Israel to be represented at celebrations of 75th anniversary of Victory in Moscow at high level - ambassador
MOSCOW. Sept 11 (Interfax) - Israel will be represented at a high level at the 75th anniversary of the Victory in WWII celebrations in Moscow on May 9, 2020, Israeli Ambassador to Russia Gary Koren said.
"As for May 9, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier visited Moscow on that day and attended a parade, he and Russian President Vladimir Putin laid down wreaths of flowers to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and he attended the Immortal Regiment. It was a very emotional event. I can confirm that the invitation to Mr. Natanyahu to visit Moscow on the 75th anniversary of the Victory in 2020 has been received and accepted. I am certain that Israel will be present at the May 9, 2020 [celebrations], and if Netanyahu becomes prime minister, he is personally interested in it. Let's wait. We know that many world leaders will visit Moscow in May 2020," the ambassador said in an interview with Interfax.
Israel has huge respect and gratitude to the role of the Red Army in the victory over Nazi Germany, Koren said. "Many WWII veterans live here. There is a monument devoted to the victory of the Soviet Union over Nazis in Netanya, which was unveiled in the presence of Vladimir Putin several years ago. An event devoted to the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz by the soldiers and officers of the Red Army is scheduled to be held in Jerusalem in January 2020. Therefore, it will be a great honor to us if the Russian president can come to Israel. Of course, we have high hopes for that," the ambassador said.
"There is an invitation from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to attend the ceremony to unveil a monument to the victims of the Siege of Leningrad in Jerusalem. It would be wonderful if this monument could be unveiled during Putin's visit. Not only war veterans, but also people who survived the blockade in Leningrad live in Israel," he said.