Marcel Ciolacu: A democratic state must not tolerate xenophobic, racist or discriminatory manifestations, nor hate speech

The teaching of the subject "History of the Jews. The Holocaust" in high schools, starting this school year, will contribute to the consolidation of democracy in the country, said today the participants in the ceremony organized by the Government and the Federation of Jewish Communities to mark this moment.

The subject "History of the Jews. The Holocaust" was included in the framework plans of high school and professional education, as part of the common core, starting with the 2023-2024 school year. Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu also spoke at the ceremony.

The President of the Federation of Jewish Communities in Romania, deputy Silviu Vexler, is convinced of the importance of teaching the history of the Jews and the Holocaust in schools, appreciating that one of the major problems of our society lies precisely in the loss of connection with history, with the lessons it offered us. In his opinion, education is the best weapon to strengthen a democratic state.

Silviu Vexler: "History of the Jews. The Holocaust", the subject that is already taught in all high schools in Romania, was not made for Jews. The main goal is our desire for the present and the future to be defined by normality, by the need for current and future generations to have the opportunity to learn from what happened in the past in order to build the world around them as they wish. Education has the power to be both the best weapon and the best defense.

Reporter: A democratic state must not tolerate xenophobic, racist or discriminatory manifestations, nor hate speech, Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu said for his part, stating that the students' study of the history of the Jews and the Holocaust can significantly contribute to preventing the repetition of mistakes from past and it is also a gesture not to hide dark parts of history or those who generated them.

Translated by: Radu Matei