Public Lecture by Abraham H. Foxman, National Director of Anti-Defamation League
Abraham H. Foxman, National Director of Anti-Defamation League (ADL) delivered a public lecture at the university on the Tolerance As an Advocate for Prosperity. At the official event in Maxima Aula attended the Rector of UNWE Prof. D.Sc. (Econ.) Statty Stattev, H.E. Shaul Camisa-Raz, Ambassador of the State of Israel to Bulgaria, Bruce Berton, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of the USA in Sofia, lecturers and students.
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| In Maxima Aula |
The Rector Prof. D.Sc. (Econ.) Statty Stattev presented Abraham Foxman who has devoted his life to the cause of tolerance, human rights and dignity. Prof. Stattev outlined that since 1987 the National Director of ADL is world-renowned as a leader in the fight against anti-Semitism, bigotry and discrimination. He is the co-author of Viral Hate: Containing Its Spread on the Internet (Palgrave Macmillan, 2013) and author of Jews & Money: The Story of a Stereotype (Palgrave Macmillan, 2010), The Deadliest Lies: The Israel Lobby and the Myth of Jewish Control (Palgrave Macmillan, 2007) and Never Again? The Threat of the New Anti-Semitism (HarperSanFrancisco, 2003). He has had consultations in Europe, Russia, Israel, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, China, Japan, South Africa and Argentina, and with Palestinian leaders on problems of ethnic hatred, violence, terrorism and promoting democracy. He has had six audiences with Pope John Paul II, four with Pope Benedict XVI, and recently met with the newly installed Pope Francis. Mr. Foxman is a passionate supporter of the State of Israel and a voice for peace in the Middle East, outlined the Rector. He has been a member of the President’s United States Holocaust Memorial Council appointed by Presidents Reagan, Bush and Clinton. He is also a holder of a lot of awards and honorary titles.
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| Prof. Stattev is presenting the lecturer. |
Bulgaria is very special for the Jewish people because the rescue of the Bulgarian Jews is the greatest event in our history, pointed out in the beginning of his lecture Mr. Foxman who reminded also about his meeting with the Bulgarian president in Washington on the occasion of the 100th anniversary from the establishment of ADL. “Imagine a world without hate. Imagine that in Europe there were more countries like Bulgaria saying “no” to anti-Semitism! Then may be much more Jews would have been saved. Let`s appreciate how unique is the Bulgarian nation! In “the middle of the hell” it had stood like “a shining star in the darkness” and so there is no history studied by Jews without mentioning the rescue of our nation by Bulgarians”, pointed out in his emotional speech Mr. Foxman.
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| Abraham Foxman (on the left) during the public lecture |
The lecturer specified the objectives of ADL as an organization for prevention of hate, for education in the truth for Holocaust, as a strong voice and defender of tolerance. “Our League is proud that Bulgaria follows this noble path of respect and authority, outlined the lecturer. He made also an epistle: ‘Don`t adopt the democracy and tolerance as granted, ask always the question whether it is fair and equitable and thus you will build up a strong civil society. Applying the principles of democracy in all government levels the Bulgarian economy will also reach high levels and the tolerance and understanding will lead to economic, political and social success”.
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| A question to the lecturer |
Abraham Foxman expressed his thankfulness to the university Managing Body for the opportunity to share his points of view. “I am here to remind also to young people one page of history which must not be forgotten and must shine as a guiding light in the development of Bulgaria, outlined Mr. Foxman.
Prof. D.Sc. (Econ.) Statty Stattev awarded to Abraham Foxman a Certificate of Appreciation as a sign of thankfulness for his lecture. The Rector awarded to the guest also a statuette representing the monument of Prof. Stephan Bobchev – founder and first Rector of UNWE (in the picture below).
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It is an honour for me to be at this remarkable university and to express my admiration to it, pointed out H.E. Shaul Camisa-Raz, Ambassador of the State of Israel to Bulgaria. He outlined his contentment about the invitation of Abraham Foxman as lecturer and emphasized that there hadn`t been any other country like Bulgaria in the world, a country that has given such a brilliant example through the rescue of Jews.
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| Greeting speech by H.E. Shaul Camisa-Raz |
In the Golden Book of UNWE Abraham Foxman wrote: “We, the Jewish people will never forget the extraordinary, heroic and courageous efforts and response of the Bulgarian people – from the peasant, to the Parliament, to the politicians – to stand against the Nazi plan to destroy the Jewish people. The Bulgarian people said “no” – and 50 000 Jewish citizens of Bulgaria survived! Thank you! Thank you!”
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| In front of the monument of Prof. Bobchev |
