The United States has expressed its support for Israel's commencement of a year-long presidency of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA). The IHRA is dedicated to promoting accurate commemoration, education, and research regarding the Holocaust. This announcement also included congratulations to the United Kingdom for its recently concluded successful presidency.
The United States, as one of the founding members of the IHRA, remains committed to maintaining the organization's role in combating Holocaust distortion and denial. The aim is to foster understanding and remembrance of the Holocaust to support the principle of "Never Again." The current rise in antisemitism and the decreasing number of Holocaust survivors make Israel's leadership crucial at this time.
Marco Rubio, Secretary of State, reflected on his recent visit to Yad Vashem, emphasizing that despite being within living memory, Holocaust remembrance faces significant challenges nearly 80 years after World War II. He highlighted that Holocaust distortion is a growing form of antisemitism that manifests in violent acts against Jews, vandalism of memorials, and inflammatory rhetoric in academic and international circles.
"The Crossroads of Generations" is the theme for Israel’s IHRA presidency. Rubio noted that President Trump and his administration are clear about their stance: confronting antisemitism with determination. The U.S. commitment includes utilizing the legally non-binding IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism as a tool to identify and counter such discrimination.
Rubio stated that during Israel's tenure leading IHRA, "the United States will partner with Israel...to defend the memory and historical fact of the Holocaust" while addressing all forms of antisemitism globally.