Jerusalem – The Simon Wiesenthal Center is calling for the removal of a plaque honoring the chaplain of a World War II Lithuanianauxiliary police battalion which murdered more than 15,000 Jews in Belarus during the years 1941-1942.
In a letter sent today by its chief Nazi-hunter, Dr. Efraim Zuroff, who is also responsible for Eastern European Affairs, to theLithuanian ambassador to Israel, the Center harshly condemned the recent installation of the plaque honoring Zenonas IgnataviÄius in his hometown of Vitkija. It also criticized the participationin the ceremony of Lithuanian soldiers.
According to Zuroff:
"The 12th Lithuanian Auxiliary Police Battalion, under the command of Major Antanas ImpuleviÄius, was sent to Belarus in October1941 and was responsible for the murder of more than 15,000 Jews. During their service there, IgnataviÄius served as their chaplain and administered to their religious needs, including takingconfessions. There is no indication anywhere that he ever expressed any opposition or revulsion regarding the horrific murders of innocent Jewish men, women and children by the men of thisbattalion.
"Is this a person whom Lithuania wants to honor? Is this the person who should serve as a model for the young soldiers of Lithuania'sarmy?
"We urge you to convey our deepest sense of outrage and revulsion at the honoring of a priest who lent solace and compassion to themass murderers of the 12th LAPB.
"Shame on the organizers of such an event and shame on the authorities who allowed this to take place."
For more information, please contact the Center's Communications Department, 310-553-9036, join the Center on Facebook,www.facebook.com/simonwiesenthalcenter, or follow @simonwiesenthal for news updatessent direct to your Twitter feed.
The Simon Wiesenthal Center is one of the largest international Jewish human rights organizations with over 400,000 member families in the United States. It is anNGO at international agencies including the United Nations, UNESCO, the OSCE, the OAS, the Council of Europe and the Latin American Parliament (Parlatino).