Honoring Raoul Wallenberg, Obama alludes to Syria
In Stockholm, Obama says Swedish savior of Jews in Holocaust 'reminds us of our power when we choose to act.' Wallenberg's family asks for help in finding out his fate
At the Great Synagogue of Stockholm, Obama joined Jewish leaders and relatives of Raoul Wallenberg, who is credited with saving at least 20,000 Jews during the Holocaust. A Swedish diplomat serving in Budapest, Hungary, Wallenberg risked his life to issue protective passports and shelter Jews in Swedish diplomatic buildings.
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"Because he refused to stand by, Wallenberg reminds us of our power when we choose not simply to bear witness, but also to act," Obama said. His words invoked the deadly civil war in Syria and Obama's call for a global intervention to stop Syrian President Bashar Assad from using chemical weapons against his people.
Obama in Stockholm synagogue
In the synagogue's vast, ornate sanctuary, Obama stood under the "eternal flame" that hangs in most Jewish houses of worship above the arc that holds the Torah. The Great Synagogue's flame hasn't been extinguished since 1870, officials said.
Arrayed before Obama were artifacts from Wallenberg's life: his daily calendar, passport and family photos. In quiet tones, he reflected on the artifacts with Wallenberg's half-sister, Nina Lagergren, and Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt.
Obama and Reinfeldt then stepped into the synagogue's sunny courtyard, where an immense, teal-colored menorah stood in front of a memorial wall engraved with the names of more than 8,000 Holocaust victims. The president laid a stone, joining in a custom carried out by Jewish mourners all across the world.
"He's beloved in both our countries. He's one of the links that binds us together," Obama said, noting that Wallenberg had studied in the US.
The diplomat mysteriously disappeared after being arrested in the 1945 by Soviet forces. Wallenberg's family has been pressing Obama to seek answers about Wallenberg's fate when he visits Russia later in the week.
Jews around the world on Wednesday were marking the start of Rosh Hashana, the Jewish new year, a day of prayer and celebration that kicks off a 10-day period of meditative introspection in the Jewish faith.
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