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VOLUME 11-12: 1988-1992
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157. Statement by Prime Minister Shamir on Germany's Reunification, 3 October 1990.
Taking time out from dealing with the Persian Gulf crisis, and after the IDF announced, on 1 October, plans to distribute gas masks to the Israeli population, Mr. Shamir responded to the act of Germany 's reunification by expressing hope that the new Germany will learn the lessons of the past and that ties between Germany and Israel will continue to be good as they were with the Federal Republic. But he expressed his regret that the Holocaust was not mentioned in any unification document. Text:
For the German people and for Chancellor Kohl this is a day of major significance. For us this is naturally a day of reflection. While we do not interfere in the drawing of borders elsewhere, we have to remember the unprecedented tragedy inflicted by Nazi Germany on our people, maiming it for generations. We have maintained good relations with the Federal Republic of Germany for many years. We would like to continue such a relationship with United Germany. We were, therefore, disappointed that in the unity documents no proper public mention was made of the lessons of the Holocaust.
It is our hope that united Germany will do its utmost, by all possible means, political, educational and legal, to make sure that what happened in the past will not recur, and that anti-Semitic and neo-Nazi phenomena will be combatted. We also hope that history lessons will be reflected in the future attitude towards the Jewish people and in particular in the policy of support and assistance to the State of Israel. |
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