Co-chair of the Observance Helene Zadok shared the Sousa Mendes ’ action . She said :
In November 1939 , the Portuguese Government of Antonio de Oliveira Salazar issues a directive to all consular officials forbidding them to issue Portuguese visas to any refugees fleeing Nazism .
In July 1940 , Sousa Mendes , posted in France , goes into seclusion for a few days and decides to act . “ My government has flatly denied all requests for the granting of visas to any and all refugees . I have it all in my hands now , to save the many thousands of persons who have come from everywhere in Europe in the hope of finding sanctuary in Portugal . They are all human beings , and their status in life , their religion or color , are altogether immaterial to me . Furthermore , the clauses of the constitution of my country relative to such cases as the present say that under no circumstances shall the religion or political belief of a foreigner bar him from seeking refuge in Portuguese territory . I am a Christian and , as such , believe that it is not for me to let these refugees perish . A large number of them are Jews . Many are men and women with prominent positions who , due to their social standing , as leaders and such , felt it in their hearts to speak and act against the forces of oppression …. I know that Mrs . de Sousa Mendes wholly concurs with my views , and I feel certain that my children will understand and not hold it against me if by giving out visas to each and every one of the refugees , I , tomorrow , am discharged from my duties for having acted contrarily to orders which , in my estimation , are vile and unjust . And so , I declare that I shall give , free of charge , a visa to whosoever shall request it . My desire is to be with God against Man rather than with Man , and against God .”
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