Greek MP Adonis Georgiadis, who is also vice president of the centre-right opposition New Democracy party, has posted an apology on his Facebook account unequivocally renouncing past antisemitic behaviour and statements and apologising to the Greek Jewish Community.
Georgiadis’s made the post on January 27, International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
He wrote: “On the occasion of the Day of Remembrance for Holocaust victims, I wish to clarify my views on antisemitism, which is a key threat to the Jewish people and a blow to the values of our democracy and of Western civilization.”
“In the past, he went on,” I had coexisted with and tolerated the opinions of people who showed disrespect to my Jewish compatriots and for this reason I feel the need to apologise to the Jewish community.”
He specifically apologised for his support and promotion of the offensive an antisemitic book by Kostas Plevris.
Georgiadis wrote that, “in recent years I have learned a lot about the Jewish people, its history and the contribution of Greek Jews to our country and I have tried a lot and I am continuing to try to tell our fellow citizens about their contribution. I firmly believe that antisemitism does not and should not have a place in our democracy and in our culture.”
The Holocaust of the Jewish people is the greatest shame of our contemporary civilisation and through their sacrifice, democracy, anti-racism, and the belief in the equality and freedom of peoples was strengthened.” Georgiadis continued.
The Central Board of Jewish Communities in Greece, the country’s EJC affiliate