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Following are Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s recorded remarks for the International Holocaust Remembrance Day event at the Israeli Embassy in Washington:

“President Obama,

Ambassador Dermer,

Rhoda,

Former Chief Rabbi Lau,

And all the family members whose relatives are being honored tonight,

Today marks the 71st anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. Today, we remember the six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust. We remember the one-and-a-half million Jewish children who never had a chance to grow up. Today is also a day when we can be especially grateful for the establishment of the State of Israel.

The Jewish people were once powerless and stateless. Now we are again a sovereign, independent nation with the capacity to defend ourselves. But as we defend ourselves, we know that we do not stand alone.

While Israel counts other nations as friends, we know we have no better friend than the United States of America.On behalf of all the people of Israel, I want to thank you, President Obama, for coming to our Embassy to mark this important occasion .And I thank you for your commitment to continue to work with us to bolster Israel’s security over the coming decade. Your being here reflects the unbreakable bond of friendship between America and the Jewish state, and it’s a worthy tribute to the four brave individuals whom we honor tonight.

The Jewish people owe a profound debt of gratitude to Walery and Maryla Zibjewski, to Louis Gunden and to Master Sergeant Roddie Edmonds. We are forever indebted to them because of the Jewish children and the Jewish soldiers who were saved thanks to their bravery. Their courage was a special courage. They not only risked their own lives, but the lives of their families and the life of their soldiers. There is no greater courage.

God bless you all.”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)