PM at Holocaust Memorial Ceremony 2013
PM at Holocaust Memorial Ceremony 2013Flash 90

Holocaust Heroes and Martyrs Remembrance Day began Sunday evening, with an official ceremony at the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial. The ceremony included prayers for those murdered by the Nazis, and the lighting of six ceremonial torches, in memory of the six million killed during the Holocaust.

Speaking at the event, Prime Minister Biyamin Netanyahu said that Holocaust survivors were “the symbol of the revival of the Jewish people. They experienced the terrible events of the Holocaust, and deserve to live out the rest of their lives in peace and quiet,” said Netanyahu, adding that the government would do everything necessary to stem a rising tide of violence against the elderly.

“In each generation they rise up to destroy us,” Netanyahu said. “In each generation a person has to see himself as if he survived the Holocaust and established the state. In each generation we must promise that there will not be another Holocaust,” he said.

“The Jewish revival is tied to the struggle against those who sought to destroy us. Our willingness and ability to defend ourselves allowed the establishment of the Zionist enterprise, and guarantees our future existence. In the State of Israel live, for the first time, more Jews than were killed in the Holocaust. This is our victory, our comfort, and our pride,” Netanyahu said.

“Iran declares its intentions to destroy Israel and operates in many channels to accomplish this,” the Prime Minister continued. “We will never place our security in the hands of anyone else – not even in the hands of our best friends. The deepest meaning of the state of Israel is clear: We will never allow a situation to develop where it is 'too late.' We will never again stand helpless before those who seek to destroy us. At this time and place, I make you this promise: There will never again be another Holocaust,” he added.