Rivlin in Germany
President of Israel Reuven Rivlin has joined the Mayor of Berlin, Michael Muller in a symbolic walk through the city’s Brandenburg Gate.
At the Brandenburg gate Photo: Amos Ben Gershom/GPO
The two held a working meeting, at the conclusion of which, President Rivlin signed the ‘Golden Book of Berlin’. From there, President Rivlin went on together with President Gauck of Germany to meet with the youth congress at the Kalksheune building.
The youth congress is made up of 300 Israelis and Germans between the ages of 18-30, who have taken part in partnership projects in a range of fields in arts and culture. During the meeting, which focused on the realities of life in Israel society, Holocaust remembrance in Israel, among other socio-economic issues, the participants presented some of the projects to the two Presidents.
President Rivlin opened his address by stressing the importance of remembering the horrors of the Holocaust, and with the obligation never to forget, the need to be sure that the horrors of the past would not dictate the shape of the future. “The horrors of the past, as the threats of the present will not dictate our lives nor shape, the lives of our children. We forever strive for a better future. The strong, and deep friendship we celebrate this year, between Israel and Germany, was made possible by Germany taking responsibility for the crimes of the past. And so, we made a decision that our relationship would never be compensation for that dark history, but that its lessons would guide us to a better future. The future is not only what we dream of at night, but what we work for each day. Our good relations are built on the foundation of shared values and a deep faith, in human dignity, and freedom.”
With students Photo: Amos Ben Gershom/GPO
President Rivlin thanked the Israeli and German students participating in the congress, and said, “In the last decades, Israelis and Germans have been working together to make this world a better place – exemplified by the wonderful projects we saw here today in theater and arts. I want to thank you, our dear young friends, for not allowing us to ever forget, our obligation to make this world a more understanding, and compassionate one. For not allowing us, to even consider losing our hope for a better future. Today, Israel and Germany, stand firm in the face of the challenge of the rise of fundamentalism, extremism, and yes, racism and antisemitism. It is our deep friendship, that will allow us to overcome these challenges. It is my belief, that no free nation, no free people, can or should, stand alone.”
