January 27, 2005 -- JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon marked the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz with a sharp condemnation for the world that "didn´t lift a finger" to stop the Holocaust.

"The sad and terrible conclusion is that no one cared that Jews were being killed," Sharon said of the Nazi extermination efforts.

"At the time of the most terrible test, friends and benefactors didn´t lift a finger." he said.

"The state of Israel has learned this lesson, and since its founding, it has defended itself and its residents, and provides safety to Jews everywhere. We know that we can only rely on ourselves."

Sharon added, "The legitimate self-defense measures which Israel takes in its war against Palestinian terror — measures any sovereign state would be obliged to take in order to safeguard its residents — are presented by sundry anti-Semites as Nazi-style acts of aggression."

Sharon spoke on the eve of a gathering of world leaders in Poland to mark the 60th anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi death camp Auschwitz. With Post Wire Services (Copyright 2005 NYP Holdings, Inc. 01/27/05)