Jerusalem is preparing for the arrival of nearly 50 world leaders for International Holocaust Remembrance Day. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz Birkenau Nazi concentration camp, where 1.1 mostly Jewish victims were murdered during WWII.
This is the first time in Israeli history that such a high-level gathering is being hosted in Jerusalem. During his weekly cabinet meeting, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu noted the separate talks he is slated to hold with many of the visiting leaders, whom he said will include US Vice President Mike Pence, Russian President Vladimir Putin and French President Emanuel Macron. He added that issues topping the agendas of the talks will be “Iran, various developments in the region and the strengthening of relations between the countries.”
Additional world monarchד, premiers and presidents set to observe this year’s Holocaust Remembrance Day in Jerusalem includes those from Finland, Sweden, Romania, the Netherlands, Germany, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom and Ukraine.
The Israeli leader also underscored the unprecedented achievements that were made since the Jewish people left the death pits of the Holocaust and founded a state. “In these 75 years since the liberation of Auschwitz, our people have made a very long journey,” he said. “We left the death pits and founded our state. We have brought it the best decade in its history, and we are marching it toward unprecedented achievements,” said the longtime Israeli leader, before underscoring that, “However, of course, on this long journey, we will never forget our brothers and sisters who perished in the fires of the Holocaust. It is on their behalf and in their memory that we are working to ensure the continuity of Israel.”