"History has taught us that anti-Semitism starts with the Jews, but doesn't end with them." So said Natan Sharansky, Israel's Minister for Jerusalem and Diaspora Affairs, in announcing that the government has designated Tuesday, January 27, as a "National Day to Combat Anti-Semitism." On this day, chosen to coincide with the annual European commemoration of the Holocaust, Israeli schools, the IDF, public institutions and the media will conduct special programming focused on the dangers of resurging anti-Semitism around the world.
The date January 27 - the date Auschwitz was liberated - is the official Holocaust Memorial Day in many European countries, including the UK, Denmark, Italy, Sweden and Germany. The cabinet's ministerial committee for ceremonies has accepted Sharansky's proposal to declare the day an official national day of solidarity with Jewish communities enduring increasing anti-Semitism, and of education and action to fight anti-Semitism throughout the world.
"We must combat anti-Semitism today; tomorrow may be too late," Sharansky announced. "History has taught us that anti-Semitism starts with the Jews, but doesn't end with them. Thus the fight against anti-Semitism is everyone's obligation - as Israelis, as Jews, and as citizens of the world.... We must raise awareness in Israel, strengthen the solidarity between Israel and world Jewry, and increase Israeli citizens' sense of responsibility regarding events in the Diaspora."
At the weekly Cabinet meeting this Sunday, Minister Sharansky will present a review of global anti-Semitic incidents and trends during 2003. The next morning, the IDF General Staff forum will hold a discussion on Islamic Anti-Semitism as a strategic threat to Israel. Later in the day, a seminar for educators will be held on "The Role of the State of Israel in the Fight Against Anti-Semitism," with the participation of Education Minister Limor Livnat, Sharansky, and others. Also on Monday, Sharansky and Yad Vashem Chairman Avner Shalev will host the ambassadors of European countries in a unique session on "Education and Anti-Semitism," featuring the presentation of new educational kits and an on-line curriculum prepared by Yad Vashem's School for Holocaust Studies for use in schools worldwide. European schools will be called upon to include these lesson plans - which can be seen here- in their school systems.
Tuesday will feature more events, involving the cadets of the IDF officers' course in Har Gilo, a full-day seminar for Israel's youth movements, an Army Radio program, a special Knesset session, a World Maccabi movement conference on the global struggle against anti-Semitism, and more. A number of international Jewish youth movements, including Bnei Akiva, Habonim, Young Judea and others, are holding identical ceremonies in at least ten countries around the world.
The date January 27 - the date Auschwitz was liberated - is the official Holocaust Memorial Day in many European countries, including the UK, Denmark, Italy, Sweden and Germany. The cabinet's ministerial committee for ceremonies has accepted Sharansky's proposal to declare the day an official national day of solidarity with Jewish communities enduring increasing anti-Semitism, and of education and action to fight anti-Semitism throughout the world.
"We must combat anti-Semitism today; tomorrow may be too late," Sharansky announced. "History has taught us that anti-Semitism starts with the Jews, but doesn't end with them. Thus the fight against anti-Semitism is everyone's obligation - as Israelis, as Jews, and as citizens of the world.... We must raise awareness in Israel, strengthen the solidarity between Israel and world Jewry, and increase Israeli citizens' sense of responsibility regarding events in the Diaspora."
At the weekly Cabinet meeting this Sunday, Minister Sharansky will present a review of global anti-Semitic incidents and trends during 2003. The next morning, the IDF General Staff forum will hold a discussion on Islamic Anti-Semitism as a strategic threat to Israel. Later in the day, a seminar for educators will be held on "The Role of the State of Israel in the Fight Against Anti-Semitism," with the participation of Education Minister Limor Livnat, Sharansky, and others. Also on Monday, Sharansky and Yad Vashem Chairman Avner Shalev will host the ambassadors of European countries in a unique session on "Education and Anti-Semitism," featuring the presentation of new educational kits and an on-line curriculum prepared by Yad Vashem's School for Holocaust Studies for use in schools worldwide. European schools will be called upon to include these lesson plans - which can be seen here- in their school systems.
Tuesday will feature more events, involving the cadets of the IDF officers' course in Har Gilo, a full-day seminar for Israel's youth movements, an Army Radio program, a special Knesset session, a World Maccabi movement conference on the global struggle against anti-Semitism, and more. A number of international Jewish youth movements, including Bnei Akiva, Habonim, Young Judea and others, are holding identical ceremonies in at least ten countries around the world.