NATO marked Worldwide Holocaust Remembrance Day with a solemn ceremony on the Alliance’s headquarters in Brussels on Friday (27 January 2023). Addressing the occasion, Deputy Secretary Normal Mircea Geoană known as this 12 months’s act of remembrance “notably poignant for all of us right here in Europe”, coming nearly a 12 months after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Calling Russia’s brutal warfare of aggression the largest safety menace for the reason that Second World Struggle, Mr. Geoană stated: “We’re seeing horrific scenes that we thought we had banished to the historical past books… They’re a chilling reminder of how fragile freedom is and the way we are able to by no means take peace and safety without any consideration.” Underscoring the significance of NATO unity in supporting Ukraine and strengthening Allied defences, he stated: “By standing up for our values right this moment, we honour all those that wrestle for freedom and democracy day-after-day.”

On Thursday, President Isaac Herzog grew to become the primary Israeli head of state to deal with Allies within the North Atlantic Council. Welcoming President Herzog to NATO Headquarters, Secretary Normal Jens Stoltenberg underscored the significance of Worldwide Holocaust Remembrance Day, saying “we are going to always remember” the victims of World Struggle II.

In the present day’s ceremony at NATO Headquarters was hosted by the Italian and Polish delegations. Following a poetry studying on the Holocaust, a visitation stone was unveiled as a symbolic act of remembrance for the bereaved – forming the phrases “we keep in mind”. The flags of all 30 NATO Allies are at half-mast right this moment.