Anna Chan:
Yesterday, Israel began its observance of "Holocaust Martyrs & Heroes Remembrance Day" with a ceremony at Israel's Holocaust memorial. Let us see how this unfolded.

Hundreds attend the ceremony of "Holocaust Martyrs & Heroes Remembrance Day in Jerusalem. The six-million Jews and millions of others killed by the Nazis are remembered during the ceremony in "Warsaw Ghetto Square".

The Israeli President expresses regret that the modern state of Israel was not formed until after World War Two.

[Shimon Peres, Israeli President]: (male, hebrew)
"What would have happened to the Jewish people if during Hitler's time we had a state with the strength and capabilities similar to the ones we have today? And we could have done things others did not, and refrained from doing. It is possible we were late in establishing our state. We paid a heavy price."

Israel's Prime Minister then spoke of anti-Jewish feelings still existing throughout the world.

[Ehud Olmert, Israeli Prime Minister]: (male, hebrew)
"Still, 63-years after, who would have believed that the ugly head of Jew and Israel hating is being reared on different stages around the world? It still incites, poisons and instigates. Among those is also present the voice of the deniers - those whose grudges are driving them out of their minds. Those, by their mere words, are denying the most terrible horror that humanity has ever known."

This morning at seven am, a siren sounded for two minutes throughout Israel. Today everyone will stop what they are doing to remember the Holocaust.

Approximately 250,000 Holocaust survivors live in Israel today.