27th January 2000

Stockholm hosts Holocaust Forum

It’s an illustration of how the shadows of the Nazi era can still fall across the present day. An Israeli Minister attending the HolocaustForum, Michael Melchior, attacked Joerg Haider and his teachings as an insult to the message they’d all come to Stockholm to talk about. It was intolerable, Mr Melchior said, that men of his kind should become part of the leadership of any decent country. Several years ago, Mr Haider praised Adolf Hitler’s employment policies and the men of the Waffen SS who played a leading role in the killing of many millions of Jews and other minorities. He’s since apologised for his remarks, but Israel says it will review its relations with Austria if his party enters the government.

illustration: an example or story used to make a point clear

shadows: when a shadow falls across something it covers it. In this case, the shadow of the Nazi era is covering or affecting the events at the forum

holocaust: a very great destruction and loss of life, especially in war or by fire

forum: a place or event in which people exchange ideas and discuss things

attacked: if you attack a person's belief or idea you criticise them strongly

teachings: the teachings of a religious or political thinker are the ideas that he or she teaches to other people

insult: a rude remark or action which offends someone

intolerable: unacceptable

kind: here, kind means people with opinions like those of Joerg Haider's position in society

policies:a set of plans that is used as a basis for making decisions

never again should anyone: the verb is inverted for emphasis

give testimony to: bear witness to

formally: officially

'ugly stains': a stain is a dirty mark that is difficult to remove. Here refers to the role of certain people in Sweden, which was officially neutral during the war

record: someone's record is all the facts that are known about their achievements or character