Hundreds of World War II veterans of the Soviet Red Army marched proudly down Jerusalem’s main Jaffa Road, from Zion Square to IDF Square, to commemorate the allied victory over the Nazis 63 years ago.
The Sunday march in the capital was organized by Israel’s Absorption Ministry in honor of the tens of thousands of Israeli citizens, many of them immigrants from the former Soviet Union, who fought the Nazis during the Second World War. Similar events are taking place in cities throughout the Jewish State.
(Israel News Photo: Flash 90)
Up to 1.5 million Jews fought against the Nazis in various allied armies during the Holocaust, with tens of thousands more joining underground resistance groups. An estimated 30,000 veterans are now living in Israel.
The Jerusalem march was attended by government and city officials including Jerusalem Mayor Uri Lupolianski, billionaire philanthropist Arkadi Gaydamak, Absorption Minister Yaakov Edry (Kadima) and Likud Party Chairman and Knesset Opposition Leader Binyamin Netanyahu. The annual march was accompanied by the Israel Police Band.
(Israel News Photo: Flash 90)
Victory in Europe Day (called VE Day) is considered either May 7 or May 8, 1945, depending on the time zone in which the World War II Allies formally accepted the unconditional surrender of the armed forces of Nazi Germany. VE Day marked the end of Adolf Hitler's Third Reich, though Hitler himself had already committed suicide on April 30. The surrender of Germany was authorized by his replacement, German President Karl Dönitz.
The surrender was signed on May 7 in Reims, France, and May 8 in Berlin, Germany.
Hana Levi Julian contributed to this report