ASIEL: TRUTH ABOUT JASENOVAC SHOULD BE KNOWN WORLDWIDE

BELGRADE, APRIL 17 /SRNA/ – The Chief Rabbi of the Jewish Community in Serbia Isak Asiel has said today that the truth about Jasenovac concerns not only the peoples living in this region, but should be known worldwide.

Asiel emphasized that the commemorative-educational gathering "The Truth about Jasenovac in the NDH /1941–1945/: Historical Perspectives, Memory and Documentation," being held today in Belgrade, is an attempt to present the truth, which has remained cocooned within a small region, to the world.

An important issue, Asiel says, is that our collective memory has many gaps, which is dangerous.

"Take the entire territory of the former Yugoslavia, where all these new states were formed, as a ship. Let's say someone drills a hole in that ship. When you ask why you are doing it, one says:`What do you care, it's under my seat.` But that hole will sink the entire ship," Asiel said.

He pointed out that it is necessary to speak about Jasenovac to avoid creating a dangerous gap in memory, which could sink the entire region.

"It is necessary to remember and do everything so that this does not remain only a regional issue, but becomes a topic that should reach Europe and the world. That is why there is a delegation from the United States here for the first time, which is a big deal," Asiel stressed.

He added that for the first time, from the headquarters of the Association of Jewish Communities of Serbia, where the Jasenovac conference is being held, the truth is being heard more widely.

He emphasized that truth is healing, that it is followed by repentance, and then by recovery.