A commemoration of the anniversary of Kristallnacht was held in Uruguay.
Many Jews fled Germany for Uruguay after the violence on Nov. 9-10, 1938.
On Tuesday, about 600 people gathered for the ceremony in Montevideo attended by all of Uruguay’s living former presidents, current President Tabare Vazquez Rosas, Vice President Rodolfo Nin Novoa, Congress, the diplomatic corps and representatives from all political parties.
Daniel Mariaschin, the executive vice president of B’nai B’rith International, delivered the keynote address. Mariaschin reminded those in attendance that one doesn’t have to be European or even Jewish to be affected by these events of seven decades ago.
“Uruguayans, Catholics and Jews and all others, declare this for the sake of the future generations of Uruguay and the world, as much as for the Jews about whom the memorial at the death camp Bergen-Belsen appeals, ‘Earth, conceal not the blood shed on thee!’ ” he said.
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