Vladimir Putin received the Chief Rabbi of Russia Berl Lazar and the President of the Federation of Jewish Communities Alexander Boroda in the Kremlin.
Photo: REUTERS
On January 27 of each year, the world celebrates International Holocaust Remembrance Day. On the eve of this gloomy date, Vladimir Putin received the Chief Rabbi of Russia Berl Lazar and the President of the Federation of Jewish Communities Alexander Boroda in the Kremlin.
The Russian leader sat with his guests at the same dimensionless oval table where he received European politicians. But if Macron himself stood far away, on the opposite side, then the rabbis stood much closer.
– Of all the Jews exterminated by the Nazis, most were only citizens of the Soviet Union, and this is our common sorrow, – Vladimir Putin began the conversation.
The Russian leader stated bluntly that Russia would not forget the Holocaust: there is no statute of limitations for such crimes.
– You know our position today. It lies in the fact that we are categorically against consigning crimes of this type to oblivion, which do not have a prescription. We are doing this and following that policy so that nothing like this happens again in the history of mankind,” Putin said.
The President recalled that our investigators and prosecutors continue to investigate Nazi crimes during the war. And not only against Jews, but in general against people of all nationalities.
“Unfortunately, under various pretexts, many countries evade solidarity work in this important area,” the Russian leader concluded.
Berl Lazar noted in response that 6 million Jews died during the Holocaust:
– For us, these sufferings are terrible even today. Every year, when we remember these events, we say all the time: “Never again”, said the Chief Rabbi of Russia. – Thank you very much for everything you have done and are doing. Especially today in Russia, the Jews feel really comfortable.
Regarding the special operation, Lazar said that the Jewish community is ready to do “everything to find some peaceful solutions.”
“We all understand that we are all children of one God, and our desire is that all children live in brotherhood, in mutual understanding, in friendship, so that people truly respect each other,” he said.
