President Klaus Iohannis has condemned on Wednesday the references to anti-Semitism and Nazism in the domestic political disputes, says the accusations brought by Ilan Laufer are irresponsible and show lack of education, culture, diplomacy and history.
“Bringing issues of anti-Semitism as accusations represent a dangerous action which could generate anti-Semitic and discriminatory manifestations and could incite to hatred,” President Iohannis says in a release issued on Wednesday by the Presidency.
“Ilan Laufer has failed the test of maturity by preferring to play the part of speaking-tube for the PSD toxic propaganda. The characters bringing about such outrageous accusations disqualify themselves automatically and cannot take over high positions with the Romanian state,” the President further says.
The Presidency release also reads: “The President of Romania considers that such statements represent a new example of the toxic rhetoric of the Social-Democratic Party, which constantly fuels the discourse of hatred and xenophobic tendencies. It is unacceptable that the memory of Holocaust is touched by such attacks, which serve petty interests that might affect social peace.
President Klaus Iohannis underlines that the recovery of Holocaust memory, as well as the fight against anti-Semitism, have represented for Romania priority objectives in the past two decades, whereas such extremist statements can put in peril the very good results obtained by our country during all these years. Romania is actively involved in the international steps to fight anti-Semitism, a recognized and appreciated fact.
For better knowledge of the Jewish community’s culture and for preserving the historical truth, the Romanian President has pleaded, ever since the beginning of his term, for the setting up of the National Museum of Jewish History and Holocaust.
In June 2017, President Klaus Iohannis was awarded the “Light Unto the Nations”, the most prestigious award from the American Jewish Committee. President Klaus Iohannis was thus recognized for the decisive role played in strengthening the democracy and the rule of law, as well as the sustained efforts in promoting tolerance, fighting anti-Semitism and xenophobia, for strengthening our relations with the US and Israel,” the release concludes.
Ilan Laufer, who belongs to the Jewish community, told a press conference at the PSD headquarters Tuesday evening that President Iohannis’ denial to name him as minister of Regional Development is an act of anti-Semitism, announcing he will file a complaint against Iohannis to the National Council for Combating Discrimination.
“This decision is not constitutional. I consider President Iohannis’ denial in my case as a new act of anti-Semitism. Mr. Iohannis had several outbursts against Jews and anti-Semitic statements, has refused to name an ambassador in the attempt to sabotage the Romanian-Israeli relation. He acted through intermediates by a criminal complaint against PM Viorica Dancila. I have sure information that I should expect the same way of action, more precisely a criminal file that is under way at the President’s order. Mr. Iohannis promised Angela Merkel that he will do its best to block the relocation of Romania’s embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem,” Ilan Laufer told the press conference.