Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during the 5th World Holocaust Forum at the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem, on Jan. 23, 2020. Dozens of world leaders gathered on Thursday in Jerusalem to commemorate 75 years for the liberation of the Auschwitz camp and called on to combat the resurgence of modern-day anti-Semitism. (Yonatan Sindel/JINI via Xinhua)
JERUSALEM, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Dozens of world leaders gathered on Thursday in Jerusalem to commemorate 75 years for the liberation of the Auschwitz camp and called on to combat the resurgence of modern-day anti-Semitism.
More than 40 royalties, presidents, and prime ministers took part in the 5th World Holocaust Forum, held this year in Jerusalem.
The gathering culminated in a ceremony at the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem, where the leaders made speeches pledging to remember the Holocaust and to take measures against the rising of anti-Semitism.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier expressed his "deepest sorrow" for the killing of 6 million Jews by the Nazis.
He conveyed remorse on behalf of his country. "This also must be said here: The perpetrators were human beings. They were Germans. Those who murdered, those who planned and helped in the murdering, the many who silently toed the line: They were Germans," he said.
"Today we join together to say no to anti-Semitism! No to hatred!" he said.
Also addressing the gathering, Britain's Prince Charles warned: "hatred and intolerance still lurk in the human heart."
He added that lessons of the Holocaust are still "searingly relevant" and told the forum that "we must be fearless in confronting falsehoods and resolute in resisting words and acts of violence."
Russian President Vladimir Putin urged a summit in 2020 of leaders of the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council to "defend peace" in the wake of global instability.
French President Emmanuel Macron lamented that "after all that has passed, anti-Semitism and the scourge of anti-Semitism has returned, and with it, xenophobia and intolerance have also raised their ugly heads."
"We will not allow ourselves to stand by in silence" in face of modern-day anti-Semitism, he vowed. "We promise to remember and to take steps. Remember, never forget."
