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Holocaust Day marked at Auschwitz | Holocaust Day marked at Auschwitz |
(40 minutes later) | |
Events are taking place at Auschwitz to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi death camp, as the world marks Holocaust Memorial Day. | Events are taking place at Auschwitz to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi death camp, as the world marks Holocaust Memorial Day. |
Auschwitz survivors and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are among those gathering in Poland, where the camp was built under German occupation. | Auschwitz survivors and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are among those gathering in Poland, where the camp was built under German occupation. |
In Berlin, Israeli President Shimon Peres urged Germany and other countries to pursue Holocaust perpetrators. | |
More than a million people were murdered by the Nazis at Auschwitz. | More than a million people were murdered by the Nazis at Auschwitz. |
The great majority were Jews but they also included Poles, Roma Gypsies and Soviet prisoners of war. | The great majority were Jews but they also included Poles, Roma Gypsies and Soviet prisoners of war. |
The camp was liberated by the Soviet Red Army on 27 January 1945. | The camp was liberated by the Soviet Red Army on 27 January 1945. |
Peres plea | |
At least six million Jews were killed by the Nazis during World War II. | At least six million Jews were killed by the Nazis during World War II. |
Shimon Peres was given a standing ovation by German MPs | |
Addressing Germany's parliament, Israel's president Shimon Peres said some of those who carried out the Holocaust "still live on German and European soil, and in other parts of the world". | |
"My request of you is: Please do everything to bring them to justice." | |
He also recalled leaving his grandfather behind in Poland, when his family moved to Palestine in 1934. His grandfather was later killed by the Nazis - herded into a synagogue with the other Jews of his village, and burned to death. | |
"I remember his poignant embrace. I remember the last words and the order I heard from his mouth: 'My boy, always remain a Jew'," he said. | |
Replica sign | |
Some of those who survived the Holocaust gathered at the site of the Auschwitz and neighbouring Birkenau death camps on Wednesday, despite the cold and the snow. | |
Many had relatives with them. | Many had relatives with them. |
They passed beneath the notorious sign above the entrance, reading "Arbeit Macht Frei", or "Work Makes You Free". | |
The sign is a replica. The original was stolen last month. It has been recovered, in three pieces, but not yet repaired and repositioned. | |
Later Mr Netanyahu was to speak at a commemorative ceremony. | Later Mr Netanyahu was to speak at a commemorative ceremony. |
Poland's President, Lech Kaczynski, was also expected and US President Barack Obama was sending a video message. | Poland's President, Lech Kaczynski, was also expected and US President Barack Obama was sending a video message. |
There has been some controversy over the presence of an Israeli Arab MP, Mohammed Barakeh, in Mr Netanyahu's delegation. | There has been some controversy over the presence of an Israeli Arab MP, Mohammed Barakeh, in Mr Netanyahu's delegation. |
Some Palestinians have criticised him for sympathising with Israel at a time when many Palestinians are suffering. | Some Palestinians have criticised him for sympathising with Israel at a time when many Palestinians are suffering. |
But Mr Barakeh is expected to highlight the Palestinian plight and condemn Israeli policy - drawing condemnation from some Israelis. | But Mr Barakeh is expected to highlight the Palestinian plight and condemn Israeli policy - drawing condemnation from some Israelis. |