Sammy Revel, Ambassador of Israel in Cyprus

In the opening of his important book, “If this is a Man”, Primo Levi wrote:

Primo Levi was born in Turin, Italy, and was deported by the Nazis to the Auschwitz Extermination camp at the age of 21. He survived starvation, freezing temperatures and illness, until the liberation of Auschwitz in 1945, and was able to write his moving books on the horrors of the Holocaust.

The Holocaust (Shoah in Hebrew) is the darkest chapter of Human History. The Nazis and their accomplices exterminated Six million Jews – men, women and children. One million Jews were murdered in Auschwitz, most of them in gas chambers. Nazi Germany’s ideology and murderous policy aimed to obliterate Jewish life throughout Europe.

Primo Levi’s words emphasize that for us living today it is impossible even to begin to comprehend these horrors. The antisemitism and racism, the hatred, the almost complete disappearance of any sense of humanity during the era of the Holocaust. “Shoah. How was it Humanly possible?” was the title of the exhibition organized last year, in cooperation between the Embassy of Israel and the Ministry of Education and Culture of Cyprus.

The memory of the Holocaust is fundamental for humanity to prevail. 27 January 2021, the International Holocaust Remembrance Day, will mark this year 76 years since the liberation of Auschwitz Birkenau concentration camp. Yet we must continue to listen carefully to the testimonies of the few remaining survivors. To ask the difficult questions and learn the much needed lessons.

In the past few years, the Embassy of Israel hosted in Cyprus Greek-Jewish holocaust survivors. They shared, in various Cypriot cities and before different publics, their testimonies of the traumatic events and the horrors of the Holocaust.

In these days of Coronavirus, as we face many challenges, our special thoughts are with the Holocaust survivors, often isolated from their close ones. Calling lately to wish a good new year to Ms. Lola Angel, Bergen-Belsen survivor, who we had the pleasure to host in Cyprus last year, she was nonetheless full of optimism. Talking to her reminded me of the strong emotional experience of her visit here in Cyprus one year ago. This made a long lasting impression on all teachers and students in high schools around the island.

It is an important privilege to listen to the last survivors. For young students it is a powerful experience. This is essential so this dark chapter of history will always be remembered. To ensure human beings will be aware of the dangers, which exist when humanity disappears.

Looking forward, the lessons of the past are a fundamental pillar in building a future without Antisemitism, Racism and Hatred. This is especially relevant today, as these dangerous phenomena are unfortunately rising again in different countries around the world.

In Cyprus, significant progress is being made to increase the awareness and create appropriate political and educational platforms. The Cyprus Government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has applied for an observer status at the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), and has adopted its working definition of Antisemitism. This is an important step, building a moral compass guiding us forward.

It is also a vital corner stone strengthening Israel – Cyprus relations. The participation of the President of Cyprus, H.E. Nicos Anastassiades, in the World Holocaust Forum in Jerusalem one year ago, was very significant in this regard. World leaders have a central role, guaranteeing that history will always be remembered and the horrors will never again be repeated.

We must further develop our common combat against all forms of Antisemitism and hatred, also with other like-minded countries. Remembrance of the Holocaust is fundamental in this endeavor. Israel and Cyprus are close partners in this part of the Eastern Mediterranean and working together is necessary to ensure our shared human values.