ZAGREB: TRADITIONAL REMEMBRANCE DAY FOR VICTIMS OF HOLOCAUST

ZAGREB, April 9 (Hina) - Jom ha-Shoa - Remembrance Day of six million innocent Jewish victims killed during the Nazi reign of terror in World War II in the period between 1941 and 1945 was traditionally marked at the Monument of Moses at Zagreb's Mirogoj Cemetery Tuesday.#L# Honours were paid to the heroes and victims of the greatest pogrom in the long history of the Jewish nation which is known by Jews as the Shoa - or great tragedy - by members of the Jewish community and citizens of Zagreb as well as Croatian Government representatives, Zagreb City officials and the diplomatic corps and other religious community representatives. In keeping with tradition, six candles were lit at a commemoration in honour of six million Jews. The main prayer was celebrated by head Rabi for Croatia, Kotel Da-Don. Reefs were laid and amongst them was a reef from Croatian President Stjepan Mesic. Reflecting on significant events that the Jewish community has experienced in Croatia since the last commemoration, the president of the Jewish Municipality in Zagreb and the co-ordinator of the Jewish Councils of Croatia, Ognjen Kraus paid particular reference to a book by Iva and Slavko Goldstein entitled "The Holocaust in Zagreb". As far as the future of the Jewish Community in Croatia is concerned, Kraus said that the development and realisation of its plans "are being hampered by the problem of the repossession of confiscated Jewish property that resulted with several waves of nationalisation". Kraus reflected on the current situation in Israel stating that "Jews in Croatia are following the situation in fear and concern as the likelihood of peace decreases". He forwarded a message on behalf of the small Jewish community in Croatia, saying that the problem between the Jews and the Palestinians in Israel "should be resolved reasonably and with agreement without terrorism and revenge". (hina) sp sb