The Federation of Jewish Communities in Romania (FCER) will continue to fight for the defence of democracy and freedom, to promote the values and principles that define us with determination, conviction and consistency and cannot conceive Romania's return to dictatorship, FCER president, MP Silviu Vexler, announced on Thursday.

"About the power of choice and democracy. About the second round of elections for the President of Romania. For the Federation of Jewish Communities in Romania, for the Jewish culture and for Judaism itself, belief in God, democracy, freedom are and must remain fundamental values of any society. We have been involved and have supported Romania's accession to NATO and the European Union without reservations, with everything we could, being convinced that this is the only real way for the development of our country, for the well-being of the Romanian people. In a unique historical act, both during the War of Independence and the First World War, the Jews of our country fought on the front with patriotism for Romania and made the supreme sacrifice, although they were not recognized as citizens," wrote Silviu Vexler on Facebook.

The president of the FCER recalled that "the Jews chose to do so out of absolute loyalty to their country, having in mind and in their hearts the idea that defined the Jewish presence: "Seek the prosperity of the city to which I have sent you as exiles. Pray to the LORD on its behalf, for if it prospers, you too will prosper."

"These days, we see that all the values we believe in are in danger of collapsing," he added.

Silviu Vexler argued that "politicians who promote anti-Semitism are trying to transform war criminals into heroes of the nation and want to revive, as state policy, the ideology of the Legionary movement - a paramilitary, criminal and terrorist organization, of nationalist-fascist and anti-Semitic orientation, characterized by atrocities and inhuman deeds, the initiation of ethnic persecutions and the unleashing of unimaginable acts of violence".

According to him, democracy is not perfect and it involves many difficulties, mistakes or disappointments, but, nevertheless, it is inconceivable that Romania would return to dictatorship.

"We cannot imagine our country without the European Union and NATO membership, without the Euro-Atlantic path. We cannot give in to those who are trying to destroy our ideals and way of life. The Federation of Jewish Communities in Romania will continue to fight for the defence of democracy and freedom. We will continue to promote the values and principles that define us with determination, conviction and consistency," emphasised the FCER MP.

Silviu Vexler said that his grandparents were persecuted by the Iron Guard movement, deported, kidnapped and sent to forced labor by the criminal dictatorship of Ion Antonescu and later persecuted and robbed again by the Russian soldiers and "liberators".

"I grew up with the aftermath of the dictatorships that destroyed Romania. On Sunday, I support Mrs. Elena Lasconi in the second round of the elections for President of Romania. This vote is no longer about people and political parties. It is a fight against darkness, isolationism, extremism and populism. This Sunday we can lose everything or we can (re)win our future and set the direction we want in history. I choose to support the Romania that I believed in and continue to believe in," said the president of the FCER. AGERPRES (RO - author: Catalina Matei, editor: Florin Marin; EN - editor: Simona Iacob)