Israel honors World War II vets

Israel honored Jewish veterans of World War II Allied forces. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Absorption Minister Ze’ev Boim hosted a Knesset reception Wednesday for immigrants who served with Soviet forces against Nazi Germany.”You are a living heritage of one of the most dramatic and significant chapters in the history of the Jewish people – not just the chapter of the Holocaust but the chapter of heroism, and not just the losses but also the revival,” Olmert said. “Two hundred and fifty thousand Jews gave their lives as Allied fighters in the effort to defeat the Nazis. I am very pleased that I can host here those who were partners in this struggle and who are living here in the State of Israel.”