Never again, in Israel and Rwanda

Wednesday's press conference at the presidential palace in Kigali, held by Rwandan President Paul Kagame and visiting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, made it clear why Rwanda is so important to Israel and vice versa. It has been a long time since we have heard from two leaders with such similar world views; perhaps it has to do with the traumatic events that mark the past of each nation. Our Holocaust and their genocide. Two atrocities that left giant scars on both peoples -- for all eternity. These are leaders of two nations with the exact same motto: Never again. This sentence, widely known in the context of the Holocaust, is also used in Rwanda.

Both leaders posses great historical awareness and remember well that the world slept while they were in trouble. Just as with the Jewish people, the Tutsi people were massacred by the Hutus, and the world did not lift a finger to help. France and Belgium were asleep at the switch. In Kigali and all over Rwanda, this is something that will not be forgotten for many years to come.

Kagame has succeeded in making his country prosper today, 22 years after the genocide. He has been president for 16 years. When the West preaches to him about democracy and criticizes him, he responds by saying, "I criticize the critics."

Netanyahu listened and nodded as Kagame spoke. Today, after failing to take action when the Jews were massacred during the Holocaust, the world also preaches to Israel. Today, the world has decided that the Palestinians are the victims of victims. Netanyahu clarified that Israel has to deal with both Holocaust denial and with incitement. This was, perhaps, the most important point.

Twenty-two years ago, there was incitement against the Tutsis on the radio. On Wednesday, Netanyahu spoke of the Palestinian incitement against Israel. He also talked about Iran's Holocaust denial cartoon contest.

Rwanda is Israel's true friend in Africa. Rwanda and Israel are two small countries that have succeeded -- thanks mainly to themselves -- in moving forward, but without forgetting the past. Kagame, one of the most impressive leaders in Africa, and Netanyahu have a very similar perspective. These two leaders also understand that as long as you rely on yourself, there's always someone to rely on. But even more than that, they also rely on one another.

In Kigali on Wednesday, you could feel just how far away you were from the phenomenon of BDS.

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