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Jerusalem exhibition pays homage to Swiss diplomat

Carl Lutz saved 62,000 Jews from deportation to concentration camps. Detail from the book cover of "Carl Lutz und die Juden von Budapest", publishing company NZZ

Jerusalem is hosting an exhibition celebrating the life of a Swiss diplomat who is credited with saving the lives of thousands of Jews during the Second World War.

This content was published on February 17, 2002 - 16:23

The photographic exhibition at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, titled "Visas for Life", tells the story of Carl Lutz, a diplomat at the Swiss consulate in Budapest between 1942 and 1945.

According to the organisers, Lutz worked with his family and colleagues to save 62,000 Jews from deportation to Nazi concentration camps by issuing "protective letters" and claiming diplomatic immunity for numerous protected houses he established around the city.

"Lutz put moral considerations above everything else," says Claude Altermatt, the attaché d'affaires at the Swiss embassy in Tel Aviv. "His work is truly exemplary."

Organisers say the exhibition, which runs until the end of March, has attracted many older visitors who were among those saved by Lutz.

swissinfo

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In compliance with the JTI standards

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