“The gravest crime committed against humankind – Holocaust – claimed millions of innocent lives and we all, throughout the world carry the responsibility to eternally commemorate these victims”, - the Speaker, Shalva Papuashvili stated at the International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

In his speech at the ceremony hosted by the National Library, the Speaker emphasized the threat of anti-Semitism and the importance of tolerance: “This tragic date in world history reminds us of the merciless crimes committed during the Holocaust and makes us realize the threat of anti-Semitism and importance of tolerance. It is crucial to remember this day as it brings the lessons of the past and helps us resist intolerance and protect the world today and tomorrow from similar evil and ferocity and it is the awareness of the Holocaust that shall be maintained in all generations to forever prevent this gravest fact of history”.

According to the Speaker, the Georgian and Jewish nations count 26 centuries of friendship and peaceful co-existence. Georgia is the only country where Semitism could not be rooted and our Jewish compatriots were able to maintain their traditions, culture and religious identity.

As the Speaker added, each of them was an integral part of the Georgian state and society that significantly contributed to the development of our country.

The ceremony was attended by the members of the Israel-Georgia Parliamentary Friendship Group of the Knesset, Georgian MPs, representatives of the Foreign Ministry of Georgia, the diplomatic corps, the representatives of the Israeli Embassy, the Public Defender Office and the Jewish community members, as well as the Holy See Apostolic Nuncio and the UN Resident Representative to Georgia.

The Ambassador of Israel, H.E. Hadas Meitzad and the Israeli MP, Head of the Israel-Georgia Friendship Group, David Bitan also addressed the attendees.

Ambassador Meitzad thanked the Georgian Parliament and the Speaker for organizing and realizing the ceremony dedicated to Holocaust victims and dwelt on the Holocaust as one of the gravest facts in the history of mankind.

“I would like to thank you for this extremely important cooperation. Today, you officially recognized Holocaust when this day was included in our national calendar. 78 years have passed since the captives were released from the concentration camp and I would like to underline that significant steps have been taken to obtain all pieces of evidence and conduct the inquiry to never forget these people and to keep them in memory of our nation”, - she stated.

“I am proud to be privileged to spend this important day amongst our good friends. I am proud to be here as the Head of the Israel-Georgia Friendship Group. On behalf of the Knesset, I would like to express our gratitude to the Speaker of the Georgian Parliament, Mr. Shalva Papuashvili for his leadership, his interest and initiative to commemorate the Holocaust in the Parliament of Georgia. I also would like to thank my friend and counterpart, Mr. Givi Mikanadze for inviting me to participate in this very touching ceremony, which serves as a significant manifestation of the strong Israel-Georgia ties and good relations between the Parliaments”, - D. Bitan noted.

The attendees had a tour of the photo exhibition and lighted candles in commemoration of Holocaust victims.

It is the second ceremony dedicated to the Holocaust organized on behalf of the Georgian Parliament this year.