Romanian president vows to fight to stamp out anti-Semitism

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, who arrived in Israel on Sunday for a state visit, attended a ceremony at the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial on Tuesday and placed a wreath in the Hall of Remembrance.

Iohannis said his visit had convinced him that "education is the basic tool for preventing such disasters in the future."

Later Tuesday, Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein hosted Iohannis and his entourage at the Knesset. At the end of the ceremony, Iohannis signed the Knesset guest book and promised that Romania would "continue fighting to stamp out anti-Semitism and Holocaust denial and would to take action to put war criminals on trial."

Edelstein told Iohannis: "You are a true friend to Israel. Throughout history, the two countries have maintained good relations."

On Sunday, Iohannis and his wife, Carmen, were welcomed at the President's Residence by President Reuven Rivlin. Both Rivlin and Iohannis delivered statements before sitting down for a meeting to discuss strengthening bilateral ties between Israel and Romania.

Rivlin thanked Iohannis for his country's efforts to commemorate the Holocaust and fight anti-Semitism and thanked Romania for its role as president of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance.

"I am certain that you will continue to act, and remain dedicated, to facing the many challenges of the phenomena of anti-Semitism, racism, and hatred," Rivlin said.

Iohannis said Romania had a strong desire to open new areas of cooperation with Israel in research and information technology and that his nation understood that "the safeguarding of Israel's security is essential ... and not up for compromise. The fight against terror demands of us, of Romania, determination."

"We are part of the alliance against the Islamic State out of the understanding of the need to stand up against terrorism and achieve the common goal of global peace and prosperity," Iohannis said.

טעינו? נתקן! אם מצאתם טעות בכתבה, נשמח שתשתפו אותנו