Gay community joins Israeli holocaust remembrance

Illustrated rainbow pride flag on a pink background.

The gay community in Israel took part in the country’s holocaust commemorations for the first time.

Holocaust Remembrance day was commemorated over the last two days with wreath laying ceremonies and talks from Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and President Moshe Katsav, at the Yad Vashem memorial museum.

Member from gay group, Jerusaelm Open House, laid a wreath to represnet the gay community at the Warsaw Ghetto rebellion monument in the Holocaust centre which remembers the millions killed by the Nazis.

It is thought that between 5,000 and 15,000 gay people, who were seen as “sexual deviants” were sent to concentration camps and gas chambers, and forced to wear a pink triangle.