“It is imperative that we remember the lessons of the Holocaust and pass them on to future generations to ensure global unity in combating hatred, intolerance, violence, and ferocity. The most effective way to honor the victims of the Holocaust is to strive for a world where such atrocities never occur again”, - Giorgi Kakhiani, the Vice-Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia stated at the ceremony dedicated to the International Holocaust Victims Remembrance Day.

As he rightly pointed out, the Holocaust stands as one of the most somber and distressing chapters in the pages of human history, resulting in the systematic murder of six million Jews and countless other innocent lives.

“Today, we commemorate the heights of human ferocity that can be attained and the indomitable spirit that can endure even the darkest of tragedies. The narratives of the survivors provide an extraordinary testament to the extraordinary strength, courage, and resilience of the human spirit. Today, we commemorate the victims of the Holocaust and express our unwavering support to the survivors and their families. We extend our aspiration to transform the world into a realm devoid of discrimination and violence”, - said Giorgi Kakhiani.

According to him, the Georgian people have always valued the historically rooted friendships with the Jewish nation: “Our relationship spans centuries and is underpinned by the mutual respect, comprehension, and cooperation between our nations. Israel has become a home for thousands of Jews who departed from Georgia and who highly contribute to the relations between our countries. We are proud to acknowledge that Georgia has consistently demonstrated its unwavering commitment to the brotherhood with Jews throughout history. We also acknowledge the invaluable contribution of the Jewish community to the cultural, social, and economic fabric of Georgian society. I am confident that the enduring historic friendship between our nations will be further strengthened”.

The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Israel to Georgia, Hadas Meitzad also addressed the attendees speaking of the Holocaust and the innumerable losses of the Jewish people. The Ambassador emphasized the alarming proliferation of anti-Semitism globally and underscored the paramount importance of education in combating this phenomenon, particularly for future generations. She highlighted that the preservation of these values in Georgia, where tolerance is a cherished heritage, has become even more imperative.

The ceremony included the exhibition of Holocaust photos and the exposition of the paintings of the participants dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the victory over Nazist Germany. The joint ceremony held by the Parliament of Georgia and the Embassy of Israel in the National Library was attended by the Members of Parliament and the Cabinet of Ministers, the Public Defender, the diplomatic corps and the representatives of the Jewish community.