[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 73 (Friday, May 21, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E939-E941]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE STATE OF ISRAEL, MR. MOSHE KATSAV, AT 
            THE PRESIDENT'S PALACE IN BERLIN, APRIL 28, 2004

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENJAMIN L. CARDIN

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 20, 2004

  Mr. CARDIN. Mr. Speaker, I recently attended the Conference on Anti-
Semitism of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe 
(OSCE) in Berlin from April 28-29, 2004. I was privileged to attend as 
part of the official U.S. delegation, in my capacity as the Ranking 
Member of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE), 
commonly known as the Helsinki Commission. I was pleased to give a 
speech at the Berlin Conference, after visiting the concentration camps 
in Auschwitz, on the importance of fighting intolerance and speaking 
out against acts of anti-Semitism. Secretary of State Colin Powell 
attended the Conference and spoke forcefully about the need to combat 
anti-Semitism. Mr. Lantos of California, the Ranking Member of the 
International Relations Committee, has already introduced Secretary 
Powell's statement into the Record. The 55 Participating States of the 
OSCE adopted a strong action plan, the Berlin Declaration, which lays 
out specific steps for states to take regarding Holocaust education, 
data collection and monitoring of hate crimes against Jews, and 
improved coordination between non-governmental organizations and 
European law enforcement agencies.
  During our Conference, on the evening of April 28, President Johannes 
Rau of Germany hosted a dinner for the President of the State of Israel 
Moshe Katsav. President Katsav spoke powerfully about the need to 
combat the rising tide of anti-Semitism throughout the world. Let me 
just highlight one section of President Katsav's remarks:

       The violence against the Jews in Europe is evidence that 
     anti-Semitism, which we have not known since the Second World 
     War, is on the rise. This trend of the new anti-Semitism is a 
     result of the aggressive propaganda, made possible by modern 
     technologies, globalization and abuse of democracy and which 
     creates an infrastructure for developing and increasing anti-
     Semitism, of a kind we have not known before * * * Many times 
     I have heard voices saying that anti-Semitism is not unique 
     and that it is no different from other kinds of racism. Anti-
     Semitism should indeed receive special attention. Hatred 
     against the Jews has existed for many generations and it is 
     rooted in many cultures and continents through the world. 
     However, now anti-Semitism has become an instrument for 
     achieving political aims * * * The genocide of the Jews was 
     the result of anti-Semitism and was not caused by a war 
     between countries or a territorial conflict and, therefore, 
     anti-Semitism is a special danger for world Jewry and the 
     whole of Europe.

  Let me draw my colleagues attention to a particularly important part 
of the Berlin Declaration, in which the OSCE participating States 
``declare[d] unambiguously that international development of political 
issues, including those in Israel or elsewhere in the Middle East, 
never justify anti-Semitism.'' Let me be clear that I am not seeking to 
suppress legitimate criticism of Israel, just as I would not seek to 
silence those who criticize the policies of the U.S. Government. 
However, when individuals criticize the very existence of the Jewish 
state, equate Zionism with racism, and compare the Israeli Government 
to the Nazi regime, then all of us must say together: this is anti-
Semitism, and you have crossed the line.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the full text of the 
Israeli President's remarks at the President's Palace in Berlin be 
placed in the Record, and I urge my colleagues to read President 
Katsav's thoughtful remarks.

 Address of the President of the State of Israel, Mr. Moshe Katsav, at 
                    the President's Palace in Berlin

       Mr. President, Ministers, Distinguished Guests, Heads of 
     Delegations:
       It is very difficult and sad for me to stand here today in 
     Berlin, 60 years after the Holocaust and to speak about anti-
     Semitism and the ways of fighting against it.
       We, world Jewry, believed that after the terrible events of 
     the Holocaust, it would not be necessary to struggle against 
     anti-Semitism.
       We believed that the world would not allow anti-Semitism to 
     raise its head.
       We believed that anti-Semitism belonged to the old world 
     and to distant history.
       We very much appreciate this gathering in Berlin. This step 
     to fight anti-Semitism sends a very important message that 
     this issue has a significant place in the European

[[Page E940]]

     agenda, in the relations between Israel and Europe and 
     between Europe and world Jewry. It is a sign that the 
     security of Jews touches directly basic human values.
       I am standing here as a representative of a nation which 
     suffered a great deal during many generations of exiles, 
     inquisition and the terrible Holocaust-Shoah.
       I represent a nation which desires to live in peace without 
     fear, without bloodshed, without incitement and without 
     violence.
       I am standing here as a citizen of a democratic and free 
     world which is committed to the values of freedom, equality, 
     to universal values which oppose anti-Semitism.
       Anti-Semitism is a big tragedy for the Jewish people. It is 
     a moral and historic failure for humanity. It is a failure of 
     world leaders. It is a failure of the free world.
       If humanity does not express determination and does not 
     learn the historical lesson, the Holocaust will not remain an 
     abstract issue for the next generation.
       Among international leaders, no one in 1933 believed that 
     the Holocaust would happen and, not even at the beginning of 
     the war in 1939. It is very difficult to believe but the 
     Holocaust happened in the heart of Europe, in one of the most 
     sophisticated countries in the world, which had the best 
     musicians, philosophers, scientists and researchers in the 
     world.
       Lately we are witnessing again the burning of synagogues 
     and Jewish schools, the desecration of Jewish cemeteries and 
     horrible writings.
       Jews are again afraid to walk in the streets with a Star of 
     David and a yarmulke. Jewish children are again a target of 
     violence and the streets of Europe are again not safe for 
     Jews, only because they are Jews.
       Jews, as individuals and as a collective, are a target of 
     physical and emotional violence.
       Hostile letters, graffiti and the use of the Internet and 
     the media are examples of instruments against the Jews.
       For a long time Europe denied the rise in anti-Semitism.
       The problem is not just the physical violence and damage 
     caused to Jewish institutions. We are concerned about the 
     hostility and incitement against the Jews and Israel in 
     Europe.
       There are some who blame the Jews for an international 
     conspiracy and even blame them for the terrorist acts of 
     September 11th. They accuse American Jews of cooperating with 
     Israel in blaming Islam for these terrorist attacks.
       We are witnessing a new trend by radical Muslims who are 
     recreating the classical blood libel and who are publishing 
     again the ``Protocols of the Elders of Zion'' which claim 
     that the Jews aim to control the world.
       For others, the new anti-Semitism is a way of criticizing 
     the Jews and Israel for their treatment of the Palestinian 
     people.
       In Europe the rise in classical antiSemitism, represents 
     the Jews and the Jewish state as brutal devils, the source of 
     wars and responsible for global disasters.
       It is difficult for us to believe, but recently the public 
     opinion polls which were initiated by the European Commission 
     show that a majority of Europeans believe Israel is a danger 
     for the stability and peace in the world.
       Not the non-democratic countries which are trying to 
     develop and achieve mass destruction weapons, not the 
     totalitarian countries which back terrorist organizations, 
     not the brutal bloodshed in the name of God, not poverty but 
     we, Israel, are a danger for world peace in the eyes of some 
     European people.
       The violence against the Jews in Europe is evidence that 
     anti-Semitism, which we have not known since the Second World 
     War, is on the rise. This trend of the new anti-Semitism is a 
     result of the aggressive propaganda, made possible by modern 
     technologies, globalization and abuse of democracy and which 
     creates an infrastructure for developing and increasing anti-
     Semitism, of a kind we have not known before.
       Millions and millions of people are exposed to television 
     programs and Internet sites full of blood libels.
       The silence, the closing of eyes and the slow reactions in 
     some countries permit this incitement to become deeper and 
     stronger.
       It is impossible to fight against antiSemitism, while 
     permitting the demonization of Israel and its leaders and 
     denying its legitimate right to exist.
       During the last decade we took historical steps towards the 
     Palestinian people. I would like to mention the Oslo 
     Agreement, the Camp David conference and the acceptance of 
     the Roadmap but during the last ten years we have had not 
     even one quiet day and we suffered from brutal and terrible 
     bloodshed.
       Sometimes we feel that Europeans are not ready to feel 
     solidarity with us or to recognize the suffering of the 
     Israeli people from the terrible terrorism, which has 
     continued for many years.
       The brutality of the terrorism in the Middle East is of a 
     type that humanity has never seen before.
       It is only by cooperation, with determination and with 
     leadership that we can overcome this hatred.
       We are astonished that there are still people who deny the 
     Holocaust.
       The Durban Conference in September 2001 shocked all of us. 
     It was meant to be a conference against racism but became a 
     meeting of racists against the Jews and the State of Israel.
       The anti-Semitism in Europe is a result of the cooperation 
     among elements who are against the West and western values, 
     who are against globalization and against progress, as well 
     as extremists from the left and right and from organizations 
     of radical Muslims.
       The world of Islam is very large. There are more than a 
     billion people who are not of one mind and opinion. There are 
     some Muslim countries which have diplomatic relations with 
     Israel, such as Turkey, Egypt, the Hashemite Kingdom, the 
     Muslim Republics in Central Asia, Persian Gulf countries and 
     others. Not all Muslims are anti-Semitic and there is no 
     conflict between Judaism and Islam. In Europe there are 20 
     million Muslims. Most of them are very good people who desire 
     to live calm and normal lives. However, they are afraid to 
     raise their voices against the extremists. I call on the 
     moderate Muslims in Europe and on their leaders to cooperate 
     with us in encouraging tolerance and understanding for a free 
     and better world.
       However, we must still remember that there are still Muslim 
     countries and organizations which are calling for the 
     destruction of the State of Israel.
       Anti-Semitism is encouraged and is given inspiration by 
     international terrorism.
       Anti-Semitism is a great danger to democracy and freedom in 
     the world.
       Where synagogues are burnt, the day will come when stones 
     will be thrown on parliament and democracy is in danger.
       Fighting against anti-Semitism with determination will 
     deliver a strong message to the international terrorist 
     organizations and will be a message that the free world has 
     determination to defend its values and is not prepared to 
     tolerate anti-Semitism, hostility and racism.
       Anti-Semitism has no justification, no legitimacy and 
     should not be shown any understanding. Anti-Semitism is a 
     great threat to freedom. It uses human morality, democracy 
     and liberalism for its destructive aims.
       Black people are not responsible for the racism against 
     them just as the Jews are not responsible for anti-Semitism.
       We had hoped that the creation of a Jewish State would help 
     prevent anti-Semitism. We desired to be a free nation in our 
     homeland, like all nations. The Jewish state is a national 
     home for every Jew and we want to be sure that never again 
     will Jews be unprotected.
       We are shocked by the accusations, which compare Israel to 
     Nazi Germany. There is a linkage between this incitement and 
     the violence against Jews in the streets of Europe.
       We do not want to prevent legitimate political criticism 
     against Israeli government policy, but we will not tolerate 
     incitement against world Jewry and the Jewish state.
       Many times I have heard voices saying that anti-Semitism is 
     not unique and that it is no different from other kinds of 
     racism. Anti-Semitism should indeed receive special 
     attention. Hatred against the Jews has existed for many 
     generations and it is rooted in many cultures and continents 
     throughout the world.
       However, now anti-Semitism has become an instrument for 
     achieving political aims. It is being used by Muslims as an 
     instrument to achieve political gains.
       The genocide of the Jews was the result of anti-Semitism 
     and was not caused by a war between countries or a 
     territorial conflict and, therefore, anti-Semitism is a 
     special danger for world Jewry and the whole of Europe.
       Can it be that the impact of the Holocaust is not strong 
     enough to stop and prevent anti-Semitism? Can it be that the 
     impact of the Holocaust has become weaker in the last 
     decades?
       We must focus all our efforts, energies and wisdom on 
     educational activities and research on the Holocaust. We must 
     transmit the lesson of the Holocaust to the young 
     generations.
       I call to continue researching and documenting all the 
     events relating to the Holocaust.
       We must teach the young generation human values.
       I call on the European leaders to increase the awareness of 
     anti-Semitic acts in their countries, to research the origin 
     and background in each country and to evaluate anti-Semitism 
     on a national level.
       I call for a mechanism for monitoring and controlling anti-
     Semitic events and for ways to fight them.
       I call for increased cooperation between the countries and 
     law enforcement authorities, in fighting anti-Semitism in 
     Europe.
       I call for legislation to prevent anti-Semitism, especially 
     in the Internet and via satellite programs.
       I call for a meeting of professionals from all over the 
     world to set up a program and take real steps against anti-
     Semitism.
       I greatly appreciate European governments and leaders who 
     are fighting against anti-Semitism and I very much appreciate 
     this important gathering in Berlin.
       Most European countries have close relations with the Arab 
     countries which are responsible for producing incitement and 
     anti-Semitic propaganda on television, in books and in 
     newspapers which are distributed in Europe and around the 
     world.
       We must put pressure on such countries to stop the 
     distribution of such terrible incitement against the Jews.
       It is not enough to talk against anti-Semitism. We must 
     act.
       I believe that European countries wish to do as much as 
     possible to stop anti-Semitism and give security to their 
     Jewish citizens.

[[Page E941]]

       European leaders have done a lot lately but not enough. It 
     is necessary to do more in the fields of education, public 
     opinion, legislation and law enforcement.
       At this time, we the Jews are not alone. I can see many 
     good friends here who are standing with us. I am aware of 
     many people, nations and leaders who are struggling against 
     anti-Semitism, as they understand that anti-Semitism is a 
     danger to the stability and peace in the world, to human 
     values.
       I am aware of European governments who are our partners in 
     our efforts and concern to provide security for every Jew and 
     they understand that Jews have the right to live without fear 
     anywhere.
       I appreciate the governments in Europe who have already 
     appointed special ministerial committees for fighting anti-
     Semitism. I appreciate countries whose parliaments dedicated 
     special sessions on the issue of anti-Semitism.
       I appreciate those countries who have decided to strongly 
     condemn anti-Semitism in international bodies.
       Indeed, now at the beginning of the 21st century, the 
     situation is very serious. There is an increase in violence 
     and an escalation of anti-Semitism against the Jews but there 
     is a big difference. We are not living in the thirties. We 
     have a Jewish, sovereign and independent state and this makes 
     a big difference.
       We know what happened in the Second World War and what 
     racism brought upon the world and, because of this I am very 
     pleased that there is more awareness. Now leaders are more 
     sensitive and they protect their citizens. There is 
     legislation and law enforcement in many countries. The 
     leaders speak out and there are many seminars and conferences 
     against anti-Semitism. The strong position of the United 
     States of America in this matter is remarkable. I also very 
     much appreciate the position of the Vatican on this difficult 
     and tragic issue.
       I am very sorry that the Irish proposal to the United 
     Nations General Assembly in December 2003, was not adopted, 
     because of the objection of some Muslim countries. It is very 
     sad that a special resolution which condemns anti-Semitism 
     and attacks against Jews cannot be passed now in the United 
     Nations.
       The European Union should continue its efforts in this 
     important initiative and in all multilateral organizations, 
     in fighting against anti-Semitism.
       We are very proud of our Jewish heritage and history. It is 
     a source of pride for world Jewry. I hope that the Jewish 
     people will also be a source of appreciation, understanding 
     and respect and not a target for hatred.
       I hope and pray for cooperation for development, prosperity 
     and tolerance instead of destruction, bloodshed and hatred.
       I would like to thank, you, President Rau and Foreign 
     Minister Joschka Fischer for this important initiative. I 
     believe that this meeting will be very constructive and that 
     it will help us achieve our mutual goals.
       I hope that the Berlin Conference will serve as a basis for 
     continued efforts against anti-Semitism.
       I wish to express my personal appreciation to President Rau 
     for his wise and moral leadership, for his great friendship 
     towards Israel and the Jewish people, and his personal 
     dedication to the fight against anti-Semitism.
       We have the strength and the will to create a better world, 
     a just world for all humanity. Let us put all our efforts 
     together to make it possible. Let us work together.
       Thank you.

                          ____________________