WWII veterans mark VE Day in Jerusalem

The veterans were active duty soldiers in allied armies or fought the Nazis as part of resistance groups during World War II. Some 10,000 WWII veterans currently live in Israel including 4,000 who took part in combat.

"During World War II I was a sniper for a brief period," said veteran Liza Rakovsky. "My late husband Peter who died in Israel served as a male nurse. This event is very moving for me."

Some 10,000 veterans live in Israel (Photo: Artiom Degel)

Rakovsky continued to volunteer even after arriving in Israel. "When I came to Israel before the Yom Kippur War I didn't know a word of Hebrew but when the war was declared the first thing I did was to donate blood."

'We must do more for them' (Photo: Artiom Degel)

(Photo: Gil Yohanan)

(Photo: Gil Yohanan)

(Photo: Gil Yohanan)

(Photo: Gil Yohanan)

The immigration of Jews from the Soviet Union to Israel in the 1990s brought with it many war veterans who are now entitled to benefits from the state.

Immigrant Absorption Minister Sofa Landver said at a ceremony for the veterans Thursday, "We must do more for those who sacrificed their lives. They are the reason we are here today. The Immigrant Absorption Ministry will continue to work for the welfare of veterans not just today but all year long."

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