenkert - a Holocaust survivor, the grandmother of Omar Wenkert who is being held captive by Hamas - says, 'This is my second Holocaust.' It is not like that Holocaust, but it is a Holocaust! Are we required to give explanations and apologize for defending ourselves? They say an 'enlightened' world. I do not live in an enlightened world!
""I thank all the survivors who came and told their personal stories. I think it's a testament to life, a testament to humanity! What can we do? We are the chosen people, that's what we believe, we were probably chosen to be the human protector of this cruel world. International Holocaust Remembrance Day was not a given either. The State of Israel had to work hard so that the UN would make the decision to mark this day. These are the values that we will buy and continue to give to the world so that, with God's help, this world will be an enlightened world.".
