Herzog: The Iranian Government is a Hub of Anti-Semitism and Terrorism

Isaac Herzog, the President of Israel, stated on Monday, January 28, during a speech commemorating International Holocaust Remembrance Day at the United Nations General Assembly, that the Islamic Republic of Iran is a hub of anti-Semitism, hate-mongering, and terrorism. According to Herzog, the Iranian government is openly working to eliminate Israel and has been pursuing the production of nuclear weapons for years. He emphasized that the world should not turn a blind eye to the threats posed by the Islamic Republic and its proxy groups. The Israeli President added that the world must stand shoulder to shoulder with Israel in the fight against anti-Semitism and terrorism. He stated that Israel will continue its struggle for the self-determination of Jews in their ancient homeland. In another part of his speech, coinciding with the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz death camp, he referenced his yellow pin or 'hostage pin' to highlight the fate of some hostages taken by Hamas during the October 7 terrorist attack. He continued to express the joy of the Israeli people in response to the release and return of seven Israeli women during the current ceasefire agreement, while reminding that 90 other hostages remain in Hamas captivity. The Israeli President called on the international community to assist in the release and return of all hostages to Israel. Herzog also referred to the very tragic fate of some Jewish victims in the Auschwitz death camp, calling it the largest death factory in human history. According to the Israeli President, the Holocaust was the most catastrophic event in the history of Jews and the entire world, but the resonating voice from this human tragedy led to the formation of the United Nations and the unity of the international community. Herzog further criticized some international organizations, including the International Criminal Court, and their positions regarding Israel and its leaders. This speech was broadcast live with simultaneous translation by Voice of America. Before the Israeli President's speech, Antonio Guterres, the UN Secretary-General, reiterated the organization's commitment to the release of all hostages taken during the October 7 terrorist attack and the establishment of a ceasefire. Guterres stated that despite eight decades since the Holocaust, many still engage in anti-Semitism and deny the genocide of Jews. The UN Secretary-General emphasized the need to combat anti-Semitism and other forms of racism. During the October 7, 2023 terrorist attack, Hamas killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and approximately 250 others, including children, women, and the elderly, were taken hostage to Gaza. This terrorist attack is the largest massacre of Jews in a single day since the Holocaust and prompted Israel to launch a military offensive against Gaza to destroy Hamas and retrieve the kidnapped hostages. During the Holocaust, nearly 11 million people, including six million Jews, were exterminated by Nazi Germany. Iranian officials have, over the years, denied the reality of the genocide of Jews during World War II and have held various meetings and exhibitions on this subject. For over four and a half decades, the Islamic Republic has repeatedly called for the destruction of the state of Israel and has established a network of proxy groups in the region. Following the October 7 terrorist attack, Israel has conducted heavy attacks against Hezbollah and Hamas as the two main proxy groups of the Islamic Republic in the region, destroying numerous commanders and thousands of members of these two terrorist groups, as well as their infrastructure in southern Lebanon and Gaza. Israel also targeted the positions of the Iranian government in direct responses to attacks on Israel on April 14 and October 2 of this year, inflicting significant damage on the missile and nuclear capabilities of the Islamic Republic.