The Jerusalem Prize, given annually to a leading local public figure who stood out for their support for Israel, was awarded to Danish MP Lars Aslan Rasmussen.
Aslan Rasmussen is a member of the Social Democrats Party and the state’s representative in the European Parliament on human rights committees.
The award was given to him at an event in Copenhagen by, Gusti Joshua Braverman, the head of the Department for Organization and Liaison with Israelis in the Diaspora at the WZO.
The event was attended by Israeli Ambassador to Denmark David Akov, Chairman of the Zionist Federation of Denmark Max Meyer, the chairman of the Jewish Community of Denmark and some of the country’s Jewish politicians and heads of Jewish organizations.
“I have always believed that Jews, like all other peoples, have a right to their state,” said Rasmussen.
Aslan Rasmussen is considered to be one of the rising stars in Danish politics. He is the son of an immigrant who grew up in one of Copenhagen’s immigrant-populated neighborhoods. His mother grew up in Denmark while his father, a Kurd of Turkish descent, came to the country as a migrant worker.
His grandfather on his mother’s side was an underground partisan against the Nazis in World War II and saved many Jews during the Holocaust
He is “very excited to receive the Jerusalem Prize. I will continue to defend Israel. I have political ambitions and I would like to continue to serve the public in Denmark – and as long as I am there, I will continue to defend my values and truth, as well as the Jewish people and the State of Israel.”
“MP Aslan Rasmussen shows public courage and political leadership in his steadfast stand with the Jewish community in Denmark,” said Gusti Joshua Braverman, who presented him with the award, adding that the MP “is now part of a long list of leaders around the world who have been awarded this prestigious prize.”
Former recipients of the prestigious award include Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, a former Uruguayan president, a former Uruguayan foreign minister, Supreme Court presidents, ministers, MPs, mayors and more.
