Monaco: Prince apologized for deportation to gas chambers

Prince of Monaco Albert II publicly apologized to the Jewish community that his country refused to offer assistance to dozens of Jews who sought the help of Monaco to escape the gas chambers.

"We are committed to deliver a message... women, men and children who sought our refuge, fleeing the persecution in France. They came to us in their plight, thinking they would find a neutral country, and we did not protect them, it was our responsibility," said Prince Albert during the dedication of a monument in the cemetery of Monaco , on which were engraved the names of Jews deported from Monaco during the Second World War.

The ceremony was also attended by the Chief Rabbi of Monaco and Jewish community leaders. It was the first public acknowledgment for 73 years since World War II, that the Princedom of Monaco publicly acknowledged the crimes against the Jews. "We implemented this irreparable thing when we transferred to the Nazis men, women and children who wanted to find shelter from the gas chambers, we did not give them protection and it was our job to protect them," said the Prince.

European Jewish Congress President Dr. Moshe Kantor, said he welcomes the Prince's comments and the "desire of the principality to examine properly the role during the dark days of the Nazi occupation," as he put it. Kantor added: "There is no time limit for true remorse".

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!