In Israel, Victory Europe (VE) Day events also focused on Jewish WWII soldiers and partisans.
A ceremony honoring the soldiers and partisans who battled the Nazis during World War II was held Monday night at the IDF Armored Corps memorial in Latrun, west of Jerusalem. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, Finance Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, IDF Chief of Staff Moshe Ya'alon and former minister Natan Sharansky, who was responsible for organizing the ceremony, addressed the 9,000 people in attendance.
The VE Day ceremony, the first of its kind in Israel, singled out the Jewish contribution to the war effort in the Allied armies, in the Jewish Brigade from pre-state Israel, and in the partisan and underground groups throughout Europe and North Africa. Approximately 1.5 million Jewish soldiers fought in the ranks of the Allied regular armies, in underground national resistance movements and in partisan units.
The public officials all thanked the veterans of World War II in the name of the Jewish people for their part in the defeat of the Nazis, who aimed to exterminate the Jews completely.
During his remarks at the ceremony, Prime Minister Sharon announced that the government authorized the creation of the Museum of the Jewish Soldier, to be established in Latrun. Finance Minister Netanyahu announced the establishment of the anniversary of the Nazi defeat as a new official Day of Commemoration in Israel, to be marked every year from this year forward.
Netanyahu went on to say that modern-day Israeli fighters get their strength to face the war waged against the Jewish State from the heroic example set by the WWII veterans. Netanyahu also said that, unfortunately, much of the world has not learned a vital lesson from the war in Europe - that "a fanatical, murderous movement must be crushed" as soon as it becomes a public force. As for the Jewish people, Netanyahu said, the lesson was that Jews must be the guarantors of their own safety. In what was interpreted by some observers as a veil reference to recent government policy to rely on Egypt and the Palestinian Authority to curb Arab terrorism, Netanyahu declared, "We cannot rely on any other entity to protect us." The attendees responded to the declaration with cheers and applause.
Mr. Sharansky delivered part of his address in Russian, for the benefit of the many Red Army veterans in attendance at the Latrun ceremony.
Earlier in the day, World War II Red Army veterans marched in Jerusalem, at the same time as a ceremony was underway in Moscow marking 60 years since the defeat of the Nazis. Many other WWII veterans who fought in other armies joined their former Red Army counterparts, exhibiting the medals granted to them for their valor during WWII. Some of the veterans commented that it was a great day for them, and that they are proud to be able to commemorate the day in Jerusalem, as Israelis, living in their homeland.
In Russia, President Moshe Katsav and his wife, Gila, attended the main VE Day event - a military parade in Moscow's Red Square. Mr. Katsav earlier laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Mr. Katsav said he was attending the ceremonies to express his appreciation to the Red Army, which had filled an important role in the defeat of Nazi Germany and paid a high price in human life. The president noted that half a million Jewish commanders and soldiers fought against the Nazis in the Red Army, with many falling in battle.
A ceremony honoring the soldiers and partisans who battled the Nazis during World War II was held Monday night at the IDF Armored Corps memorial in Latrun, west of Jerusalem. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, Finance Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, IDF Chief of Staff Moshe Ya'alon and former minister Natan Sharansky, who was responsible for organizing the ceremony, addressed the 9,000 people in attendance.
The VE Day ceremony, the first of its kind in Israel, singled out the Jewish contribution to the war effort in the Allied armies, in the Jewish Brigade from pre-state Israel, and in the partisan and underground groups throughout Europe and North Africa. Approximately 1.5 million Jewish soldiers fought in the ranks of the Allied regular armies, in underground national resistance movements and in partisan units.
A medal of bravery awarded to a Jewish member of the Red Army. The dented was caused by shrapnel that was prevented from entering his heart by the medal.
The public officials all thanked the veterans of World War II in the name of the Jewish people for their part in the defeat of the Nazis, who aimed to exterminate the Jews completely.
During his remarks at the ceremony, Prime Minister Sharon announced that the government authorized the creation of the Museum of the Jewish Soldier, to be established in Latrun. Finance Minister Netanyahu announced the establishment of the anniversary of the Nazi defeat as a new official Day of Commemoration in Israel, to be marked every year from this year forward.
Netanyahu went on to say that modern-day Israeli fighters get their strength to face the war waged against the Jewish State from the heroic example set by the WWII veterans. Netanyahu also said that, unfortunately, much of the world has not learned a vital lesson from the war in Europe - that "a fanatical, murderous movement must be crushed" as soon as it becomes a public force. As for the Jewish people, Netanyahu said, the lesson was that Jews must be the guarantors of their own safety. In what was interpreted by some observers as a veil reference to recent government policy to rely on Egypt and the Palestinian Authority to curb Arab terrorism, Netanyahu declared, "We cannot rely on any other entity to protect us." The attendees responded to the declaration with cheers and applause.
Mr. Sharansky delivered part of his address in Russian, for the benefit of the many Red Army veterans in attendance at the Latrun ceremony.
Earlier in the day, World War II Red Army veterans marched in Jerusalem, at the same time as a ceremony was underway in Moscow marking 60 years since the defeat of the Nazis. Many other WWII veterans who fought in other armies joined their former Red Army counterparts, exhibiting the medals granted to them for their valor during WWII. Some of the veterans commented that it was a great day for them, and that they are proud to be able to commemorate the day in Jerusalem, as Israelis, living in their homeland.
In Russia, President Moshe Katsav and his wife, Gila, attended the main VE Day event - a military parade in Moscow's Red Square. Mr. Katsav earlier laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Mr. Katsav said he was attending the ceremonies to express his appreciation to the Red Army, which had filled an important role in the defeat of Nazi Germany and paid a high price in human life. The president noted that half a million Jewish commanders and soldiers fought against the Nazis in the Red Army, with many falling in battle.