Torah Scroll presented to Chancellor Adenauer by Nahum Goldmann
CELEBRATING THE 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE LUXEBOURG AGREEMENT 2022
Moshe Sharett, Second Prime Minister of Israel 1953-1955
There is no doubt that the signing of the Luxembourg agreement was a remarkable piece of history. Chief Israeli negotiator for the agreement, Felix Shinnar, described the Agreement as ‘ the most remarkable in history.’ Moshe Sharett ,the Israeli Foreign Minister present at the signing said that it was ' fact of enormous political significance, something quite unprecedented, which has taken a most momentous place in the history of Israel and Germany’ .
To this day, Germany has not granted any formal reparations to any other country, even to all those European countries invaded and conquered by the German Army of the NS Government. [1]
[1] Quoted in article by Lily Gardner Feldman, Senior Fellow at the American Institute for Contemporary German Studies at John Hopkins University https://www.aicgs.org/2019/11/the-september-1952-reparations-agreement-between-west-germany-and-israel-the-beginning-of-a-remarkable-friendship/
To this day, Germany has not granted any formal reparations to any other country, even to all those European countries invaded and conquered by the German Army of the NS Government. [1]
[1] Quoted in article by Lily Gardner Feldman, Senior Fellow at the American Institute for Contemporary German Studies at John Hopkins University https://www.aicgs.org/2019/11/the-september-1952-reparations-agreement-between-west-germany-and-israel-the-beginning-of-a-remarkable-friendship/
What motivated this unique agreement? It was certain the world was watching the new West German State and its attitude to World Jewry and the State of Israel. There is no doubt, however, that the visionary leadership (and indeed friendship ) of Adenauer and Ben Gurion was the catalyst that saw the agreement through to its conclusion, in spite of all the political and popular opposition in both countries. Whatever may be misgivings over modern political issues, German-Israeli friendship has weathered the passage of time and stands firm today.
The Brandenburg Gate lit with Israel's Flag. The Flags of Germany and Israel German and Israeli Air Force fly over Dachau
How should we thus celebrate the 70th anniversary of the signing of the agreement?
Most likely – as on the 60th anniversary of the signing in 2012, there will be some conferences and papers and recognition in political speeches in both the Bundestag and the Knesset. What does seem remiss in the light of the nature of this agreement is that there is no public monument or plaque to this remarkable friendship and agreement. We would therefore propose the following:
a plaque in luxembourg to recognise this agreement
A plaque in Hebrew, German and English should be erected with permission of the authorities in Luxembourg at the place of the place of the signing, Luxembourg City Hall. Its artistry should give details of what transpired within its walls on September 1952.
Perhaps there could be similar memorials at both the Bundestag and Knesset in Jerusalem?
Perhaps there could be similar memorials at both the Bundestag and Knesset in Jerusalem?
The German Bundestag, Luxembourg City Hall and the Israeli Knesset
a musical celebration: the hear o israel oratorio
One special contribution that we would like to offer to this special anniversary is a German premiere of the ‘Hear, O Israel’ oratorio. This oratorio tells the remarkable Biblical and historical story of the return of the Jewish people to the land of Israel. It was first performed in London at the Westminster Central Hallin 1984 by a mixed Jewish and Christian Choir (including London’s Zemel Choir) conducted by the Jewish Conductor Sydney Fixman. Rabbi Hugo Gryn, himself a survivor of Auschwitz, lit the Hannukah Candles at the premiere.
Rabbi Hugo Gryn 1930-1996. Westminster Central Hall London The Zemel Choir of London
Later it was performed as a part of the official celebration of Israel’s 40th anniversary at the Mount Scopus Amphitheatre in Jerusalem, and since has been performed in many venues across the U.K. and New Zealand. Like the story of Adenauer and Ben Gurion and the signing of the Luxembourg agreement,' Hear O Israel' is a story of faith and hope and courage, conquering in adversity. It received the support of President Chaim Herzog who was interviewed during the course of the research for the composition of the oratorio.
Chaim Herzog President of Israel 1983-1993 Supporter of Hear O Israel Oratorio
Usually anniversaries like this are rightly the ambit of academic and symbolic political gatherings ,and conferences with speeches and papers. Given the unprecedented nature of the agreement, such a premiere would bring this history to the public domain. It would help the German public and appreciate not alone the cost and sufferings of history, but of the vision and courage of those who sought to right the wrongs of the past, and to share the legacy of the work of Konrad Adenauer and his remarkable friendship with David Ben Gurion.
Picture Credits
Torah Scroll: Courtesy of Adenauer Haus, Moshe Sharett Wikipedia Brandenburg Gate with Israel Flag: unknown Flags of Israel and Germany mfa.gov.il Israel and German Airforce Times of Israel Bundestag Bundestag.de Luxembourg Town Hall en;Wikipedia.org Knesset en.wikipedia.org Rabbi Hugo Gryn, bbc.co.uk Westminster Central Hall evenopedia.com The London Zemel Choir Youtube.com President Herzog Gift to Cormac O’Duffy
Torah Scroll: Courtesy of Adenauer Haus, Moshe Sharett Wikipedia Brandenburg Gate with Israel Flag: unknown Flags of Israel and Germany mfa.gov.il Israel and German Airforce Times of Israel Bundestag Bundestag.de Luxembourg Town Hall en;Wikipedia.org Knesset en.wikipedia.org Rabbi Hugo Gryn, bbc.co.uk Westminster Central Hall evenopedia.com The London Zemel Choir Youtube.com President Herzog Gift to Cormac O’Duffy