Letters

World leaders attend Terezin conference

BY ANNIE ABRAHAMS

The Israeli Embassy held a memorial ceremony to commemorate 50 years since the murder of Dr Ami Shachori at Jewish Free School in London.

The Palestinian Black September terrorist group carried out the terror attack.

Shachori served as Agricultural Counsellor to the UK and Scandinavia for four years. He was killed days before his posting was due to end in 1972 by a parcel bomb sent to the Embassy.

At the ceremony, family members from Shachori's family spoke movingly about the diplomat's life and legacy.

Ambassador Tzipi Hotovely and JFS Headmaster Dr David Moody addressed the ceremony.

Participants opened a garden dedicated to Shachori's memory which will be used as quiet reflection and remembrance space within the school's grounds.

Hotovely said that Shachori was a devoted member of Israel's diplomatic service, an expert in agricultural academia, soil management and crop production.

She added: “Dr. Shachori was taken from us devastatingly young. His memory continues to serve as a constant reminder that whilst diplomats are at the forefront of serving our country we are also on the front line facing the risks that come with it.”

Ambassador Hotovely at a commemoration for Dr Shachori at JFS Shachori enjoyed a prestigious career in service to Israel including as an Army officer and Director of the Ministry of Agriculture. “His legacy as a dedicated public servant of Israel, is one that continues to stand strong, inspiring us all, some fifty years on,” said Hotovely. Dr. Shachori's family, Jewish Free School and Israeli Foreign Ministry realised the project. “The garden will serve as a permanent tribute to the everlasting memory,” said Israel’s current emissary. Shachori’s son, Ron, said: “In every stage of his career, he was always the same Ami, active, inspiring, industrious, utterly identified with his task, never veering from the aims that he set himself. This was Ami, of pleasant ways, of gentle soul, held in affection by all who came into contact with him, earning the trust and esteem of each and every one who entered his orbit.”

BY LEAH WAXLER

President Isaac Herzog has awarded the Israeli Presidential Medal of Honour to Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades.

The accolade was awarded to Anastasiades for his role in the establishment and development of the trilateral relationship between Israel, Cyprus and Greece.

Herzog said that his recent visit to the Presidential Palace in Nicosia solidified the Cyprus-Israel relationship as a “pillar of Mediterranean stability”.

Israel’s president received The Grand Collar of the Order of Makarios the Third whilst in Cyprus.

Noting an ever-growing alliance between the nations, he observed: “While the nations of the Mediterranean have more often been divided by conflict than united by cooperation, Israel and Cyprus have actually built a true friendship.”

Herzog observed a spirit of cooperation that included the EastMed Gas Forum, EuroAsia Interconnector, which will supply solar energy from Israel to Cyprus and on to Europe and four-way dialogue launched in Paphos with Emirati partners.

He added: “The three-way Hellenic alliance has become a pillar of Mediterranean stability in the present, and a key to a sustainable, healthy, and prosperous future. There is no doubt that this unprecedented reality of cooperation, mutual understanding and deep respect, are a direct result of your decade-long presidency”.

Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades with President Isaac Herzog

The Medal of Honor is the highest civil honour the State of Israel awards foreign dignitaries.

“The award symbolises our nation’s deep gratitude for your partnership and principles,” Herzog said.

The honour is an initiative of Shimon Peres and was first awarded in 2012. It has been awarded to 26 individuals by an advisory committee headed by retired Supreme Court President, Justice Meir Shamgar.

Since entering office, Herzog has awarded the Medal of Honour to Czech President Milos Zeman and US President Joe Biden.

Terezin confefrence panel discussion

BY ANNIE ABRAHAMS

World leaders, Holocaust survivors and dozens of NGOs attended the International Terezin Declaration Conference at Czernin Palace in Prague last week.

The forum attracted 47 countries and was hosted by the Czech Foreign Ministry.

It followed the 2009 Terezin Declaration to discuss various topics including Holocaust remembrance, restitution to victims, education and combatting antisemitism.

Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky, Israel Minister of Social Equality Meirav Cohen, European Commission vice president Vera Jourova and US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken addressed the conference.

Blinken stressed the importance of governments delivering appropriate reparations to Shoah victims.

He said: “The international community failed these people in their early lives, they must not fail them in their final years.”

Blinken noted the international community had “everlasting responsibilities” to Holocaust survivors’ descendants.

Survivors also addressed conference delegates. A panel discussion on the threat of online hate speech and how to tackle it also took place.

Lord Pickles, UK Special Envoy for post-Holocaust issues, chaired a panel discussion on ‘Tackling Injustices from the Time of the Holocaust’.

The audience heard via video from Association of Jewish Refugees member Leopold Wiener, who fled Czechoslovakia and has campaigned throughout his life for Holocaust reparations and refugee issues.

Lord Pickles invited Leopold’s grandson, Josh Ross from Hendon, to proclaim the importance of adequate restitution for people that lost everything at the hands of the Nazis.

Josh explained the impact of the Holocaust as a third generation descendent.

Lord Pickles said: “It is not about money, it is about victims, there is a moral obligation to ensure that Holocaust survivors and their families receive justice.”

During conference, diplomats gave national statements, contributions and voluntary pledges to continue to support restitution, education and protection for those affected by the Holocaust.

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THE BBC – WHAT IT STANDS FOR, TO ME

Dear Editor I was hardly surprised to read the contents of the article, “Ofcom critices BBC over coverage of antisemitic incident,” in last week’s edition (THE JEWISH WEEKLY, 10 November).

To most of us, the BBC stands for providing, “Britain’s Biased Coverage,” of anything to do with the antisemitism. We have learnt over many decades, relating to countless issues, that we can search in vain for anything near to an objective and, well-researched journalistic approach to news on the topics of: The Jewish Community, Israel and the Middle East.

Why should people in the Jewish Community Have to continue paying the BBC Licence Fee If they’re so hostile to Israel and World Jewry As antisemitism seems to be Integral to their modus operandi Even now in this 21st Century?

We should only be required to do so, once the BBC is required to, and does in practice, Broadcast Balanced Content. Over to you, Ofcom and on that note, I wish you all a Shabbat Shalom.