On September 25, 2024, the Italian Consulate General in New York held a moving tribute to the “Forgotten Heroes of the Holocaust,” honoring 60 diplomats—six of whom were Italian—who bravely risked their lives to save Jews during the Nazi persecution of World War II.

Victoria Whipple from Project Legacy opened the ceremony, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to acknowledge these diplomats’ extraordinary courage in saving thousands, despite facing tremendous peril. She highlighted the enduring impact of compassion and moral conviction during such dark times.

Eighty years later, diplomats from Italy, Sweden, Hungary, Spain, Portugal, Slovakia, and France, alongside the U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism, gathered to honor these heroes. Whipple emphasized the importance of international solidarity in recognizing the diplomats’ legacy, which transcends borders and serves as a beacon of hope.

 

The event welcomed consuls general and ambassadors from countries including Switzerland, Argentina, the Bahamas, Mozambique, Chad, Austria, Poland, Canada, Panama, Sri Lanka, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bosnia, Mexico, and Albania. Special recognition was given to members of the New York City Council and New York State Assembly, including Gail Brewer, Brian Cunningham, Ari Brown, Keith Brown, and Rebecca Seawright. A heartfelt tribute was paid to Abe Foxman, esteemed chairman, along with co-chair Art Reidel and Mr. Friedlander of the Legacy Group, whose leadership facilitated the event and contributed to the passage of the Congressional Gold Medal Act.

Attendees expressed gratitude to the Italian Consulate for graciously hosting the celebration. As the Congressional Gold Medal Act was discussed, participants were encouraged to reflect on the sacrifices made by these diplomats in protecting human lives, reminding everyone of the collective responsibility to combat oppression and defend the vulnerable.

Fabrizio Di Michele, Consul General of Italy in New York, welcomed the audience and expressed pride in hosting such a significant event with ambassadors, consuls general, and representatives from various organizations and authorities. He was especially pleased to introduce Italy’s Ambassador to the United States, Mariangela Zappia.

Ambassador Zappia thanked Di Michele and the Consulate for organizing the event, warmly welcoming the attending diplomats and members of the New York City Council and State Assembly. She extended special greetings to Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt, acknowledging her unwavering commitment to combating antisemitism.

In her remarks, Zappia reflected on the incredible bravery of those who risked—and often lost—their lives to save Jews during the Holocaust, which she described as one of humanity’s darkest periods, characterized by ideologies of racial superiority and fanaticism. Yet, amid such horror, individuals emerged as beacons of courage and humanity. Among the 60 diplomats honored through this legislation are six Italians: Guelfo Zamboni, Giorgio Perlasca, Pope John XXIII (Angelo Roncalli), Angelo Rotta, Gennaro Verolino, and Filippo Bernardini—whom Italy proudly recognizes.

Ambassador Zappia reiterated the necessity of remaining vigilant against rising antisemitism, especially following the tragic events of October 7. She noted that Italy was the first country in 2000 to enact a law designating January 27 as Holocaust Remembrance Day, maintaining a leading role in combating antisemitism by establishing a national coordinator and robust strategies for international collaboration. She highlighted Italy’s support for adopting global guidelines to combat antisemitism in Buenos Aires last July, as well as its partnership with Yad Vashem to provide specialized training for diplomats, law enforcement, and judges.

Zappia concluded by emphasizing that the lessons of history must inform present-day actions, especially for those in diplomatic roles. The Forgotten Heroes, through their courage and sacrifice, remind us of all to confront hatred and oppression with unwavering resolve. Their legacy is integral to Italy’s identity, urging us to stand against injustice at every level.

U.S. Special Envoy for Antisemitism, Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt, shared her experiences teaching at the Gregorian Institute at the Vatican, where she covered significant Holocaust memoirs, including those of Primo Levi. She honored the actions of the 60 diplomats, noting their extraordinary courage in helping individuals escape, often in direct violation of government orders.

Lipstadt called for continued efforts to combat rising antisemitism, including initiatives led by her team at the State Department to produce global guidelines for countering antisemitism, which have garnered support from Italy and other countries represented by the honored diplomats. She urged everyone to familiarize themselves with these guidelines, which present clear yet impactful recommendations for combating hatred.

Victoria Whipple then introduced Mr. Ezra Friedlander, head of Project Legacy, who played a vital role in the bill’s passage. Friedlander began his speech by acknowledging the significance of the evening, noting that many diplomats are no longer alive and are now part of history. He emphasized the project’s purpose: to remind the world that ordinary individuals achieved extraordinary feats. He also honored the families of these diplomats, particularly mentioning Julius Kuhl, whose descendants were present.

Friedlander stressed the importance of remembering the sacrifices made by these diplomats and acknowledged key figures, including George Klein, founding chairman of the Museum of Jewish Life. He expressed gratitude to members of the U.S. Congress who sponsored the bill, particularly Representative Maria Salazar, as well as the other representatives and senators involved.

As the evening progressed, Friedlander encouraged attendees to enjoy the reception and celebrate together.

The details of the bill passed by the House of Representatives, H.R. 537, the Forgotten Heroes of the Holocaust Congressional Gold Medal Act, received unanimous support. Introduced by Reps. María Elvira Salazar (R-FL) and Ritchie Torres (D-NY) in January 2023, the bill has since gained the backing of nearly 300 Members of Congress, making it one of the most cosponsored bills in Congress.

At a time when Jews worldwide faced a frightening rise in antisemitism while Israel was under attack, Representative Salazar worked in Congress to ensure that the United States remained a steadfast defender of the Jewish community both domestically and abroad, while honoring the tragedy of the Holocaust.

By honoring the heroes of the past, the aim was to acknowledge the Holocaust as a real event and to serve as a chilling reminder of the devastating consequences of silence in the face of intolerance. Through this legislation, the intention was to honor the memory of these heroes, preserve the truth of the Holocaust for current and future generations, and continue the fight against antisemitism in all its forms.

These diplomats risked their careers and lives to help Jewish people flee Nazi persecution and the brutality of concentration camps. Representative Torres expressed pride in working in a bipartisan manner to pass this measure, which honored those brave individuals who saved thousands of lives with a Congressional Gold Medal.

H.R. 537 grants the Congressional Gold Medal to the 60 diplomats from around the world who, through various means, saved the lives of Jews fleeing Nazi persecution. Many diplomats issued passports and travel visas to Jewish families, often at great personal risk, thereby saving hundreds of thousands of Jewish lives.

The Senate version of this bill was sponsored by Senators Bill Hagerty (R-TN) and Tim Kaine (D-VA).

The list of diplomats honored posthumously in this legislation includes: Per Anger (Sweden), Jose Maria Barreto (Peru), Lars Berg (Sweden), Philippe Bernardini (Vatican / Italy), Hiram (Harry) Bingham IV (United States), Friedrich Born (Switzerland), Manuel Antonio Muñoz Borrero (Ecuador), Carlos de Liz-Texeira Branquinho (Portugal), Eduardo Propper de Callejón (Spain), Samuel del Campo (Chile), Aracy Moebius Carvalho de Guimarães Rosa (Brazil), José Arturo Castellanos (El Salvador), Carl Ivan Danielsson (Sweden), Luis Martins de Souza Dantas (Brazil), Georg Ferdinand Duckwitz (Germany), Harald Feller (Switzerland), Francis (Frank) Foley (United Kingdom), Jean Edouard Friedrich (Switzerland), Carlos Almeida Afonseca de Sampaio Garrido (Portugal), Raymond Herman Geist (United States), Feng-Shan Ho (China), Constantin Karadja (Romania), Alexander Kasser (Sándor Kasza) (Sweden / Hungary), Elow Kihlgren (Sweden), Joseph Willem (Joop) Kolkman (Netherlands), Julius Kühl (Switzerland), Aleksander Ładoś (Poland), Valdemar Langlet (Sweden), Charles (Carl) Lutz (Switzerland), George Mandel-Mantello (El Salvador), Florian Manolio (Romania), Aristides de Sousa Mendes (Portugal), Salomon Jacob (Sally) Noach (Netherlands), Giorgio (Jorge) Perlasca (Spain / Italy), Ernst Prodolliet (Switzerland), Franjo Punčuch (Yugoslavia / Slovenia), Sebastián de Romero Radigales (Spain), Konstanty Rokicki (Poland), Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli (Vatican / Italy), Angelo Rotta (Vatican / Italy), Albert Emile Routier (Turkey), Stefan Ryniewicz (Poland), Gilberto Bosques Saldívar (Mexico), José Ruiz Santaella (Spain), Ángel Sanz Briz (Spain), Abdol-Hossein Sardari (Iran), Henryk Slawik (Poland), Robert Smallbones (United Kingdom), Ján Spišiak (Slovakia), Chiune (Sempo) Sugihara (Japan), and many more.

— Meyer Harroch, New York Jewish Travel Guide