Warsaw, 19 April 2023 (dpa/MIA) - On the 80th anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, leaders of Germany, Poland and Israel commemorated the courageous attempt by poorly armed Jews to fight off their Nazi oppressors.

On April 19, 1943, the Nazi paramilitary SS marched into the ghetto - but were faced by armed Jewish resistance. Although the Jews were vastly outnumbered and out-armed the Jewish fighters lasted until mid-May. More than 56,000 Jews were killed or deported to concentration and extermination camps.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog spoke about those who fought against their Nazi oppressors.

"Most of the warriors of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising did not survive. But their spirit, the spirit of man, won here, on this soil, sanctified with the blood of our heroic brethren," he said.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier acknowledged on Wednesday Germany's responsibility for the extermination of the Jews and asked for forgiveness.

At a commemoration ceremony in Warsaw, together with Herzog and Polish President Andrzej Duda, Steinmeier expressed his gratitude for the reconciliation between the two countries and the former perpetrators.

This was an "infinitely precious gift," Steinmeier said at the memorial to the heroes of the ghetto in the Polish capital, according to the text of the speech published in advance.

Germans had meticulously planned and carried out the crime of the Shoah, he said.

Duda paid tribute to the participants of the uprising as joint heroes of Israel and Poland.

"For me and for many Poles, they are above all a symbol of bravery, determination and courage," Duda said in Warsaw at the ceremony.

The people who rose up against the German occupiers in 1943 were "the heroes of Israel, the heroes of Jews all over the world, they are the heroes of Poland and of Poles." With their courage, the insurgents were a role model for Israeli and Polish soldiers guarding the borders of their countries, Duda continued.

Steinmeier acknowledged that this history continues to affect Germany today. "We accept it. For us Germans, the responsibility before our history knows no end. It remains a reminder and a mission for us in the present and in the future."

The Warsaw Ghetto was established by the German occupiers in autumn 1940. Around 450,000 people were imprisoned there in extremely overcrowded conditions.

In 1942, the Nazis began deporting Jews to extermination and labour camps. Between July and September, 250,000 to 280,000 people were deported or murdered.

Steinmeier emphasized that the most important lesson from this time is: "Never again!"

He said this means that there must never again be a criminal war of aggression in Europe like Russia's against Ukraine.

"Never again, that means: we stand firmly by Ukraine's side - together with Poland and with our other allies."

He said Germany supports Ukraine on a humanitarian, political and military basis together with Poland and Germany's allies.

Photo: EPA