Israel’s Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Russia’s President Vladimir Putin had a meeting of the minds yesterday, regarding the problem of Nazism—after several days of tension over comments from Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. According to the Kremlin’s readout, the two discussed the significance of the May 9 Victory Day celebrations “for the people of both countries, who carefully preserve the historical truth about the events of those years and honor the memory of all the fallen, including the victims of the Holocaust.... The President of Russia recalled that of the 6 million Jews tortured in ghettoes and death camps and killed by the Nazis during punitive operations, 40% were Soviet citizens.” That translates into 2.4 million Russians. “In turn, Naftali Bennett highlighted the Red Army’s decisive contribution to Victory over Nazism.”
The office of the Israeli Prime Minister accepted the conversation as an apology for the offense they took from Lavrov’s comments, and thanked Putin “for clarifying his attitude towards the Jewish people and the memory of the Holocaust.” Israel has traditionally celebrated the victory of the Nazis every May 9; but, under outside pressure, had announced no national celebration this year. Some locales were thought to still plan to go ahead with their celebrations. Yesterday’s discussion may well expand the numbers.
Today, the Kyiv City Council decided to cancel any celebration of the victory over the Nazis, ostensibly because the Russians might attack a large gathering.
“Kyiv Has Decided Not To Celebrate Victory Day”—”Authorities in Ukrainian capital of Kyiv have decided not to celebrate the Victory Day on May 9, which commemorates the victory over Nazi Germany in 1945, as martial law remains in effect there, the city council said on Friday. ‘The city will not organize festive events on May 9. And while martial law is still being in effect, mass gatherings are prohibited,’ the city council said on Telegram. The city authorities will also step up patrols throughout the Ukrainian capital, however, everybody will be able to lay floral tributes, the council added.”