The Russian Ambassador to Israel, Anatoly Viktorov, together with the President of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress (EAJC), Dr. Michael Mirilashvili, laid a wreath today at the Memorial Candle Monument in Jerusalem to mark the 75th anniversary of the Allies’ victory over Nazi Germany.
Also attending the ceremony were Chairman of the Israeli Union of Residents of Besieged Leningrad, Emilia Larina; Chairman of All-Israeli Union of the Second World War veterans, Abraham Grinzaid; Zeev Elkin, Minister of Jerusalem Affairs, Environment, and Cultural Heritage; Director General of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress, Dr. Chaim Ben-Yaakov; former Knesset member, Leonid Litinetsky, Eyal Haimovsky, CEO of the Jerusalem Development Authority, JNF representatives and other guests of honor.
Speaking at the event, MK Zeev Elkin (Likud) said that, "Unfortunately, not everyone in the world today fully understands the meaning of the victory in World War II. There are still countries that downplay the role of the Red Army in the victory over Nazi Germany. Israel is the only Western democracy where we don’t find such disturbing trends as the demolition of monuments (honoring Red Army soldiers). In fact, we are the only Western country where new memorials are being unveiled. Victory in World War II is a central issue of our common heritage. We are full aware that Israel would not be here today, in the first place, if not for the victory back in 1945."