Berlin's Senate Denies Inaction on Naming Street After Yad Vashem

The Berlin Senate has responded to allegations of inaction regarding a proposal to name a street after Yad Vashem, the Israeli Holocaust memorial. The comments came after Kai Diekmann, the chairman of the Friends of Yad Vashem, accused the city's leadership of failing to act on the initiative.

In a statement, government spokesperson Christine Richter clarified that Ruth Ur, the former executive director of the Friends of Yad Vashem, had reached out to Berlin's governing mayor, Kai Wegner, on February 27, 2024, requesting a meeting. Following this communication, Florian Hauer, the state secretary for federal and European affairs, extended an invitation for a discussion. This meeting took place on April 30, 2024, at the Red Town Hall, attended by Ur and Diekmann.

Diekmann expressed disappointment during a recent interview, stating that no progress had been made since the initiative was proposed. He voiced frustration over what he perceived as a lack of commitment from the mayor, suggesting that the initiative had stalled without any concrete results.

In response, Richter emphasized that during the meeting, it was agreed that the Friends of Yad Vashem would identify a location in Berlin suitable for renaming. This step is crucial as any change to street or place names is governed by district authorities.

Despite the procedural complexities, the Senate has pledged to support the initiative once a specific site is proposed. Richter reiterated that the Senate remains committed to facilitating this effort and is open to continuing discussions with the Friends of Yad Vashem.

Yad Vashem, located in Jerusalem, serves as the primary memorial dedicated to the victims of the Holocaust, attracting over two million visitors annually. The memorial plays a significant role in educating the public about the atrocities committed during World War II and preserving the memory of those who suffered.

During a visit to the memorial in February 2024, Mayor Wegner wrote in the guestbook that Berlin would never forget the horrors of the Holocaust, reflecting the city's commitment to remembrance and vigilance against hate.