Romania to host a Holocaust Museum

PM Sorin Grindeanu announced during official visit to Israel on Thursday that Romania might have a Holocaust Museum. He made the statement after visiting the Yad Vashem Memorial from Jerusalem.

A building in the Capital’s historical center has already been assigned to the future museum, the premier informed. The memorial dedicated to the History of Jews in Romania will be coordinated by the the Elie Wiesel National Institute for Holocaust Studies in Romania.

“Our commitment should be to remember the victims who passed away, to respect the survivors and to educate the new generations in the spirit of respect for the human values, for diversity and inclusion,” the Romanian PM after touring the Yad Vashem World Holocaust Remembrance Centre.

PM Grindeanu also stated that our concern for the Holocaust memory must reflect the way we respect those who have suffered and who are still among us, in Romania or abroad.

According to the prime minister, the Government and the Bucharest City Hall have already found out a building to host a museum of Jewish history and Holocaust remembrance in Romania, downtown Bucharest.

Romania has held the one-year chairmanship of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA).

“Romania has directly and significantly contributed to the adoption of the anti-Semitism definition inside the alliance as a token of its big political commitment to the fight against anti-Semitism,” said Sorin Grindeanu.

The Romanian premier was welcomed by Israeli President Reuven Rivlin at the Beit Hanassi presidential residence and is to have talks with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu.

Grindeanu: Israel, Romania’s “closest ally and friend” in this region

During the joint press conference with his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, PM Grindeanu stated that Israel is “Romania’s closest friend and ally” in this region and that our country will stay committed to endorse the fight against terrorism.

“The latest terror attacks in Europe are alarming and, unfortunately, there were also Romanians who lost their lives in these infamous acts. Romania remains firm in endorsing the fight against terrorism. We condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and we underline the fact that there are no justifications for such acts,” said the Romanian prime minister.

Grindeanu pointed out that Romania and Israel are celebrating this year 69 years of continuous diplomatic relations. “This continuity proves the strength of our friendship (…) Israel is Romania’s closest ally and friend in this region,” the Romanian PM added.

In his turn, the Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the Romanian premier’s visit is “a continuity of a big friendship”, also adding that the Israeli Government appreciates the steadfast positions sent by PM Grindeanu against anti-Semitism and against the profanation of Jewish cemeteries.