Anger in Switzerland: The president denied his state Holocaust crimes

The Swiss Jewish community is outraged at the president who ignored the country's part in the Holocaust.


Swiss Jewish organizations protested against President Wally Maurer who participated last night (Sunday) at the International Holocaust Remembrance Day and said that his country was neutral during World War II.


The president added that Switzerland remained a "state of freedom and law" during the war and a haven for persecuted refugees.


The president ignored the refugees who were refused entry and were killed by the Nazis.

The Swiss government said in response to claims of Jewish organizations that President Maurer is aware of the functioning of the state during the war and had no intention to doubt it.


In 2001 a report of the government committee which was published stated that Switzerland rejected many of the refugees who came to their territory, even though the government knew in 1942 about the "Final Solution" of the Nazis.

Between the years 1933 to 1944 Switzerland provided refuge only to those who could prove they were in danger because of political activities. Thus, over 12 critical years Switzerland granted asylum to only a few hundred people, including 252 during World War II.

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!