Portugal pays tribute to Aristides Sousa Mendes Holocaust hero
The Portuguese Government paid late tribute to a diplomat who saved
thousands of Jews. Aristides Sousa Mendes, the Portuguese Consul General in
Bordeau, issued transit visas to over 10,000 Jews and 20,000 other refugees
against the wishes of the Portuguese government in 1940.
Sousa Mendes was recalled and stripped of his position and pension. He also
was forbidden from practicing law. Sousa Mendes stated, "I would rather be
with God against man than with man against God."
In 1988, he was honoured by Israel's Yad Vashem as a Righteous Among the
Nations.
The Portuguese government has now launched a website about Mendes and he has
been posthumously reinstated. He has also been posthumously promoted and
compensation has been paid to his family. His home has been purchased for
use as a museum and a memorial website has been established.
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