Speaking on the anniversary of the uprising against German Nazi troops, Steinmeier thanked Polish President Andrzej Duda for his invitation.
Stating that it was necessary but difficult to come to this ceremony as the President of Germany, Steinmeier said, “The terrible crimes committed by the Germans here fill me with deep shame. But at the same time, as the first German President to join this agreement, I am filled with gratitude and humility.” used the phrases.
Emphasizing that he commemorates those who participated in the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising with deep sadness and mourning, Steinmeier said, “Here they bravely revolted against injustice, terrorism and murders. Their courage extended far beyond the war zone and encouraged others. It is their legacy to keep this memory alive so that what happened does not happen again.” he said.
Steinmeier underlined that the crimes committed by the Germans in Warsaw, the capital of occupied Poland, should be remembered more widely, and continued as follows:
“It is very important for me to be here today. I am here to say that the Germans are aware of and accept our responsibility and mission. Germany started World War II by invading Poland. The Germans meticulously planned and committed this crime against humanity. I am here today and here you are. “I beg your pardon for the crimes committed by the Germans. Many people in Poland and Israel gave the gift of reconciliation to us, the Germans, despite these crimes, the people who were shot. An indescribable gift that we could not wait for and have no right to wait for.”
“Never again”
Israeli President Isaac Herzog also referred to the difficulty of what happened in Warsaw 80 years ago, saying that the society in Warsaw faced challenges that humanity had never seen before.
Herzog stated that 80 years after the uprising, as the presidents of Germany, Israel and Poland, it was very meaningful for them to come together at the commemoration ceremony and the common phrase in mind was “never again”.
Expressing that the Nazis and their accomplices acted with absolute malice, Herzog emphasized that they had to remember the history when they faced extinction and destruction, and this contributed to the friendship between Poland and Israel.
Polish President Andrzej Duda stated that the courage and attitude of the Polish Jews in the Warsaw ghetto and the Poles in the war should not be forgotten.
Expressing that they respectfully commemorate the heroes of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, Duda said, “They have never lost their spirit and have set an example for all of us until today. This uprising is a symbol of courage and determination for us.”
Warsaw Ghetto Uprising
Today, Poland commemorates the 80th anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising.
The uprising in question was recorded as the largest single act of resistance by the Jews against the Germans during the Second World War.
Every year, on the anniversary of the uprising, church bells and sirens are rung in the city and the insurgents who started the uprising are commemorated.
In memory of Marek Edelman, who survived the uprising and passed away in 2009, daffodils are handed out each year by those who attend the ceremonies and left at monuments.
It is known that many Jews died of starvation and disease in the Warsaw Ghetto, which was established by the Nazis in an area of 3 square kilometers in 1939, and most of the survivors were sent to the Treblinka death camp in the east of Warsaw.