Brooklyn, NY – Today we celebrate 70 years of the passing of the United Nation resolution for the formation of the Jewish State of Israel, where Haiti cast the deciding vote in the debate at the United Nations General Assembly.

The nations of Israel and Haiti share a long and unique relationship. Before the independence of Haiti 213 years ago, the people of Haiti experienced a period of slavery, reminiscent of what the Jewish People experienced for 210 years in Egypt.

"Not many people know about the relationship between Haiti and Israel, and I am happy to share this part of our joint history," said Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte, the daughter of Haitian immigrants. "One of the highlights of my world travel has been my 2011 trip to Israel where I was privileged to visit Holy Sites and the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum. During that trip I noted that Haiti was not properly commended for their role in saving Jewish people who were fleeing the Holocaust, based on communication I was able to have with Haiti Holocaust Survivor Bill Mohr and his wife Harriet Mohr who found refuge in Haiti for ten months during the holocaust. As a result of this, Yad Vashem added an exhibit where they commemorate this vital history."

After the 2010 devastating earthquake in Haiti, Israel was the first country to come and set up field hospitals and initiate other vital work. Haiti remains grateful to Israel for their help in their time of need. Baby boys born in these field hospitals were named 'Israel' in memorialization of Israel's significant role in the aftermath of the earthquake."

The Jewish community was deeply enrooted in Haiti during colonial times, mainly because of the Inquisition of 1492 in the Iberian Peninsula which forced Jewish people to flee, convert or be killed for practicing their religion, leading many Jewish people to flee to Haiti. Throughout the 1600's, various laws ordered all the Jewish people out of the French colonies of America. Jewish people fled and found haven in Haiti, with many of these residents subsequently establishing thriving communities and businesses.

In the 1800's, Jewish people fled pogroms and the oppressive laws of Poland and the Levant, and found asylum in Haiti. They settled on the coastline, and in port cities, as many of them were involved in commerce and trade.

Haiti was instrumental in saving the lives of 70 Jewish families during the Holocaust. According to the Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, an estimated total of up to 300 Jews who fled Nazi Germany came to Haiti. There were others who never came to Haiti, but were given Haitian passports by the Haitian Government which allowed them to flee Germany and relocate to other countries, escaping certain death.

On the 29th of November 1947, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution calling for Palestine to be apportioned between Arabs and Jews, allowing for the formation of the Jewish State of Israel. Passage of the resolution required a 2/3 majority of the valid votes, not counting abstaining and absent members of the UN's then 56-member states. The United Nations General Assembly voted 33 to 13, with 10 abstentions and 1 absence, confirming the establishment of the Jewish State of Israel. Haiti cast the deciding vote in the debate at the United Nations General Assembly on the existence of Israel as a nation in modern times.

More on Haiti Holocaust at their Web site.