Ministry prepares for huge delegation to mark International Holocaust Day • "The largest political event in the history of Israel" • Leaders visit Yad Vashem

• Hundreds of journalists will be surveyed from around the world. Yad Vashem // Photo: Oren Ben Hakon

In the next month, an air train of about 40 leaders from around the world is expected to arrive in Israel to attend International Holocaust Day ceremonies, and the Foreign Ministry is preparing for the largest logistics operation ever.

Among the events will be the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz Extermination Camp, the presidents of Russia, Germany, Italy, France and Georgia, the kings of Spain, the Netherlands and Iceland, a long line of prime ministers and probably US Vice President Mike Pence. The leaders will attend two central ceremonies. To be held on January 22 and 23 at the Yad Vashem and President's House, many of which are also expected to hold policy meetings and even tour the country.

Holocaust Day - "Every Man Has a Name" // Photo Archive: Ami Shamir

Unlike the funerals held for Yitzhak Rabin and Shimon Peres, who also reached dozens of senior figures from around the world, this time, most of the guests will spend at least one night in Israel, making the operation ever bigger and more complicated.

On Monday, the Foreign Ministry headquarters held a preparatory meeting with representatives of Yad Vashem, the President's House, the Israeli police and the Jerusalem Municipality, detailing the tasks. "This is an operation that captivates the vast majority of foreign ministry workers, who during their stay will leave their positions and be placed to accompany the many delegations," says Galit Cohen, director of the Foreign Ministry's ceremony.

The operation will begin on January 22, the day most of the leaders arrive on private flights, and will take about 48 hours until most of them leave. Each head of state will be assigned a diplomat who will welcome the delegation and head it from the moment the plane stops at Ben Gurion Airport, and will accompany it until the end of the visit. "Beyond the central ceremonies attended by all the leaders, each delegation is given a special visit plan according to her request and needs. In many cases, our ambassadors in those countries will also come to Israel and accompany the visit, "Cohen adds.

About 600 official guests

The list of leaders to come has not yet been finalized, but it is estimated that there will be 15 escorts for all heads of state and a total of 600 official guests. This is apart from the American delegation whose composition and size is yet to be determined. With great efforts, the Foreign Office managed to find enough suites in Jerusalem hotels to accommodate all the guests.

The special events were initiated by President Reuben Rivlin who is their official host. On arrival, 40 delegations will attend a dinner held at the President's House, and Rivlin will also hold a marathon party meeting with the leaders.

The main ceremony will be held the next day, with all the leaders taking part and holding at Yad Vashem. Some guests are expected to make a speech at this event and all will lay a memory wreath. To this end, a huge tent will be set up to accommodate all guests. In addition, a communications center will be set up at Yad Vashem for hundreds of journalists from around the world.

"There are a lot of preparations for the event," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Lior Hayat. "These days, meetings are being held with the ambassadors of states whose leaders will come to understand what logistics and other needs are, including food and accommodation arrangements. There are field trips and coordinations with Ben Gurion Airport. It is the largest political event in the history of the country. "

"Historical significance"

The Foreign Ministry intends to present the story of the birth and establishment of International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Israel's Ambassador to Rwanda, Ronnie Adam, was a diplomat in the Israeli delegation to the UN in 2005. Out of a sense of commitment to his Holocaust survivor mother, Adam initiated a decision at the General Assembly that after a great deal of diplomatic effort was adopted by a large majority.

Foreign Ministry Director Yuval Rotem told Israel Today that "the intensity of the event is derived from the senior level that it deserves. We are not accustomed to an international event, and certainly not of such magnitude as that held in Israel, which marks a significant date in the history of the Jewish people. For us, this is another aspect of constantly raising international attention to the problem of anti-Semitism. Its strength cannot be ignored in so many places in the world, on the far right, on the far left, and on the extreme Islam. More and more states are realizing that they are committed to doing what they can to prevent the outbreak. "

Foreign Minister Israel Katz added, "There is historical significance and special political significance for holding such a high-profile event in Jerusalem. Her face. "