Israel’s foreign minister: Arms embargos will lead to a second Holocaust
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar made the claim in two speeches in Jerusalem
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar has claimed arms embargos against his country will lead to a “second Holocaust.”
Speaking at his Foreign Minister’s event in Jerusalem, Sa’ar referenced attempts by countries to punish Israel over its war against Hamas in Gaza, while noting calls by Hamas and Iran for Israel’s destruction.
“If the calls and actions by countries and politicians to impose an arms embargo on Israel succeed — God forbid — the outcome would be the destruction of Israel and a second Holocaust,” said the minister.
Sa’ar added: “Which states have drawn the necessary conclusions from these remarks and this reality?
“What is the meaning of actions or remarks, by politicians or countries, of imposing a weapons embargo on Israel.
“If these moves succeed — Israel will simply be destroyed.
“There will be another Holocaust, in the Land of Israel.
“This is in fact a way to deprive the Jewish nation of the means to defend itself. Means we so lacked during the long years of exile and the period of the Holocaust.”
Sa’ar delivered two speeches at the conference, on Tuesday night, and on Wednesday at an event held at Yad Vashem in Jerusalem.
“Israel is the most attacked and threatened country in the world,” he added.
“The attempt to deny Israel its right to defend itself is horrific.”
He said that the attempt by international courts and institutions to “tie Israel’s hands” was essentially stripping Israel of its right to self-defence.
The conference was organised to coincide with Israel’s presidency of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA).
“We live in a time when the ancient ambition to destroy the Jewish people is once again gaining strength,” Sa’ar said.
“The new antisemitism is aimed at Israel – the State of the Jewish People – using slander, delegitimization, and double standards.”
“Today we have a strong Jewish state that fights our enemies.
“But antisemitism is rising around the world. It threatens us everywhere.
“We saw it in Washington last week. Yaron and Sarah, two staff members at our embassy – with bright futures – were murdered in an antisemitic terrorist attack.”
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
