Presidents and heads of state are expected to attend the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz at Yad Vashem.
By World Israel News Staff
President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, and other world leaders are expected to attend a commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz at Yad Vashem in January.
The event, organized by Yad Vashem, Israel’s official memorial to victims of the Holocaust, is sponsored by an unnamed donor, according to The Jerusalem Post.
Should Macron attend, this will be his first visit to Israel as French president.
This will be Trump’s second visit to the country since becoming president.
Also invited are German Chancellor Angela Merkel and a newly elected British prime minister. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau might also participate, according to the Post.
It is not yet clear if Russian President Vladimir Putin will attend as Moscow is commemorating the 75th anniversary of the defeat of the Nazis in May. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been invited to attend that event.
The dignitaries are expected to arrive in Israel on January 26 and take part in the World Holocaust Forum at Yad Vashem the following day.
In May, Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin alluded to the event during his speech at the official Holocaust Remembrance Day ceremony at Yad Vashem.
“With the rise in anti-Semitic voices, I have recently approached world leaders to invite them to an international conference that will be held here at Yad Vashem next January, to mark the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz,” Rivlin said.
“Here in Jerusalem, together with presidents and heads of state, we will join forces in the uncompromising fight against anti-Semitism, xenophobia and Holocaust denial.”