JERUSALEM — This year’s Holocaust Remembrance Day commemoration here focused on the contribution of Holocaust survivors to the state of Israel.
The observances, which began Wednesday night with a torch-lighting ceremony at the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem, come a week before Israel’s 50th anniversary.
Speaking at the Yom HaShoah ceremony, President Ezer Weizman talked about the survivors’ struggle when they immigrated during the chaotic years of the founding of Israel. “The survivors did not speak of what they underwent, but focused on learning the language and fitting in.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech referred to Israel’s Holocaust survivors, whom he termed heroes.
“Sitting here among us are survivors, resistance fighters, who are survivors, not just today, but every day, in the towns, cities and kibbutzim around Israel. With their help, we built a strong and prosperous country,” he said.