Simon Wiesenthal Center

A Simon Wiesenthal Center official told the Jerusalem Post in August, 2007 that the Armenian Genocide should be recognized as a historical fact despite "the political ramifications." We have "an obligation to tell the truth about historical events - even if they sometimes create certain problems for us,"said Dr. Efraim Zuroff, the chief Nazi hunter of the Wiesenthal Center.

Dr. Zuroff was joined by Morton Klein, the president of the Zionist Organization of America, who told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency last week that it is "imperative for Jews to acknowledge the truth of the Turkish genocide against Armenians, notwithstanding Turkey's relationship with Israel." He added: "It's high time for Turkey to acknowledge that truth of history and move on."

Simon Wiesenthal Museum of Tolerance in Israel

$200 million complex designed by architect Frank Gehry under construction.

The Simon Wiesenthal Center has come under fire since it announced plans to build a museum of tolerance in Jerusalem and laid the cornerstone last year, with the help of California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. The international organisation's mission is to combat anti-Semitism, racism, terrorism and genocide.

Critics have protested that a museum dedicated to remembering and preventing racial and cultural hatred should be more inclusive of other local histories, like those of the Armenians and Palestinians.

In deference to complaints by Jerusalem's Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial Museum, the new museum will not focus on this historical chapter.

"If there is a tolerance museum in Jerusalem, it should be a world example for multi-culturalism and coexistence," says Mr Ellenblum.

Wiesenthal officials declined to comment.

Art Newspaper, UK - Jan 26 2006