The unfolding tragedy in Kosovo has a particular resonance for Jews, "who are only too aware of genocide and ethnic cleansing", a Holocaust memorial service in Dublin was told last night.
Mr Alan Benson, chairman of the Jewish Representative Council of Ireland, said the plight of Kosovans was "an unwelcome and chilling reminder, not only of events that occurred 54 years ago, but also that genocide and ethnic cleansing is unfortunately still with us.
"Maybe there are people who would be reluctant to use the term `genocide' in relation to what is happening in Kosovo and other areas. As we gather here this evening we would say to them that no matter what terminology is used, all crimes against humanity must be out-rightly condemned."
Among those who attended the annual Yom Hashoah Holocaust service at the Terenure Synagogue was the Taoiseach's aide-de-camp, Capt Michael Kiernan. At a meeting held afterwards in an adjoining hall, Capt Kiernan read out a message on behalf of Mr Ahern, noting that the Holocaust victims should be remembered as individuals and not statistics. "Every death was the ending of a unique human spirit," said the Taoiseach in his message.
The guest of honour at the meeting was Lady Amelia Jakobovits, whose husband, Lord Emmanuel Jakobovits, was Chief Rabbi of Ireland between 1948 and 1958.
Lady Jakobovits spoke of her experiences in France during German occupation. Earlier yesterday, she unveiled a plaque at Bloomfield Avenue, South Circular Road, outside the house in which she used to live with her husband.
The Israeli ambassador, Mr Zvi Gabay, said Israel took "a harsh view of the terrible human tragedy" in the Balkans and had offered assistance to refugees fleeing ethnic cleansing. "We were refugees and we identify with the plight of refugees" he said.
In a ceremony repeated across the globe, a flame was lit outside the synagogue in memory of the estimated 6 million Jewish victims of the Nazi Holocaust.
