Yad Vashem awards the title of Righteous Among the Nations to the late Eduardo Propper de Callejon of Spain

On March 12th, 2008, Yad Vashem held a ceremony in which the title of “Righteous Among the Nations” was awarded to the late Eduardo Propper de Callejon of Spain.  The medal and certificate of honor were presented by Chairman of the Yad Vashem Directorate Avner Shalev, and accepted on Propper’s behalf by his children, Felipe Propper and Elena Carter.  During the war period, Propper served as a diplomat in the Spanish embassy in France, and later, in Bordeaux.  Disobeying direct orders, he issued visas to Jewish refugees. 

H.E. Mr. Eudaldo Mirapeix Martinez, Spanish Ambassador to Israel, and some 30 family members and friends were present at the ceremony, which was held in the Garden of the Righteous Among the Nations. 

The ceremony closed with the unveiling of Propper’s name, engraved on the Wall of Honor in the Garden of the Righteous Among the Nations.  To date, 4 individuals from Spain have been recognized by Yad Vashem as Righteous Among the Nations.

Spanish Ambassador to Israel H.E. Mr. Eudaldo Mirapeix Martinez said at the ceremony:

“Today, I am proud to be part of the Spanish Diplomatic Corps…..not only did Eduardo Propper and other Spanish diplomats defy the Nazi authorities through their actions, they also ignored the official policy of their government – the Franco regime.”

To view the Spanish ambassador’s speech in full (in English), click here.