Israeli leaders have warned the world not to repeat mistakes that led to the extermination of 6 million Jews by Nazi Germany and urged the international community to act with determination to stop Iran's nuclear armament.
"We are witnesses today of the new-old fire of hate, hatred of Jews inflamed by the organizations and regimes of extremist Islam, most of all Iran and its satellites," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday at the start of the Holocaust Remembrance Day ceremony in Jerusalem.
Israel regards Iran as its major adversary after Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad repeatedly threatened to "wipe the Jewish state off the map."
Iran's recent move to begin enriching uranium to 20% sparked a new wave of international criticism, with the United States and Israel leading calls for harsher sanctions against the Islamic Republic.
Western powers suspect that Iran's nuclear program is aimed at making weapons, while Tehran claims it is pursuing nuclear technology for its civilian energy needs.
"Iran's leaders are rushing to develop nuclear weapons and freely announce their desire to destroy Israel. But in response to these repeated declarations to wipe the Jewish state from the face of the earth, at best we hear faint protest, and even that is fading," Netanyahu said.
"I call upon all the enlightened nations to stand up and condemn the Iranian destructive intentions and to act with real determination to stop its nuclear armament," he added.
Israeli President Shimon Peres asked the world on Sunday "not to repeat the indifference that cost millions of lives" and said "the ears of the UN have to be attuned to the threats of extermination from Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad against Israel."
Holocaust Martyrs and Heroes Remembrance Day is the national commemoration day in Israel. Memorial ceremonies are being held throughout the country from Sunday to Monday evening.
TEL AVIV, April 12 (RIA Novosti)
