Latvia

Latvia, Lithuania, offering restitution for Holocaust survivors

In a shift, Latvia and Lithuania are paying Holocaust survivors and heirs for their stolen property.

Latvia:

Using technology, researchers identify mass grave from Holocaust

Holocaust gravesites identified in Latvia and Netherlands using contemporary technology.

Latvian government endorses IHRA definition of antisemitism

National action plan will enshrine preventative measures against antisemitism into legal code.

Latvian President makes first official visit to Israel

Pres. Herzog welcomes Pres. Egils Levits of the Republic of Latvia, emphasizing shared values, promises work on dual-nationality agreement.

Latvia demolishes Soviet statue commemorating victory over Nazis

Concrete obelisk commemorating Soviet victory over Nazis during World War II taken down as response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Latvia commemorates Jewish genocide memorial day

Day to remember the 70,000 Latvian Jews murdered during the Holocaust takes place in Latvia.

'I thought a Jew was a profession and the Bible, fairy-tales'

Read the incredible story of Benjamin and Leah, from atheist Latvia to Israel as Jews.

Latvia’s parliament passes Holocaust restitution bill

Bill includes compensation for lost Jewish property and funding to revitalize the country's Jewish community.

Latvian Holocaust museum in danger of bankruptcy

A Holocaust museum in Latvia has announced that it no longer has enough visitors to keep operating.

Latvia to compensate Jews for property lost during the Holocaust

Vote in principle in Latvia's parliament allocates 40 million euros over 10 years for property compensation.

Belgium: Town to rename square honoring Nazi collaborators

After controversy, Belgian town square to remove references to Latvian Nazi collaborators.

After rent hike, Holocaust museum in Latvia could close

The Riga Ghetto Museum is facing possible closure after the city’s government decided to begin charging it about $12,000 in rent per month.

New Latvia president vows to tackle 'illness' of inequality

President Egils Levits sworn in Monday, says Latvia splitting in two because of income inequality.

Son of Jewish engineer elected president of Latvia

Egils Levits, 63, elected by a majority of 61 lawmakers out of 100 in the Latvian parliament

Latvia to get Jewish president?

Ex-Soviet dissident Egils Levits favored to become Baltic state's next president.

Hundreds march with Nazi SS veterans in Latvia

Latvians march in remembrance of soldiers who fell in the service of the Nazi SS, claiming Latvian soldiers took no part in atrocities.

Youths smash dozens of headstones in Serbian Jewish cemetery

Serbian youth jump fence, smash headstones, in Jewish cemetery.

Latvian president admits local complicity in Nazi atrocities

Latvian president Raimonds Vejonis attended a memorial ceremony at a Holocaust mass murder site near Riga and admitted local complicity.

Killer beaver takes man hostage in Latvia

The unusual ordeal of a local man bitten into submission by a hostile rodent, and rescue workers who thought he was totally pranking them.

Latvian Nazi Compatriots March in Riga

Wiesenthal Center decries 'distortion of history' at march of Latvian veterans, noting many 'participated in the mass murder of Jews.'

Latvian Nazi Musical Stirs Jewish Outrage

The Jewish community of Latvia has come out in protest of the musical 'glorifying' Nazi Herbert Cukurs, known as the 'Butcher of Riga'.

Israel Condemns Latvia's 'Butcher of Riga' Musical

Herberts Cukurs took part in Nazi atrocities against Latvia's Jews - now the country is turning a 'heinous criminal to cultural hero.'

Latvian Nursery School: We're Free of Jews

A nursery school in Latvia owned by anti-Semitic politician posted a sign stating it was “Judenfrei” (free of Jews).

Latvians Who Fought with Nazis Hold Annual March

Latvians who fought on the Nazi side against the Soviets stage a march in Riga. Simon Wiesenthal Center director condemns the parade.

Latvian Minister Fired Over Attendance in Pro-Nazi March

Latvia's environment minister fired for planning to take part in a march by veterans who sided with the Nazis in World War II.

Peres Politely Asks Europe to Step Out of Mideast Affairs

President Peres politely suggested the EU step out of Mideastern affairs while talks are on between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

Latvia’s President Avoiding Holocaust Memorial with Pres. Peres

Latvian President Andris Berzins is avoiding participating in a Holocaust memorial with Pres. Shimon Peres during his visit to Latvia

Latvia Opens Museum Dedicated to Jewish Painter

A museum dedicated to painter Mark Rothko opens in his Latvian hometown, a century after he left and found fame in the U.S.

Former MK Marina Solodkin has Died

Russian-Israeli politician and former MK for Likud and Kadima found dead in Latvia hotel.

Clinton Urges Latvia to Resolve Jewish Property Restitution

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urges Latvia to resolve the restitution of pre-World War II Jewish property “quickly and fairly.”

Latvian Minister Resigns Over Holocaust Restitution Blunder

Latvian Justice Minister was forced to resign his position, following his controversial claims that Holocaust restitution policy is biased

Nazi March Banned in Latvian Capital

Latvian President: troops cannot be held responsible for murder of Jews during WWII; march banned to prevent "threats to public security."

Russian Party Latvian Winner

Russian Ethnic Party Tops Latvia Vote but Can't Form Government

The party representing the Russian minority in Latvia was the major winner in a low turnout election but cannot form a government.

Lieberman in Latvia, Condemns Nazi March

Foreign Minister, in Riga, has warm words for Latvia but says right-wing marches should not be tolerated.

Latvians Commemorate Nazi Conquest

An official march was held in Latvia on Thursday commemorating the Nazi conquest of the country 69 years ago.