Obama Joins In Celebration Of The Holocaust Memorial Day; Warns Jews Of Rising Anti-Semitism
As the world marked the International Holocaust Remembrance Day, US President Barack Obama reinforces the importance of tolerance and peaceful coexistence of diverse religious faiths amid a growing environment filled with anti-Semitism.
Echoing the now famous words of US Master Sergeant Roddie Edmonds' "We are all Jews", Obama reminds his audience of the collective responsibility of humanity to reduce, if not erase, the societal tensions across the globe brought about by a surging tide of anti-Semitic views and behaviors.
"When any Jew anywhere is targeted just for being Jewish, we all have to respond ...We are all Jews...We won't entirely erase the scourge of anti-Semitism. But like the righteous we must do everything we can. All of us have a responsibility," spoke Obama as he delivered his speech at a Righteous Among the Nations Award Ceremony as quoted by the International Business Times.
The ceremony marked the first time an incumbent American President delivered an important speech of solidarity with the world's Jews inside the Israeli embassy despite Obama's falling out with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over America's warming relations with Iran over the nuclear deal.
Nevertheless, the President reaffirms America's continuing commitment to defend Israel's security in an increasingly polarized region in war-torn Middle East.
"America's commitment to Israel's security remains now and forever unshakable, and, I've said this before, it would be a fundamental moral failure if America broke that bond," said Obama as mentioned in a report by The New York Times.
The International Holocaust Remembrance Day was designated by the United Nations as a fitting tribute for the Jews who died during the Nazi's brutal policy of liquidating European Jewry.
Also, the Righteous Among Nations award is intended to recognize non-Jews' heroic acts to save Jews during the holocaust according to a Haaretz news article.
