Hong Kong's religious and racial harmony should serve as an example to the rest of the world in the post-September 11 era, departing Israeli Consul-General Eli Avidar says.
He leaves Hong Kong next week to take up a posting with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jerusalem, where he hopes to be closely involved with the Middle East peace process.
'After the September 11 terrorist attacks, there was an urgent need for all religious leaders to be engaged in spiritual, interfaith dialogue to focus on the real issues and not be involved in the hatred and antagonism against each other,' Mr Avidar said. 'If Hong Kong's example were only to be copied in other places, we would not see any antagonism or terrorism.'
But he called on educators to ensure history curriculums in schools take on a wider world view so people gain a better understanding of issues such as Nazism and its effect on the world.
In 2003, Mr Avidar objected to the use of Nazi flags and regalia at a Hong Kong clothing chain and photographs of Nazi executions at a bar. He said the incidents must be the result of ignorance.
'The secretary for education has promised to look into the curriculum on the second world war in schools,' he said. 'There should be a focus on areas other than China and on issues other than the Japanese invasion of China. I believe it is a lack of knowledge and nothing sinister that led to these incidents.'
Fashion chain Izzue.com withdrew the clothing line after an outcry by Mr Avidar, the German consulate and the Jewish community in Hong Kong, while the bar took down the photographs of Adolf Hitler and a Nazi soldier executing a prisoner.