Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
Irelands chief rabbi Yoni Wieder on Monday strongly condemned the removal of Jews from the ceremony held there on Sunday, to mark International Holocaust Memorial Day. Wieder who was present at the event said the Jewish people forced out of the ceremony had protested the anti-Israel comments made by Irish President Michael Higgins who was invited to be the main speaker.
Wieder said the ceremony should have been a time to remember those who had suffered during the unspeakable atrocities committed by the Nazis. It was frustrating, he said that Higgins chose to politicize his comments and condemning Israel's response to the Hamas atrocities on Oct. 7.
The Rabbi said he was not surprised when some in the audience chose to express their discontent during the president's speech, quietly and without causing any disruption. Seeing them being dragged out of the room by force, was a shameful.
Jews dragged out of Holocaust memorial event
Weider pointed out that while Jews were being dragged out of a memorial for the victims of the Holocaust, Hamas and Hezbollah supporters were free to march on Ireland's streets calling for Tel Aviv to be bombed.
In his speech, Higgins emphasized the importance of education to prevent future atrocities like the Holocaust and addressed the war in Gaza. During his remarks, Jewish participants turned their backs to the president in protest and were violently removed by security personnel.
Irish president condemns Israel during Holocaust memorial event
(RTE News)
“The grief caused to families by the horrific acts of October 7, and the response to them, is unimaginable. The loss of civilian lives, the displacement of people, the destruction of homes and institutions—all are beyond comprehension," Higgins said. "The current agreement must end the killing and urgently provide a massive increase in humanitarian aid to save more lives. It is essential that all remaining hostages are freed and that every stage of the agreement is fully implemented.”