Israel's Cabinet, in its weekly Sunday meeting, discussed anti-Semitism around the world. This, in honor of "International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust," which the United Nations has set for today.

The UN resolution setting January 27 as the date for international remembrance of the Holocaust was passed in November 2005, more than 60 years after the end of World War II.

Israel's Cabinet, in its weekly Sunday morning meeting, will discuss anti-Semitism in the world. Minister Yitzchak Herzog and Jewish Agency Chairman Ze'ev Bielsy will present a government report showing an increase in anti-Semitic incidents in the United States, Germany, Ukraine, and Australia; Great Britain and France continue to lead in anti-Semitic incidents.

The UN-designated day commemorates the six million Jews and countless other victims murdered in the Nazi Holocaust during World War II.  The chosen date, Jan. 27, is the anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration/extermination camp by Allied Russian forces in 1945.

The central ceremony will be held at Auschwitz itself, with the participation of a delegation of Israeli MKs.  Knesset Members Nissim Ze'ev, Stas Misezhnikov, Yoram Marciano, Nissan Slomiansky, Collete Avital, and Meir Porush will take part, together with 30 European Parliament Members.  The MKs are also scheduled to meet with representatives of the Jewish community in Cracow and with the Chief Rabbi of Poland.

On Friday, a ceremony was held in Israel in the Masuah Holocaust Studies Center, with the participation of 60 foreign ambassadors.  Holocaust survivor Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau, Tel Aviv's Chief Rabbi, read aloud a chilling selection of passages from Hitler's will.

At Yad Vashem
In honor of January 27, the Yad Vashem Holocaust Martyrs' and Heroes' Remembrance Authority is initiating an International Youth Congress.  The conference will gather youth leaders from across the globe to meet, converse and make the voice of their generation heard on the subject of shaping Holocaust remembrance and its significance for the future.  The three-day congress at Yad Vashem will deal with the challenges of preserving the memory of the Holocaust in the 21st century, and students will visit the new historical museum at Yad Vashem, meet with Holocaust survivors, and discuss major historical, ethical, educational, and philosophical issues with leading scholars. In addition, the students will explore the multi-cultural city of Jerusalem.

The seminar is planned to conclude with the students drafting a declaration that will strengthen their commitment to Holocaust remembrance, with implications for future generations.  Yad Vashem hopes to hold annual events of this nature.