MS. CAPLAN: Ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered here today at Yad Vashem, Israel’s official memorial to the victims of the Holocaust, to honor their memory and recognize the resilience of those who survived. It is a privilege to invite Yad Vashem Chairman Dani Dayan to deliver his opening remarks.
MR. DAYAN: Secretary Rubio, Minister Sa’ar, esteemed dignitaries, and honored guests: Within these sacred halls, we preserve the names and stories of millions who perished. Among them was Eliahu Gutkovski, an educator and public leader who was murdered in the Warsaw Ghetto alongside his family. Before his death, he wrote, “We, the Jewish people, are an ancient nation with a rich culture and a great spiritual tradition. A nation such as ours may be oppressed for a time, but it will never be erased.”
The rebirth of the Jewish people in their ancestral homeland is the embodiment of that truth. The establishment of the State of Israel was not a consequence of the Holocaust but a testament to the unyielding spirit of a people who, despite enduring the worst atrocities in human history, refused to disappear.
To truly understand Israel and its people, one must recognize that the Holocaust is not just history—it is a living memory, woven into our national consciousness. We are all, in a way, passengers on the doomed voyage of the St. Louis, survivors of Auschwitz, and witnesses to Nazi brutality. Even those born decades later carry this legacy.
Tragically, the ancient hatred that fueled the Holocaust has not been extinguished. Today, antisemitism resurfaces in new forms, not just from extremist regimes like Iran but also in Western institutions, including universities and international organizations. This is not only a Jewish problem but a moral test for all of humanity.
Welcome to Yad Vashem.
MS. CAPLAN: Thank you, Chairman Dayan. It is now my honor to introduce the Foreign Minister of Israel, His Excellency Mr. Gideon Sa’ar.
FOREIGN MINISTER SA’AR: Secretary Rubio, Chairman Dayan, distinguished guests, we stand here in solemn remembrance, knowing that the hatred which sought to annihilate our people has not disappeared. Just 80 years after the Holocaust, antisemitism is once again rising across the world, fueled by extremist ideologies and political agendas.
Secretary Rubio, during your Senate confirmation hearing, you spoke eloquently about the unique and persistent danger of antisemitism. History has shown us that this hatred is not only a Jewish issue but a warning sign of impending global instability. When the world turns a blind eye to antisemitism, other forms of tyranny follow.
The modern manifestation of this ancient hatred now targets the State of Israel. Through demonization, delegitimization, and double standards, Israel’s right to self-defense is called into question. International institutions, originally designed to promote peace and justice, are increasingly weaponized against us.
Let me be clear: We are the descendants of King David and Judah the Maccabee. We will fight for our survival, as we have always done. But we are grateful to count the United States as our steadfast ally in this struggle. Israel does not have a greater friend than America, just as America does not have a more reliable partner than Israel in its quest to uphold freedom and justice worldwide.
In memory of my grandfather’s sisters—Yocheved, Rivka, and Raizel—who were murdered simply because they were Jewish, we pledge today to stand strong against antisemitism in all its forms.
MS. CAPLAN: Thank you, Minister Sa’ar. It is now my privilege to introduce the Secretary of State of the United States of America, His Excellency Mr. Marco Rubio.
SECRETARY RUBIO: Standing here in Yad Vashem, we are reminded of two profound truths: the depths of human depravity and the resilience of the human spirit.
Less than a century ago, in one of Europe’s most advanced nations, an ideology of hate industrialized the mass murder of over six million Jews. This was not the distant past; it happened within the lifetimes of many who are still with us today. Some witnessed it as survivors, others as liberators, and still others as bystanders who remained silent.
This ancient poison, antisemitism, has once again surfaced in the modern world. It cloaks itself in political rhetoric, embeds itself in international organizations, and infiltrates university curriculums. It spreads online and finds voice in mainstream discourse. But history teaches us that hatred left unchecked does not simply fade away—it festers, metastasizes, and ultimately unleashes unspeakable horrors.
Yet, from the ashes of destruction, the Jewish people built a home in their ancestral land. Israel stands as a testament to their perseverance, a beacon of democracy in a region fraught with turmoil. From the moment of its founding, Israel has been under siege—first by invading armies, later by terror groups, and now by those who seek to undermine its legitimacy in international forums.
Let there be no mistake: Antisemitism, whether it targets Jews as individuals or Israel as a nation, must be confronted forcefully. The United States stands unequivocally with Israel, not only because of our shared strategic interests but because it is the morally right thing to do.
Evil does not disappear on its own. It must be exposed, opposed, and defeated. Today, we reaffirm our commitment to doing just that.
MS. CAPLAN: Thank you, Secretary Rubio. Today, as we sign the Survivor’s Declaration, we do so with the resolve that history will not repeat itself. The memory of those lost will guide us, and the survivors’ legacy will inspire us to build a future free from hatred. Thank you all for being part of this solemn and important moment.