US Holocaust envoy backs Yad Vashem chair amid gov’t efforts to oust him

The US Special Envoy for Holocaust Issues at the Department of State appears to back Yad Vashem chair Dani Dayan amid efforts by Education Minister Yoav Kisch to replace him.

“The US values the crucial work of Yad Vashem and its director’s leadership as we work together on Holocaust education, remembrance, and research. Maintaining the independence of such institutions around the world is key as we face efforts to distort/deny the facts of the Holocaust,” Ellen Germain tweets.

According to Channel 12 news, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Kisch hope to replace Dayan with Keren Barak, a former MK for their Likud party, claiming there are irregularities in the way Yad Vashem is run.

Dayan has strenuously denied the accusations.

The U.S. values the crucial work of @YadVashem & its director’s leadership as we work together on Holocaust education, remembrance, & research. Maintaining the independence of such institutions around the world is key as we face efforts to distort/deny the facts of the Holocaust.

— Ellen Germain (@StateSEHI) September 2, 2023