Government of Israel Calls On Jews Worldwide to Submit Pages of Testimony

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon (center) calls on Jews worldwide to submit Pages of Testimony

05 September 2004

Recently, the Israeli Cabinet held a special discussion marking 50 years since the establishment of Yad Vashem, with the participation of Chairman of the Yad Vashem Directorate Avner Shalev.

In advance of the uploading of Yad Vashem's Central Database of Shoah Victims' Names to the Internet in November, the Government of Israel called on Jews in Israel and around the world to redeem the names of Shoah victims by completing Pages of Testimony: "This joint national endeavor of the Jewish people - led by Yad Vashem - will provide victims with a lasting memorial in Jerusalem".

The Government also noted that Yad Vashem will soon complete its development plan, revolutionizing the institution's capacity to meet the challenges posed by the passage of time: "This will be highlighted in March 2005 with the opening of the new Holocaust History Museum, the people of Israel's expression of the Shoah for the 21st century".

Government ministers also expressed their appreciation for Yad Vashem's role in shaping Jewish and Israeli identity, in the struggle against antisemitism, and "in successfully carrying out the mission bestowed on it by the Jewish People".