On Thursday, August 27, 2015, His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco accompanied by Monseigneur Bernard Barsi, Rabbi Haïm Korsia, the Minister of State of Monaco, Mr. Michel Roger, and other Monégasque government officials unveiled a monument at the Cimetiére de Monaco in remembrance of Jews living in Monaco who were deported to Nazi concentration camps during World War II. Yesterday’s ceremony was “…chosen to mark 73 years since Monégasque authorities, under pressure from Nazi collaborationist leaders in France, rounded up at least 66 Jews on the night of Aug. 27-28, 1942. They were among about 90 people deported from Monaco, or Monégasque residents deported from neighboring France, during the war…” according to the Associated Press.
In his speech, the sovereign prince apologized for Monaco’s role in deporting so many innocent people:
“..to say this today is to recognize a fact. To say it today, on this day, before you, is to ask forgiveness. We committed the irreparable in handing over women, men and a child who had taken refuge with us to escape the persecutions they had suffered in France. We did not protect them. It was our responsibility. In distress, they came specifically to take shelter with us, thinking they would find neutrality.”
The Royal Correspondent 