Today, CPI Celebration of Victory over Nazis in Red Army Forest

Every year on May 9, the anniversary of Nazi Germany’s surrender to the Soviet Union in 1945, the Communist Party of Israel (CPI) marks the defeat of the Nazi forces at the hands of the Red Army. This year, communists and Hadash activists will hold the annual commemoration of this historic event today (Saturday, May 8), in the Red Army Forest near Jerusalem.

Last year the commemoration was held in accordance with strict Heath Ministry protocols, in contrast to previous years in which hundreds of members of the CPI, Hadash and numerous Red Army veterans attended the event.

CPI General Secretary Adel Amer addresses those attending last year's commemoration of the Victory Day celebration in the Red Army Forest near Jerusalem.

CPI General Secretary Adel Amer addresses those attending last year’s commemoration of the Victory Day celebration in the Red Army Forest near Jerusalem. (Photo: Zo Haderech)

Towards the 76th anniversary of the Nazi surrender, the CPI has issued a call to the public to participate in the Victory Day celebration in the Red Army Forest: “Throughout the 20th century, Communists led the struggle against fascism and racism. We are proud of this struggle and are committed to its humane values, now and in the future. In Israel, the CPI has for many years stood in the forefront of the commemoration of May 9th – Victory Day over Nazi Germany – even during times in which the Israeli establishment chose to completely ignore this decisive event in human history.”

The CPI statement goes on to say, “The Holocaust of the Jews is an inseparable part of the essence of racism and the monstrous practices of fascism. The lesson of the Holocaust is universal and humane. Dealing with it is both a humanistic and a Communist duty. For us, it is also a very contemporary lesson. No people is immune to fascism and racism. These dangers exist in Israeli society as well, and struggling against them obliges us to form, within Israeli society, a broad democratic front of resistance and action.”