Seven Austrians who helped save Jews from the Nazis during World War II were honored last night, one posthumously, by Israeli Ambassador Michael Simon during a reception for Israel’s 19th Independence Day celebration. The Austrian honored posthumously was Anton Schmid, a sergeant who was executed by the Nazis for helping Jews in the Vilna Ghetto.
The Austrians each were presented with a medal from the Yad Vashem, the Israeli center for the documentation of the Nazi holocaust. Chancellor Josef Klaus attended the reception.
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