In a letter of endorsement addressed to March of Life last week, Israeli President Isaac Herzog expressed his pleasure in anticipation of the March of the Nations, which will take place in May: “I look forward to the upcoming March of the Nations, which coincides with the international date of Israel’s 75th anniversary. Your presence demonstrates unwavering moral support for our nation-state and its people, and the State of Israel welcomes you with open arms.”
In the letter, Herzog also stressed the importance of working through family histories, which was what gave the voice of March of Life particular significance: “I commend your courage in engaging with dark and difficult family histories, and your insistence on directing the call of your collective conscience to advocating on behalf of Israel and Jewish communities everywhere.”
Earlier this year, March of Life President and Founder Jobst Bittner, together with his wife Charlotte and International Director Heinz Reuss, had the opportunity to personally present the work of March of Life to President Isaac Herzog during a visit to his residence in Jerusalem. The March of the Nations will take place on May 14-17 with a conference and marches in Jerusalem and seven cities in Israel. For more information on how to participate, visit www.marchofthenations.com.
The full text of the letter:
Dear friends,
Against a backdrop of growing Holocaust denial and spiking global anti-Semitism, The March of Life is an inspirational display of unity and remembrance, a vocal antidote to the complicit silence of good people, which made the Holocaust possible.
I commend your courage in engaging with dark and difficult family histories, and your insistence on directing the call of your collective conscience to advocating on behalf of Israel and Jewish communities everywhere. I look forward to the upcoming March of the Nations, which coincides with the international date of Israel’s 75th anniversary. Your presence demonstrates unwavering moral support for our nation-state and its people, and the State of Israel welcomes you with open arms.
Friends, the only way for good to triumph over the many evils perpetrated by humankind is through the intentioned actions of people of good conscience. You are true symbols of the possibility available to human beings to bravely confront their pasts and bring about healing and transformation. You are evidence that even out of unimaginable darkness can emerge the great light of compassion and friendship between nations and between men. Through your intentioned actions, you are helping histories of unspeakable crimes between man and man reincarnate into a present of compassion, justice, and truth, channeling the pain of implication in a dark and damning history to lend your voices a to the resonating imperative: “Never Again.”
I roundly applaud you.
Yours Sincerely
Isaac Herzog
President of the State of Israel
