United Nations, New York, 26 January 2007
Thank You, Madame President.
My delegation wishes to thank, first and foremost, all the co-sponsors of this resolution on Holocaust denial, as well as all the members in this Hall who supported this resolution and what it stands for.
The adoption of the resolution on Holocaust remembrance (A/60/7) by consensus more than a year ago was an historic milestone for this General Assembly – for the United Nations – and an important step in bolstering the founding principles of this world body.
But more so, the resolution on Holocaust remembrance reflected the understanding of this Assembly that the lessons of the Holocaust are universal; that speaking out and educating about the Nazi’s brutal and systematic murder of the Jewish people must focus world attention on the horror of genocide, and compel all nations and people of good will to recommit their efforts to preventing such atrocities.
Regrettably, as we have seen since then, these lessons are being rejected and flaunted in certain parts of the world. While the nations of the world gather here today to voice in unison their collective commitment to condemning Holocaust denial – without reservation, in any and all forms – a Member of this Assembly continues to deny that eternal truth. While the nations of the world gather here to affirm the historicity of the Holocaust with the intent of never again allowing genocide, a Member of this Assembly is acquiring the capabilities to carryout out its own. The President of Iran is in fact saying: “There really was no Holocaust, but just in case, we shall finish the job!”
His pathetic mouthpiece who has just disassociated his country from the international community just amplified this call in the most cynical and hypocritical way. The resolution adopted unanimously answers this horrible statement in the most emphatic way.
It is against this backdrop that the draft resolution on Holocaust denial was conceived. The international community carries the profound responsibility of ensuring that the Holocaust and its lessons are never forgotten. The Holocaust serves as a warning to all people of the profound dangers of hatred, bigotry, and racism. Joining on this resolution is an affirmation that the Holocaust is not up for question or debate. The lessons of the Holocaust carry such universal weight they cannot be carried solely by the Jewish people. This is precisely why the nations of the world supported the resolution on Holocaust remembrance last year, and are supporting this one on Holocaust denial.
This coming Monday, knowing that the nations of the world will not sit idly by and condone Holocaust denial, we will observe the second annual international day of commemoration in memory of the victims for the Holocaust. This day is an opportunity for all of us, for this Assembly, for all Member States, for the people of the world, to recommit ourselves to human rights and the prevention of genocide. Protecting the memory of the Holocaust is an act of ensuring the future of mankind.
The draft resolution today reminds those who viciously deny the Holocaust that they cannot escape the truth of reality.
Let the next 72 hours, between today’s adoption of the resolution on Holocaust denial and Monday’s observance of Holocaust remembrance day, be a time of reflection and commitment for all us, to affirm our collective duty of remembering the Holocaust and act, now, to prevent the next one.
Indeed, at this time, the words of Winston Churchill, proclaimed more than two years before the start of the Second World War, on November 12, 1936, are more poignant than ever:
“The era of procrastination, of half measures, of soothing and baffling expedients, of delays, is coming to a close. In its place, we are entering a period of consequences.”
Madame President,
Allow me on this solemn occasion to speak to the Holocaust survivors and families of the victim around the world, especially those in Israel. And let me say to them:
This is for you. I dedicate this historic resolution to you, giving you back your personal history which evil minds have tried to erase and rob you of.
As I stand here now, the sun is setting over Israel heralding in the holy day of the Sabbath.
As you say your prayers today, you can feel that the whole world is praying with you, telling you that you are not alone.
And it is from this podium that I say to you: “Shabbat Shalom.”
Thank You, Madame President.
