Dani Dayan, Chairman of the Board of Yad Vashem, has emphasized that Rwandans and Israelis share a common responsibility to fight genocide wherever it occurs in the world and to support those at risk.
He made the remarks while attending an international conference on genocide prevention, held alongside the commemoration of the 30th anniversary of IBUKA, an organization that advocates for survivors of the Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
Dayan noted that the histories of Rwanda and Israel are closely linked through their tragic experiences of genocide, which places both nations in a unique position to raise global awareness and take a leading role in prevention efforts.
He also recalled a significant initiative in 2005, organized at the request of Yolande Mukagasana, which brought together survivors of the Holocaust and survivors of the Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. The gathering created a powerful platform for sharing testimonies and exchanging ideas on how to rebuild life after such atrocities.
Dayan said he had the opportunity to meet some of the participants of that initiative, where they connected as individuals who had endured profound trauma, sharing experiences and resilience.
He stressed that while genocide leaves deep and lasting scars on survivors, it also creates a lasting responsibility for both survivors and the global community to remember and ensure such tragedies never happen again.
“Remembrance is not a passive act; it is a struggle and a continuous responsibility,” Dayan said.
The international conference conveyed a strong message urging the global community to work together in preventing genocide, combating hate speech and division, supporting survivors, and building a world grounded in peace, justice, and reconciliation.
