Tallinn, 27 January 2012 – In his speech given today, on Holocaust Memorial Day at the Centre of the Estonian Jewish Community on the occasion of the opening of the memory gallery, Prime Minister Ansip extended his thanks to everyone who saved the traditions of the Estonian Jews in World War II.
“I understand and share the grief and pain caused to your community by the Holocaust. The gallery opened today will keep alive the memory of the 974 victims of monstrous crimes against humanity. That means 974 tragic fates, nearly a thousand of our countrymen and women, an entire community for small Estonia,” the Prime Minister said.
In his speech, the head of the government called on people to contemplate good and evil more deeply on this memorial day.
“As a small nation, Estonians have always understood the suffering of the Jews and held their friendship dear. We place great value on the contribution of our Jewish community in the story of the birth, rebirth, and success of the Republic of Estonia – starting from Jewish volunteers in the Estonian People’s Army in the War of Independence to cultural and economic figures who have brought fame and success to Estonia.
For its part, the independent Estonian state has always striven to make its best efforts to ensure that our Jewish community has all ethnic cultural rights. That principle was written down in 1918 in the birth act of the Republic of Estonia, our Independence Manifesto,” said Ansip.
The Prime Minister noted that, already by 1993 the first sitting of the Riigikogu had passed an act that expressly reopened the possibility of Jewish cultural local government in Estonia.
“I would like to express my recognition of the work done by the Jewish Community of Estonia,” said the head of government at today’s memorial event. " I am convinced that success and mutual understanding cannot be overthrown by evil intentions or inconsideration, or by any provocateurs, yellow media, or foreign political forces.”
The Prime Minister emphasised that the crimes of totalitarian regimes are indelible and can never be justified, and Estonia has unequivocally condemned them
Ansip: We place great value on the contribution of our Jewish community (3)
Eestlased Eestis | 28 Jan 2012 | EWR
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It would stand to reason that the day may come when our freedomfighters, irregardless of whether they wore the German uniform, are no longer "hunted down" by the likes of Zuhroff. In light of the facts, it is high time that the witch-hunts conducted by "big money" in this regard in Estonia now cease. Thank you for your attention.
There is an informative Jewish website where it is written highly of Estonia's goodwill towards Jews during Independance during the 1920s: "The cultural autonomy of minority peoples is an exceptional phenomenon in European cultural history. Jewish cultural autonomy was of great interest to global Jewish community. The Jewish National Endowment presented the Estonian government with a certificate of gratitude for this achievement." You can read more about this at http://www.jewishvirtuallibrar...
Estonia was and is one of the least anti-semitic countries in Europe. Back in 1930s when the Nazis were busy%@!#$&German Jews, this is what the British based newspaper The Jewish Chronicle wrote in September 1936 in an article titled "Estonia, an oasis of tolerance": “Estonia is the only country in Eastern Europe where neither the Government nor the people practice any discrimination against Jews and where Jews are left in peace…. …the cultural autonomy granted to Estonian Jews ten years ago still holds good, and Jews are allowed to lead a free and unmolested life and fashion it in accord with their national and cultural principles”. This all ended with the Soviet and Nazi occupation. When Estonia regained its independence Jewish life flourishes. History proves that when Estonia is independent and free, Jews and other minorities are free to live their lives in peace.
Eestlased Eestis
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