May 6, 2008 / 1 Iyar 5768

On Wednesday May 7th 2008 at 9:00am in the Plaza outside the Jewish Agency and National Institutions building, 48 King George St., Jerusalem

Special Memorial Day ceremony in memory of those killed in terror attacks against Israeli and Jewish targets and anti-semitic incidents around the world, with the participation of several family members of the victims.

200 Jews have been killed in terror attacks around the world. Lisa and Ilsa, the daughters of the late Leon Klinghoffer, a USA citizen killed by Palestinian terrorists, will light the torch in memory of the victims.

As part of the commemoration of Memorial Day for Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terror, a special ceremony will take place outside the National Institutions building in Jerusalem on Wednesday, May 7th 2008, commemorating those who have been killed in terror attacks and anti-semitic incidents in various places around the world in addition to commemorating the soldiers who have died in Israel's wars and the victims of terror attacks in Israel. A memorial will be put up containing the names of people killed in terror attacks in various places outside of Israel. According to Jewish Agency data, around 200 Jews have been killed in terror attacks around the world.

The ceremony is being organized by the Jewish Agency, the World Zionist Organization, in cooperation with the Jewish National Found, Keren Hayesod and the United Jewish Communities.

In honor of the 60th anniversary of the State of Israel, the Jewish Agency invited the daughters of the late Leon Klinghoffer – Lisa and Ilsa from New York – to come to Israel and participate in the ceremony and to light the torch in memory of those killed. Their wheelchair-bound father was ruthlessly killed by Palestinian terrorists on October 8th 1985 while on a Mediterranean cruise on the Achille Lauro luxury cruise ship and his body tossed into the sea.

Klinghoffer's daughters will accompany the Chairman of the Jewish Agency, Zeev Bielski, at the Memorial Day services on Mt. Herzl and will also attend the 60th Independence Day opening ceremony. They will also be hosted by the American ambassador Richard Jones in the framework of an event organized by the Anti-Defamation League in honor of their parents, and they will visit the Rambam Hospital in Haifa to see a garden planted in memory of their father.

You are invited to cover the memorial event on Wednesday May 7th at 9:00am in the plaza outside the National Institutions building (Jewish Agency building), 48 King George St., Jerusalem.