Netanyahu: Not everyone has learned lesson from Shoah
Speaking at start of weekly cabinet meeting, prime minister says, 'While we remember the six million, the guest of honor at a conference held in Switzerland is a Holocaust denier who does not conceal his plan to wipe Israel off the face of the earth.' He congratulates countries who chose to boycott UN anti-racism event
Speaking at the start of the weekly cabinet meeting, the prime minister said, "While we remember the six million (Jews murdered in the Holocaust), a conference will be held in Switzerland allegedly against racism. Its guest of honor is a Holocaust denier who does not conceal his plan to wipe Israel off the face of the earth.
"I congratulate the countries which chose to boycott the conference. Contrary to those dark days, today we have a strong Jewish state."
Netanyahu said he has decided to allot NIS 20 million (about $4.76 million) to the basket of service for Holocaust survivors and an additional NIS 10 million ($2.4 million) to return the victims' property. He added that the decision was made along with Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz and Social Affairs Minister Issac Herzog.
"I'm glad we can offer this service so that the Holocaust survivors can end their lives in dignity, health and longevity. At the end of the day, the State of Israel is the key for guaranteeing the Jewish people's existence and safety."
Ahmadinejad greeted warmly in Geneva (Photo: AP)
Defense Minister Ehud Barak also commented on the UN conference, saying that "it's an upside-down world, when the president of Iran can be a guest of honor at an anti-racism conference. This is what we are here for; we have to straighten this world out."
Industry, Trade and Labor Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer said in response to Ahamdinejad's participation in the conference," My blood boils at the sight of this. I am shocked as a Jew and as a citizen of the world."
Minister for Regional Development Silvan Shalom said, "This is a conference of incitement, a conference of destruction instead of a conference fighting racism. This is a stage for a harsh anti-Israel attack.
"The fact that the United States and other countries are not attending it, drops this conference's importance level to zero, particularly when we see that it is being led by people like Ahmadinejad, who are the greatest preachers of incitement, racism and hatred," he added.
