This month marks the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp.
Currently, Canada boasts the fourth largest Jewish population in the world, with nearly 40,000 Holocaust survivors settling in the country after the Second World War. In honour of those people, the atrocities they suffered in Auschwitz-Birkenau, and the subsequent 75-years of freedom the Governor General of Canada, Julie Payette will be going to Jerusalem next week.
From Jan 22-24, Governor General @GGJuliePayette will be in Israel for the 'World Holocaust Forum', which marks the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. While there, she will also meet with @PresidentRuvi and attend a dinner for heads of State. Welcome to Israel! pic.twitter.com/dNAaHQV5w6
— Israel in Toronto (@IsraelinToronto) January 15, 2020
Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, announced her visit to Israel earlier today.
“For over 70 years, Canada and Israel have shared a special bond rooted in mutual respect, shared values, and strong people-to-people ties. The Governor General’s visit will help deepen our already close relationship, as she represents Canada and pays tribute to the strength and resilience of the Jewish people.” – The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
Governor General of Canada, Julie Payette.
Image from flickr
The two-day trip will be Payette’s first official visit to Jerusalem.
She’ll join other leaders from around the world in the Fifth World Holocaust Forum at the World Holocaust Remembrance Center. The Governor General will lay a wreath in honour of the Jewish people that were murdered during the Holocaust, while she’s there.
Canada and Israel are both members of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance. Which is an organization dedicated to advancing, and promoting Holocaust education, research, and remembrance.
In an effort to end antisemitism and Holocaust denial many survivors of the Auschwitz-Birkenau camp will attend the event and share their stories.
