A TRANSLATION OF THE SPEECH MADE BY PRESIDENT MARIO SOARES
IN CASTELO DE VIDE, PORTUGAL
Mr Mayor of Castelo de Vide,
Mrs Secretary of Culture,
Mrs Ambassador,
Mr President of the Jewish Community of Portugal,
Reverend Rabbi,
Friends;
The medieval Jewish Quarter of Castelo de Vide bears witness to the presence of Jews in our country, from the earliest times of our nationhood. It demonstrates that Jews were an important component and made an invaluable contribution to our history.
Unfortunately religious extremism, with the introduction of the inquisition in Portugal, came, against our better traditions, to increase the persecution of the Jews. Their expulsion from Spain and Portugal, as we were taught by Antero de Quental, constituted one of the principle causes of the decline of the Iberian Peoples across several centuries.
Throughout this area,along the Portuguese- Spanish border, here in the Alto Alentego and further north to Braganca, is marked by evidence, ever present in the Portuguese culture, of the persecution which the Jews were invariably the victims, throughout time, either by the Spanish or the Portuguese, successively or simultaneously requiring the forced conversion, burnings in the Auto-da Fe, and exiling to the north of Europe some of the best Portuguese souls, where they greatly contributed to the progress and modernisation of those countries that welcomed them.
And, the democratic tradition of Portugal, which originated in the great Burguesa Revolution of 1383-85, however has a different ecumenical tradition. This was the democratic tradition that most contributed to the formation of the Portuguese mind and it is that which defines and explains our outlook as universalists.
It was this outlook that inspired and founded the golden ages of Portuguese history and the culmination of our collective destiny, such that today we are justly proud to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the beginning of the age of the Discoveries. On the contrary whenever our tradition of universalism was contradicted or violated, whenever the fires of the inquisition were lit, or the intolerance of the "Santo Officio" burned books or people, our country entered into inevitable decline and decadence.
With the Revolution of the 25th of April, Portugal recovered its tradition of tolerance, co-existence with that which is different and respect for others.
Our century which gave us such prodigious and revolutionary transformations, lived paradoxically some of the darkest and saddest experiences of terror in human history.
The Holocaust of the Jews, during the era of the Nazis, teaches us what the extremism of inhumanity and fanaticism can do. Remembering it here at this moment seems to me particularly appropriate. This is not only to pay homage to its victims, this is, as Ellie Wiesel said in an impressive speech, " not to let the victims die a second time, in forgetting them," to " do justice to memory" is to repeat with them the terrible question; In the end what is the meaning of all this?
What sense can we make of the persecutions and violations done against innocent people? In what name? Why? Only the absurd can explain such things, without either reason or logic. And against the horrors, fanaticism, of intolerance and of inhumanity there is only one possible answer; to affirm the critical spirit, the freedom of thought, respect for human rights, the spirit of tolerance.
In this hour in which so many hopes for the future are brewing and opportunities for peace present themselves, again the disquieting symptoms of religious fanaticism and intolerance reappear with calls for new autos-da-fe and even the murder of human beings. The case of Salmon Rushdie is in this aspect significant.
I want at this point in the name of free and democratic Portugal, which I represent; of Portugal who through history knew dogmatism and oppression, to reaffirm the values of liberty and human rights, making a solemn appeal to the ideal of respect for others, people or peoples. There are today’s world uncompromisable conditions for peace and progress.
In Alentejo’s countryside and in this beautiful country the Jewry has held its own throughout the centuries with a symbol we hope is of tolerance, brotherhood and the essential unity of all humanity. This is the meaning I give to this ritual in which we have just participated in the Synagogue and of my presence here honoring the beautiful tradition in Portuguese history.
In the name of Portugal I ask the forgiveness of the Jews for the persecutions of which they were victims in our country.
Mario Soares, President of Portugal.
This powerful address was given in the presence of Colette Avital, the Israeli ambassador to Portugal, on March 17th 1989.
President Soares chose to give this speech in "Castelo de Vide", a little town in Portugal, where in years gone by, they had an active and large Jewish Community. Today, the "Judeira" is preserved and the beautiful synagogue is one of only a few that still exists. He, President Soares, toured the Judeira accompanied by the head of the Jewish Community of Portugal, Dr. Joshua Ruah. After which, he gave the above speech, in which he not only asked for forgiveness, but to also thank the Jews of Portugal. " We are celebrating now, the 500th anniversary of the discovery of America. These were glorious days for Portugal, with the Jews contributing towards that greatness. As a matter of fact, after the expulsion of the Jews the downfall of Portugal started". Mr Soares personally contacted Miss Avital to ask her to join him in this journey. "This was the most touching moment in my life", said the Israeli Ambassador to Portugal. " I felt hope after 500 years, justice was made towards our people in this country".
E-mail: Rufina Bernardetti Silva Mausenbaum