In Israel, Holocaust Remembrance Day began on Wednesday night, the eve of 27 Nissan 5772 with the sirens sounding at 20:00. That was followed by a ceremony at Yad Vashem. A two-minute siren sounded Thursday morning at 10:00am, and then the official “Every Man Has a Name” event was held.

On the site of Auschwitz-Birkenau the annual March of the Living is taking place, including 11,000 participants from 35 countries. The event will conclude next week in Israel, as participants arrive to take part in Memorial Day and Independence Day events.

This year, for the first time ever, the Chief of Israel Police was on hand to lead the march. Chief Yochanan Danino is leading participants in the event, telling the Israeli media that he is proud to be in the position to defend the country and its democratic values, speaking of policemen who are moser nefesh to do just that.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)