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Stop comparing the Holocaust to other events in history, Israeli leader Naftali Bennett urges

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and his wife (left) stand together with Israeli President Isaac Herzog and his wife during a ceremony marking Holocaust Remembrance Day

The Israeli leader has called on the world to stop comparing the Holocaust to other events in history.

Naftali Bennett, the prime minister, ushered in Holocaust memorial day in Jerusalem at Yad Vashem, the official memorial to victims, as his country came to a standstill in an annual ritual commemorating the six million Jews murdered by the Nazis.

Mr Bennett said: “As the years go by, there is more and more discourse in the world that compares other difficult events to the Holocaust, but no.

“No event in history, cruel as it may have been, is comparable to the extermination of Europe’s Jews by the Nazis and their collaborators.”

Both Ukraine and Russia have compared their ongoing war to the genocide committed during the Second World War.

As sirens marking the beginning of a two-minute silence rang out across Israel, drivers got out of their cars and pedestrians halted in their tracks as they bowed their heads in respect.

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and his wife (left) stand together with Israeli President Isaac Herzog and his wife during a ceremony marking Holocaust Remembrance Day
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Naftali Bennett and his wife (left) at the ceremony at Yad Vashem in Jerusalem

Israel is home to around 165,000 Holocaust survivors.

Mr Bennett also warned Israelis against allowing their deep differences to tear the country apart.

“My brothers and sisters, we cannot – we simply cannot – allow the same dangerous gene of factionalism [to] dismantle Israel from within,” Mr Bennett said.

Mr Bennett’s comments came after his family received a letter with a live bullet and a death threat on Tuesday.

Israelis stand next to their cars as a two-minute siren sounds in memory of victims of the Holocaust in Tel Aviv. Pic: AP
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Roads came to a standstill in Tel Aviv. Pic: AP
People stand still in Jerusalem as a two-minute siren sounds
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The siren rang while one man was crossing the road

Israeli authorities have tightened security around the premier and his family and are investigating.

Restaurants and entertainment venues across the country shut for Holocaust memorial day, while radios played sombre music and TV stations showed Holocaust documentaries.

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PM Modi calls Israeli counterpart Naftali Bennett, discusses global events and bilateral cooperation

PM Modi calls Israeli counterpart Naftali Bennett, discusses global events and bilateral cooperation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to his Israeli counterpart Naftali Bennett, whose visit to India was postponed after he contracted Covid-19, to enquire about his health and also discuss recent global events.

Modi tweeted that he looked forward to welcoming Bennett to India for his first visit to the country. “Was happy to speak with PM @naftalibennett and to know that he is recovering well. We discussed recent global events, and also reviewed India-Israel cooperation in various areas. I look forward to welcoming him in India very soon to continue our discussions,” he said.

Replying to him, the Israeli prime minister said, “It was great speaking to you my friend, @NarendraModi. I look forward to seeing you soon!”

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that PM Modi also expressed his condolences for the loss of lives in the recent terrorist attacks in Israel. “The leaders had a detailed discussion on recent geopolitical developments, including the situation in Ukraine. They also reviewed ongoing bilateral cooperation initiatives,” MEA said.

It also said that Prime Minister Modi “conveyed his eagerness to welcome (Israel’s PM) Bennett in India at an early date”.

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Lisa See, Brit Bennett, Fran Lebowitz and more: 10 Oregon literary events

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Events are free and virtual unless otherwise noted.

Oregon author Guadalupe Garcia McCall presents her new middle grade suspense novel, “The Keeper.” 2 p.m. Feb. 12, Barnes & Noble Bridgeport Village, 7227 S.W. Bridgeport Road, Tigard.

Portland poet Shawn Aveningo Sanders hosts a poetry reading featuring Oregon poets Beth Bonness and Mimi German and poet Sam Love. 4 p.m. Feb. 12, via The Poetry Box. Join here.

Books With Pictures hosts a “Date Night” edition of Book Fair For Grown-ups, featuring comics and beer. 6-9 p.m. Feb. 12, Leikam Brewing, 5812 E. Burnside St., Portland. Vaccination cards required for entry.

Portland illustrator Chamisa Kellogg holds a storytime featuring her new picture book, “Some Days: A Tale of Love, Ice Cream, and My Mom’s Chronic Illness,” written by Julie A. Stamm. 11 a.m. Feb. 15, via Green Bean Books. Watch here.

Author Dana Schwartz discusses her historical fantasy novel “Anatomy: A Love Story” with Victoria Aveyard, author of the Red Queen series. 5 p.m. Feb. 15, via Powell’s Books. Register here.

Portland author Anita Kelly presents their novel “Love & Other Disasters” in a reading with author Timothy Janovsky (“Never Been Kissed”) and Oregon author Alison Cochrun (“The Charm Offensive”). 7 p.m. Feb. 15, via Annie Bloom’s Books. Register here.

Author Fran Lebowitz appears in “An Evening With Fran Lebowitz,” moderated by Luke Burbank, host of the public radio variety show Live Wire. 7:30 p.m. Feb. 16, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 S.W. Broadway. Tickets start at $29.50; buy at portland5.com.

Author Lisa See, whose latest historical novel is “The Island of Sea Women,” gives a virtual talk on “The Story Behind the Stories.” 7:30 p.m. Feb. 16, via Portland’s Voices Lecture Series. $49; order tickets here.

Author Alejandro Zambra discusses his novel “Chilean Poet” with translator Megan McDowell and fellow author Daniel Alarcón. 5 p.m. Feb. 17 via Powell’s Books. Register here.

Brit Bennett, author of the best-selling novels “The Mothers” and “The Vanishing Half,” appears as the third speaker in Literary Arts’ 2021-22 Portland Arts & Lecture series. 7:30 p.m. Feb. 17, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 S.W. Broadway, Portland. Limited number of non-subscription tickets, $29, ticket provides access to either in-person event or remote livestream; buy at literary-arts.org.

More books coverage:

For Valentine’s Day, here are 10 swoon-worthy titles by Oregon authors

Ken Babbs’ ‘Cronies’ a must-read for aging hippies, anyone fascinated by Merry Pranksters era

‘Beasts of a Little Land,’ Portland author’s debut novel, is a sweeping tale of love and war in 20th-century Korea

Portland author’s debut novel, ‘The Boy with a Bird in His Chest,’ journeys through queer pain, yearning and joy

awang@oregonian.com; Twitter: @ORAmyW