DECORATION "RIGHTEOUS AMONG PEOPLES" AWARDED

ZAGREB, May 17 (Hina) - Israeli Ambassador to Croatia Nathan Meron on Tuesday presented medals and plaques "Righteous Among Peoples" to the new Righteous of Croatia. This high Israeli decoration was presented in the Jewish Municipality to Ivan Antunac. The decoration for late Righteous married couple Milica and Franjo Hocenski was received by their son Zeljko. Righteous Darko Loncar received his decoration and the decoration for his late mother Ankica Loncar. Another ceremony will be held in the northern Adriatic city of Rijeka for righteous Veronika-Bela Cargonja. Greeting the present, president of the Jewish Municipality Zagreb and the Coordination of Jewish Municipalities in Croatia Ognjen Kraus reiterated that the "Righteous Among Peoples" decoration could be presented only to non-Jews who, during World War Two saved Jews from Nazi and their associates while putting themselves in immediate danger. So far, the decoration has been presented to about 15,000 people across the world, including 68 Righteous from Croatia. According to Meron, Tuesday's ceremony was of a great moral meaning. Meron reminded of an old Jewish saying, reading; "One who saved a life, saved the world" and added the Righteous offered life and hope to those who knew only of fear and desperation. During one of the darkest periods of human history, personal history of You, the Righteous, is the highest moral standards and inspiration, Meron added. On behalf of the awarded Righteous Ivan Antunac thanked Meron and stressed that the Holocaust was ineraseble stain in the history of humanity. He thanked the families of those he helped during WWII and who arrived from all around the world to be able to attend Tuesday's event. (hina) it jn