The Euro-Asian Jewish Congress welcomes the statement by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance condemning the rehabilitation of Nazi collaborators.

Photo: International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance

The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), which unites 35 countries, has issued a statement condemning "any attempts to rehabilitate individuals implicated in the crimes of the Holocaust and the genocide of the Roma."

The President of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress, Dr. Michael Mirilashvili, welcomed the IHRA statement: "The policy of historical memory is undergoing a complex process of formation, giving rise to critical questions that demand clear answers. In certain nations, individuals directly or indirectly implicated in the murder of Jews have become symbols of national struggle and have been elevated to the status of national heroes. The deliberate obfuscation of their antisemitic ideology and actions directly amounts to the rewriting of history. Such a policy is unacceptable and contradicts international standards."

Preserving historical memory, preventing Holocaust denial, and condemning the glorification of Nazi collaborators represent core priorities of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress. Our mission is to safeguard historical truth and to commemorate the victims and heroes.

President Mirilashvili also emphasized that "a national hero embodies the national idea and serves as a fundamental cornerstone for the formation of national identity. In this regard, state leaders bear direct responsibility for making the right choice for the sake of future generations."

Within the framework of its "Public Diplomacy" program, the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress actively promotes the adoption of the IHRA working definition of antisemitism among the countries of the Euro-Asian region. Moldova and Serbia have officially adopted this practical tool designed to identify antisemitism; other states in the region are currently evaluating this crucial step.

"Given the rising tide of antisemitism, it is of paramount importance to direct attention toward the development of appropriate legislation, as well as the integration of Holocaust studies into state educational curricula. We are joining forces with the IHRA and the World Jewish Congress to initiate historical and social research, and to foster public awareness and political accountability regarding the rehabilitation or revision of historical chapters," said the Director General of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress, Dr. Haim Ben Yakov.