Jewish and European leaders at a Kristallnacht commemoration in Brussels called for new efforts to combat anti-Semitism and intolerance.
At the gathering marking the 70th anniversary of Kristallnacht, the leaders stressed the need to heed the threats of Iran and others who promote intolerance.
Moshe Kantor, the Russian-born head of the European Jewish Congress, told the 500 guests assembled that few people heeded the warning signs in 1938, but the new warnings — especially threats by Iran — must not be ignored.
Those who fail to respond today are playing into the hands of the Hitlers of tomorrow, said Kantor, who is sponsoring a "week of tolerance" this week. Events include meetings at the European Parliament followed by a rabbinical gathering in Prague.
Kantor said the goal is to unite American, European and Russian leaders in forging new approaches to fighting xenophobia and anti-Semitism.
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