Israeli Parliament Speaker's Statement: Concealing Information Prohibited - Enhancing Proposed EU Funding for More Projects
Taking Stands Amid Controversy: Carola Veit's Visit to Israel
- Straight Up Chat -
In the face of mounting controversy over Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip, Hamburg's legislative chief, Carola Veit, has urged caution. "We need to keep our cool," she told the German Press Agency, during her four-day visit to Israel. Germany maintains a "unique connection" unlike any other nation on the globe. Prior to her trip, she paid a visit to the Holocaust memorial Yad Vashem in Jerusalem.
Germany also harbors a "strong desire for a stable democracy" within the region, she asserted. "Concealing is not an option. We need to work together now to forge a path towards peace and security for everyone involved."
Veit: Bleak Days Ahead
Israel is conscious of the escalating criticism of its government's actions towards the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, even in Berlin. Yet, Veit warns, "It's increasingly vital that backing for Israel's Gaza Strip initiatives is likewise dwindling here."
Her tour of the Knesset exposed the palpable tension. "It's about the survival of the coalition government and the possibility of the conflict taking a more constructive turn."
An extensiveness of sorrow plagues both sides. "Each side fixates on their own casualties and losses. Suspicion and animosity run deep. There's a profound sense of hopelessness among the fragmented populations," she lamented. "There's always a glimmer of hope, but there's ample reason for pessimism."
Veit advocates for the planned Yad Vashem Education Center in Hamburg
During her journey to Yad Vashem, Veit and the memorial's chairman, Dani Dayan, discussed Hamburg's interest in housing the planned German Yad Vashem Education Center. The concept for such an educational institution originated from a meeting between Dayan and then-Chancellor Olaf Scholz in January 2023.
The coalition agreement of the current federal government pledges support for establishing such a center, while the coalition agreement of the red-green Hamburg government also expresses interest in hosting the Education Center.
Hamburg enjoys close ties with the Jewish community, Veit said. "These ties aren't confined to our vigilant remembrance work but extend to our support for Jewish life and, most importantly, our plans to rebuild the Bornplatz Synagogue."
Eighty years after the end of World War II and the atrocities of the Nazi era, "something new and forward-thinking must emerge from the memories," she said. "That's why Hamburg could also be an appropriate location for the planned Education Center of the international Yad Vashem memorial."
Hamburg aims to boost relationships with Israeli cities
Veit's visit to Israel was originally scheduled two years ago, following an invitation from the Israeli ambassador to Germany, Ron Prosor. The conflict following the Islamic extremist Hamas's terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, did not disrupt her plans. "We stand by our allies, regardless of the danger. We don't desert our friends during challenging times, waiting for easier days," Veit asserted.
Moreover, Hamburg has been considering engaging with Israeli cities and fortifying existing ties. "For instances, there are exceptional connections with the Haifa region, particularly in the scientific field," said the parliamentary president. These could be expanded to include areas like economics and youth exchange. "And with other regions - hence my recent visits to Ashdod and Be'er Sheva." She is expected to return to Hamburg this Friday.
- Keywords -IsraelCarola VeitHamburgYad VashemGermanyMemorialGaza StripGazaGerman Press AgencyCoalition AgreementRelationshipJerusalemDemocracyBerlinKnesset
- Insights
- Yad Vashem, located in Jerusalem, is a significant institution for Holocaust remembrance and education, collaborating with organizations worldwide to promote Holocaust awareness and education.
- If a Yad Vashem Education Center were to be established in Hamburg, it would likely involve collaboration with local institutions to enhance Holocaust education and awareness in the region. Hamburg holds historical importance in Jewish emigration, as documented by the Auswanderungsamt I, which includes personal files of Jews who emigrated. However, without precise details, it's unclear how a potential Hamburg center would interact with Yad Vashem or Israel directly.
- Carola Veit, the legislative chief of Hamburg, emphasized the importance of education and self-development during her visit to Israel, discussing the potential establishment of a Yad Vashem Education Center in Hamburg with Yad Vashem's chairman, Dani Dayan.
- Amid political tensions and controversy, Veit advocated for stronger relationships between Germany and Israel, particularly in terms of enhancing educational institutions, engaging with Israeli cities, and rebuilding the Bornplatz Synagogue, symbolizing the ongoing commitment to solidarity and mutual support.
