Why did the Israeli government award He Fengshan the honorary title of "International Justice Person"?

When He Fengshan helped the Jews, the story spread. Among the descendants of He Fengshan who helped Jews, there was a famous American billionaire, Singh, who was later the Secretary-General of the World Jewish Congress.

The Israeli government awarded He Fengshan various honorary titles, such as "International Justice Person" and "Honorary Citizen". At the same time, it also built a monument in He Fengshan. Former Israeli Prime Minister Sharon said in front of the monument in He Fengshan: "He is not an angel, he is a god".

1938, Germany annexed Austria, and the Chinese Embassy in Austria was downgraded to the Consulate General, with He Fengshan as the Consul General. It was just a job, but it turned out to be involved in a storm.

After the Nazis occupied Austria, they began to imprison Jews. But Jews can be released as long as they have a visa to leave Austria and go abroad. So it is conceivable that thousands of Jews are trying to go abroad. However, under the special circumstances of wartime, the country can still lend a helping hand very limited.

A 17-year-old Jewish boy ran to more than 50 consulates in a row and finally returned empty-handed. In near despair, he walked into the Consulate General of China. He Fengshan could not bear to watch the Jews wait for death. He decided to apply for a visa to the Jews immediately and let them take refuge in China.

After the news spread, Jews came to ask for help one after another and got a "Shanghai visa" from He Fengshan, saving their lives. Nazi authorities soon discovered this "loophole", and Chiang Kai-shek's government made friends with Germany at that time, so it asked He Fengshan to stop issuing visas immediately. Nazi authorities confiscated the office building of the Austrian Consulate General. He Fengshan found a new house at his own expense and insisted on issuing a visa. He issued nearly 2000 visas in succession until 1940 was transferred from his post.

He Fengshan never mentioned this part of the work before his death. He buried it in his heart until he died. 1September 1997, He Fengshan died in San Francisco. His daughter mentioned in her obituary that her father issued a visa to Jews. After seeing the obituary, Eric, an American Jewish historian, immediately called He to verify the visa of that year.

This historian is the boy 17 who applied for a visa to He Fengshan. In this way, the story of He Fengshan's aid to Jews spread. Among the descendants of He Fengshan who helped Jews, there was a famous American billionaire, Singh, who was later the Secretary-General of the World Jewish Congress. Singh said excitedly, "My parents were saved by Dr. He. He is a real hero. I must introduce him to the world. "

The Israeli government awarded He Fengshan various honorary titles, such as "International Justice Person" and "Honorary Citizen". At the same time, it also built a monument in He Fengshan. Former Israeli Prime Minister Sharon said in front of the monument in He Fengshan: "He is not an angel, he is a god".

Extended data:

The reason why He Fengshan was rescued.

1On September 28th, 997, 96-year-old He Fengshan died in San Francisco, USA. My daughter mentioned in his obituary that my father had issued visas to Jews during his tenure as Consul General of China in Vienna. After the obituary was published in The Boston Globe, Eric Saul, an American Jewish historian, called Herman to ask about it. Then, historians found some Jewish survivors and their descendants who signed visas in He Fengshan, and found the visas of that year. Later, when Jews held exhibitions about the Nazi Holocaust, they all put He Fengshan in a prominent position, and many media around the world also reported on him. Professor Saul said that two years ago, no one in Jewish circles knew Dr. He's name. Almost all the Jews I come into contact with now are telling the story of Dr. He.

He Fengshan's feat of saving Jews was not made public until after his death, mainly for three reasons:

First, from 1937 to 1939, Shanghai was occupied by the Japanese, and Jews did not need visas to enter Shanghai. It is hard for researchers to imagine that China's diplomats in Europe would have such a feat;

Second, after World War II, China fell into civil war. Later, due to various political factors and historical conditions, the research on China people's assistance to Jewish refugees has not been carried out. 1995, scholars from Shanghai Jewish Studies Center learned during their visits to Germany and Austria that although they didn't need a visa to enter Shanghai that year, Jews could not leave Austria without a visa to Shanghai.

Third, He Fengshan was indifferent to fame and fortune all his life. He doesn't think that helping Jews is earth-shattering, and he rarely mentions it to people.

References:

Baidu Encyclopedia-He Fengshan