Israel commemorated today Jewish martyrdom and heroism of World War II. It was the country’s official Day of Remembrance of the 6,000,000 Jews who were exterminated or who fought to their deaths under the Nazi regime.
At 8 a. m., sirens signalled throughout the country. All traffic halted. Flags atop public buildings were run to half-mast. Memorial services got under way in cities, towns, kibbutzim and garrisons. Parades formed, led by black-draped flags of Israel.
President Izaak Ben Zip, Prime Minister David Ben Guion and other members of the Israel Government attended services here. Throughout the country, the people mourned. All entertainments had been cancelled, there were no motion picture showings or any other theatrical performances in accordance with the Chief Rabbinate’s proclamation calling for a black-out on theatrical performances. Instead of theatricals, there were educational programs in all schools, informing the populace–especially the young–about the holocaust in which 6,000,000 Jews perished.
CRIPPLED VICTIMS OF NAZIS, WAR VETERANS IN TEL AVIV PARADE
The thousands who marched down the principal thoroughfare of Tel Aviv today in the beginning of the observance of memorial day for the 6,000,000 Jewish victims of Hitlerism walked slowly to accommodate the crippled and the lame among them.
The marchers were members of Nazi victims organizations and veterans of World War II. Many struggled along with the aid of one or two crutches. The procession was headed by men carrying black-draped Israel flags at half-mast. The procession was watched by Tel Aviv residents in absolute, reverent silence. Marchers carried banners which read “Eternal Glory to Kendos” (the sanctified) and “Heroes of the Holocaust.”
Participating in the march were representatives of the various armies which had fought the Nazis, including those of Poland, the Soviet Union, Britain, the United States, Bulgaria, Greece, France and Lithuania. Representatives of Fighters of the Forests and Fighters of the Jewish Brigade also took part, all decorated with medals of honor.
The procession marched to the Cultural Hall of Tel Aviv to hear commemorative speeches by Mayor Chaim Lebanon, Chief Rabbi Ulsterman and Arieh Kubovy, Yad Vashem Commissioner.
A similar parade took place in Haifa at which Mayor Abba Khoushi spoke. Members of the Kibbutz Ghetto Fighters headed that parade.
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