The gravest crime committed against humankind – Holocaust – claimed millions of innocent lives and we all, throughout the world carry the responsibility to eternally commemorate these victims, the Speaker of the Parliament said at the International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

In his speech at the ceremony hosted by the National Library, Shalva Papuashvili emphasized the threat of anti-Semitism and the importance of tolerance: “This tragic date in world history reminds us of the merciless crimes committed during the Holocaust and makes us realize the threat of anti-Semitism and importance of tolerance. It is crucial to remember this day as it brings the lessons of the past and helps us resist intolerance and protect the world today and tomorrow from similar evil and ferocity and it is the awareness of the Holocaust that shall be maintained in all generations to forever prevent this gravest fact of history”.

According to the Speaker, the Georgian and Jewish nations count 26 centuries of friendship and peaceful co-existence. Georgia is the only country where Semitism could not be rooted and our Jewish compatriots were able to maintain their traditions, culture and religious identity.

As the Speaker added, each of them was an integral part of the Georgian state and society that significantly contributed to the development of our country.