Jerusalem - Berlusconi In Emotional Tour At Yad Vashem Writes in Guest Book 'This Cannot Be' |
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Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi visiting the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial museum in Jerusalem, on February 1, 2010.photo by Abir Sultan /Flash 90Jerusalem - It was like being punched in the stomach,” Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said after visiting the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem Monday evening along with a number of his ministers.
Berlusconi’s entourage was accompanied by Education Minister Gideon Saar and Yad Vashem chairman Avner Shalev. At the end of the tour Berlusconi laid a wreath in the Hall of Remembrance and signed the Yad Vashem Guest book. “Our soul screams out – ‘This cannot be’. Then it jolts and bellows - Never again!’,” he wrote.
Shalev said the Italian premier was clearly moved by the visit. “He faced things that he could not even grasp and said he would remember the experience for a long time to come,” said the museum chairman.
What particularly caught the Italian leader’s attention was a photo album from Auschwitz and statistics on the number of European Jews killed during the war.
Earlier Monday, Berlusconi said his “greatest desire” was to see Israel join the European Union.
The Italian leader met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and later described the meeting as “extremely important” to Jerusalem’s relations with Rome
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Read Comments (20) — Post Yours »
1
Feb 01, 2010 at 02:40 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
ROME, need I say more.
2
Feb 01, 2010 at 02:41 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
So typical of traveling to Israel. Why do we have to be fixated about the Holocaust and shuttling everyone that steps into Israel to Vyad Vashem? Jewish people have more to offer than Holocaust museums in their rich history. I don't want my history to be defined by the Holocaust. Europeans don't know a lot about the Jews because all they affiliate being Jewish with is the Holocaust. Why do we send every politician to Vyad Vashem as if to remind them that ONLY the Holocaust legitimizes our stay in Israel. We don't have to make anyone feel guilty or seek empathy for them to respect our right to exist in Israel.
3
Feb 01, 2010 at 02:46 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
Like a breeze of fresh air . May G-d bless you !
4
Feb 01, 2010 at 02:48 PM Robert Says:Report as Inappropriate
with all due respect, i hope israel never joins the european union !
5
Feb 01, 2010 at 03:27 PM Buchwalter Says:Report as Inappropriate
I lived in Italy from 1945 to 1950. In 1945 across the Brenner pass came trucks and trucks of survivors, men, women and children dressed in British uniforms and smuggled to Italy by the Bricha. On the Brenner pass an Italian Jewish Carabinieri Officer let all the trucks with their human cargo enter Italy. These shaarith hapleita later illegally went to "Palestine"
6
Feb 01, 2010 at 03:28 PM Meira Lettieri Kingberg Says:Report as Inappropriate
In my memory, I think PM Berlusconi is the first public figure to react so openly and to unashamedly state his horror. It will affect how he guides Italy, already the most pro-Jewish/Israel country in the EU in her position regarding Israel and the ME.
7
Feb 01, 2010 at 03:36 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
Israel should NEVER join the EU, then they would have to abide by all their ludicrous laws and no Jew would ever be safe in Israel again. The EU rightfully reasoned that the only way they can break the monopoly on power in the Middle East that Israel enjoys (due to her Dimona capabilities) is to bring her into their minions and wrest control and wreak havoc over her courts and self-interests and superb intelligence network.
8
Feb 01, 2010 at 03:49 PM yossie Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ So typical of traveling to Israel. Why do we have to be fixated about the Holocaust and shuttling everyone that steps into Israel to Vyad Vashem? Jewish people have more to offer than Holocaust museums in their rich history. I don't want my history to be defined by the Holocaust. Europeans don't know a lot about the Jews because all they affiliate being Jewish with is the Holocaust. Why do we send every politician to Vyad Vashem as if to remind them that ONLY the Holocaust legitimizes our stay in Israel. We don't have to make anyone feel guilty or seek empathy for them to respect our right to exist in Israel. ”
either you are stupid or plaid dumb!!
the point of taking them there is not to justify the existence of israel but to educate the world that israel is not paranoid for no reason but look what happens when you let anti semitism run freely
9
Feb 01, 2010 at 03:54 PM 5T Resident Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ So typical of traveling to Israel. Why do we have to be fixated about the Holocaust and shuttling everyone that steps into Israel to Vyad Vashem? Jewish people have more to offer than Holocaust museums in their rich history. I don't want my history to be defined by the Holocaust. Europeans don't know a lot about the Jews because all they affiliate being Jewish with is the Holocaust. Why do we send every politician to Vyad Vashem as if to remind them that ONLY the Holocaust legitimizes our stay in Israel. We don't have to make anyone feel guilty or seek empathy for them to respect our right to exist in Israel. ”
Its clear to anyone who knows the Bible that the Holocaust is NOT the only reason we are legitimately in Eretz Yisroel. Jews were in Eretz Yisroel centuries before Christianity and Islam were even dreamed of.
Yad Vashem provides perfect instruction as to why Israel must be aggressive in defending herself. Hitler knew that if he tried to liquidate the Jews, no one would come to save them, and that is in fact what happened. After the Holocaust, it became clear to everyone that Jews needed the chance to protect themselves. And that is exactly what the State of Israel does today, Boruch Hashem Yoim Yoim. Too many people, even world leaders, only know about the Holocaust from textbooks and a few grainy videos. Its important for these leaders to know the scope of the churban, the hate that people are capable of. Personally, I think the Mossad should kidnap Ahmadinjad and keep him at Yad Vashem for a month. He'd change his tune.
10
Feb 01, 2010 at 05:25 PM David Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ ROME, need I say more. ”
Only if you want to be understood by anyone other than yourself.
11
Feb 01, 2010 at 05:56 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ So typical of traveling to Israel. Why do we have to be fixated about the Holocaust and shuttling everyone that steps into Israel to Vyad Vashem? Jewish people have more to offer than Holocaust museums in their rich history. I don't want my history to be defined by the Holocaust. Europeans don't know a lot about the Jews because all they affiliate being Jewish with is the Holocaust. Why do we send every politician to Vyad Vashem as if to remind them that ONLY the Holocaust legitimizes our stay in Israel. We don't have to make anyone feel guilty or seek empathy for them to respect our right to exist in Israel. ”
WHY??????????? Are you serious????????? I'll tell you why? Because I am lucky to be alive. I am one of the lucky ones and so are you. Because My Parents survived the holocaust and because I don't want that kind of hatred and anti-semitism to ever happen again!!! That's why. Therefore everyone and anyone who goes to E"Y or anywhere else where there is a holocaust museum should go see it and understand it and never forget it, so they can knock down the naysayers and non-believers and they can wipe out bigotry and anti-semitism forever.
12
Feb 01, 2010 at 06:04 PM yad vashem Says:Report as Inappropriate
i was in yad vashem today they kicked everyone out early i was wondering why now i understand
13
Feb 01, 2010 at 07:06 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ So typical of traveling to Israel. Why do we have to be fixated about the Holocaust and shuttling everyone that steps into Israel to Vyad Vashem? Jewish people have more to offer than Holocaust museums in their rich history. I don't want my history to be defined by the Holocaust. Europeans don't know a lot about the Jews because all they affiliate being Jewish with is the Holocaust. Why do we send every politician to Vyad Vashem as if to remind them that ONLY the Holocaust legitimizes our stay in Israel. We don't have to make anyone feel guilty or seek empathy for them to respect our right to exist in Israel. ”
you poor sick twisted lost soul. are you even jewish???
14
Feb 01, 2010 at 08:22 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ either you are stupid or plaid dumb!!
the point of taking them there is not to justify the existence of israel but to educate the world that israel is not paranoid for no reason but look what happens when you let anti semitism run freely ”
No, the reason for taking them to Yad Vashem is because the Medina feeds on anti-semitism, like vultures live off the dead. Had there been no anti-semitism, the medinah would've had no reason to be.
15
Feb 01, 2010 at 09:48 PM DizzyIzzy Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ No, the reason for taking them to Yad Vashem is because the Medina feeds on anti-semitism, like vultures live off the dead. Had there been no anti-semitism, the medinah would've had no reason to be. ”
You happen to be right, but for all the wrong reasons.
16
Feb 01, 2010 at 11:25 PM Dante Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ So typical of traveling to Israel. Why do we have to be fixated about the Holocaust and shuttling everyone that steps into Israel to Vyad Vashem? Jewish people have more to offer than Holocaust museums in their rich history. I don't want my history to be defined by the Holocaust. Europeans don't know a lot about the Jews because all they affiliate being Jewish with is the Holocaust. Why do we send every politician to Vyad Vashem as if to remind them that ONLY the Holocaust legitimizes our stay in Israel. We don't have to make anyone feel guilty or seek empathy for them to respect our right to exist in Israel. ”
"Fixated about the Holocaust..." Dare we forget? To my dismay, the unvirtuous and the mean-spirited among us, would like nothing better than a situation where
uneducated opposition to the historicity of this tragedy gained currency. Heaven forfend! In the name of civilization, we must not let this happen. History cannot be
denied. The Italian Prime Minister, fortunately, understands the need to remember what happened to make sure such tragedies will never ever occur again.
The emergence of the State of Israel serves the cause of Justice. Aside
from the obvious nationalistic, cultural and religious criteria, the State of Israel
serves as haven for persecuted Jews. Like everyone else, Jews are entitled to a
safe and dignified national existence under God.
17
Feb 02, 2010 at 05:29 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ So typical of traveling to Israel. Why do we have to be fixated about the Holocaust and shuttling everyone that steps into Israel to Vyad Vashem? Jewish people have more to offer than Holocaust museums in their rich history. I don't want my history to be defined by the Holocaust. Europeans don't know a lot about the Jews because all they affiliate being Jewish with is the Holocaust. Why do we send every politician to Vyad Vashem as if to remind them that ONLY the Holocaust legitimizes our stay in Israel. We don't have to make anyone feel guilty or seek empathy for them to respect our right to exist in Israel. ”
Our history is defined by the holocaust whether you like it or not. Unfortunately there are every year less and less survivors to tell the tale so I suggest you quickly go and find one and hear his/her story. Oy! will you change your mind.
18
Feb 02, 2010 at 06:55 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ So typical of traveling to Israel. Why do we have to be fixated about the Holocaust and shuttling everyone that steps into Israel to Vyad Vashem? Jewish people have more to offer than Holocaust museums in their rich history. I don't want my history to be defined by the Holocaust. Europeans don't know a lot about the Jews because all they affiliate being Jewish with is the Holocaust. Why do we send every politician to Vyad Vashem as if to remind them that ONLY the Holocaust legitimizes our stay in Israel. We don't have to make anyone feel guilty or seek empathy for them to respect our right to exist in Israel. ”
Because this time, finally, it seems to have made an impact. Even if you are Jewish but have never been there nor heard personal family stories you cannot imagine the impact of the place. I couldn't take it. I was gone with the first exhibit.
It's not about a guilt trip or bid for empathy. It's the hope that by seeing this as something that happened to real human beings, the viewer who is so moved, may try to prevent it in the future.
19
Feb 02, 2010 at 09:50 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ you poor sick twisted lost soul. are you even jewish??? ”
He expressed a legitimate opinion. Where do you get off calling HIM sick and twisted and questioning his Jewishness? It's the goyim that tried to shut us up forever, don't learn from their example!
20
Feb 03, 2010 at 12:06 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
I hope you will publish my previous comment because, as Italian, I was warning you about the showman Berlusconi, who tries to please any foreign leader he meets, no matters if he has to be contradictory. I told you to follow his speech to Palestinians, because he would have tried to please them too. Well, I was right. Today he said to Abu Mazen that he suffers for the attack to Gaza as much as for the Shoah. Interesting...