The European branch of the World Jewish Congress called on its affiliates everywhere to press their respective governments for effective legislation that would outlaw any attempt to whitewash Nazi crimes or deny the horrors of the Holocaust.
Israel Singer, Secretary General of the WJC, addressed 200 delegates attending an observance of the 40th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany. They represent the Jewish communities of 22 countries in Western and Eastern Europe, except the Soviet Union and Albania.
Singer referred to the May 5 visit by President Reagan and West German Chancellor Helmut Kohl to the Bitburg military cemetery as an example of “premeditated amnesia” that must not be allowed to recurr.
The gathering was attended by the President of the European Parliament, Pierre Fimlin; Marcelino Oreja, Secretary General of the Council of Europe; the Absorption Minister of Israel, Jacob Tsur; and Deputy Foreign Minister Ronnie Milo.
The gathering included a visit to the site of the Strutthoff concentration camp where wreaths were laid and kaddish was recited.
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