ON THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE RESCUE

by Prime Minister of Denmark Lars Løkke Rasmussen, delivered on October 11, 2018. On the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Rescue of the Danish Jews At Copenhagen Synagogue

Your Royal Highness, (Crown Prince Frederik)

Your Excellency, Mr. President of the State of Israel, (Mr Reuven Rivlin)

Mr. President of the World Jewish Congress, (Mr Ronald Lauder)

Excellencies,

Dear Everyone,

That the old Torahs exist. That the Copenhagen Synagogue is still standing. And, most importantly, that you all are here tonight.

These are testimonies that the fate of Danish Jews is a light in the darkness of the Nazi genocide.

In Denmark, the vast majority of Jews were saved.

Denmark was the exception.

Therefore, this evening contains a duality. Gratitude for those who were saved. Sorrow for those who were killed – in Denmark and in the rest of Europe.

75 years – it is still so recent that some of you lived during that time, and were among the persecuted yourselves.

And even more have parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, who shared the same fate.

Your testimonies are important. We should all listen to these. I will do so myself. With great respect.

In the same way, I am humbled that men and women who were part of the rescue are present here with us this evening.

You took upon yourselves a responsibility to help your fellow human beings.

You wrote national history. You wrote world history.

For this, we are grateful to you all.

* * *

Mr. President.

The rescue of the Danish Jews is not only a part of Denmark’s history. It is a part of world history.

As a Dane it is heart-warming to visit Israel; to experience the gratitude for the rescue of the Danish Jews. I felt this very strongly when I was in Israel two years ago.

At the Yad Vashem Museum in Jerusalem, trees have been planted to honor those who helped Jews during Holocaust.

One tree for King Christian X – The Crown Prince’s great grandfather.
One tree for the Danish resistance movement.
And one tree for the Danish people.

This is the very core of October 43. The rescue was not a deed of a single person – but of a whole people.

The rescue of Danish Jews is a solid foundation under the Danish-Israeli relationship.

Denmark strongly supported the formation of the state of Israel.

I am happy and honored that you, Mr. President, and your wife, are here with us today commemorating the rescue in October 1943; both at the event in Gilleleje earlier today and tonight in the Synagogue.

Allow me to continue in Danish.

* * *

Today, it is difficult to imagine that Danish families were attempted killed and persecuted because of their origin. That children and elderly, women and men, were stripped of their rights and sent with ships and cattle trucks to concentration camps for the purpose of being killed.

It is unbearable.

But it happened.

Tonight we commemorate the Danish Jews who were brutally killed during the escape or in Theresienstadt.

But we are also grateful that more than 7000 Danish Jews were saved.

October 1943 is a story of forfeiture and rescue.

Genocide and humanity.

Darkness and light.

And it is a story of personal responsibility. About the obligation we all have as human beings – to do the right thing.

One of the most important events in Danish national history – probably the part of our history, which is most known around the world – is not about the deed of generals.

It is about ordinary Danes, who made choices that had a huge impact.

In the decisive days and weeks, ordinary people took upon themselves a responsibility and exhibited heroism.

Nurses and doctors hid refugees under cover of hospitalization. Neighbors took care of apartments. Families welcomed children of strangers for an indefinite period of time.

They followed their conscience.

Acted in the situation.

Said no in the face of superior force. Said yes to humanity.

And piece by piece they made a Denmark of solidarity and humanity.

Today we know that particular circumstances contributed to making the escape possible. Of course, it is not all idyllic.

Nothing is.

But that does not change the true essence of history:

The rescue of the Danish Jews was a joint and spontaneous act, which emanated from the Danish citizens’ decency, sense of justice and compassion.

The Danes saw the persecution of Jews as exactly what it was – as an attack on the neighbor, the colleague, the classmate, the fellow countryman – the fellow citizen.

* * *

Therefore, October 1943 is also a story about the successful integration of the Jewish minority over the last centuries. Dating back to when Jews acquired civil rights in 1814.

Our shared history is fundamentally one of happiness. Because it is shared.

And true community requires space for diversity.

I know that some of you are worried about this space becoming smaller in the future.

I would like to stress here tonight that it is a concern I understand. That I share.

And I will do my part to not let it become reality.

One must be able to live a normal Jewish life in Denmark. With the traditions that are entailed.

To me that is essential in a free society.

The country that saved the Danish Jews 75 years ago. That country is still here today.

The past is created from human actions. So is the present.

October 1943 does not stand alone.

The reaction after the attack on the Synagogue in 2015, and the killing of the guard Dan Uzan, confirmed the wholehearted support for the Jewish community.

Right outside on Krystalgade thousands of flowers covered the street.

A spontaneous and overwhelming sympathy from many, many Danes to our Jewish compatriots.

Mr. President of the State of Israel.

Mr. President of the World Jewish Congress.

October 43 is a story of light and darkness.

Of personal responsibility and moral duty.

And of the successful integration of the Jewish community in Denmark.

Danish Jews are and will always be an integral part of the Danish community.

An attack on Danish Jews is an attack on Denmark.

That is how it was. This is how it is.

The Jews of Denmark were and are compatriots.

The rescue of the Danish Jews is a central part of our shared history. Of our shared Denmark.

A country of cohesion and humanity.

Thank you.

Lars Løkke Rasmussen