Countries sign pact to fight anti-Semitism, Holocaust denial

July 21, 2010

JERUSALEM (JTA) -- More than 80 countries signed an agreement to cooperate in the fight against anti-Semitism and Holocaust denial.

The Task Force for International Cooperation on Holocaust Education, Remembrance, and Research and the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights signed the agreement at Israel's Foreign Affairs Ministry .

"This agreement is a step that doubles the power of 87 states' cooperation in the fight against the de-legitimization of Israel and anti-Semitism towards Jews around the world," said Deputy Foreign Minister Daniel Ayalon, who signed the agreement on behalf of Israel. "There are those who deny the Holocaust and are preparing for the next Holocaust. We must remember the Holocaust so that the horrors will not return, and we will make the world a safer place."

Israel was selected to lead the task force for the first time in 2010.

The task force, established a decade ago at the initiative of the Swedish government, aims to promote the remembrance of the Holocaust through education, research and memorial sites. It is comprised of 27 member countries, mostly European. Six international organizations belong as observers, including the United Nations and the European Union.

The Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, which has 57 members, deals with educational programs and monitors instances of xenophobia, mainly anti-Semitism and Islamophobia.

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Countries sign pact to fight anti-Semitism, Holocaust denial

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