A small group of around a dozen Holocaust survivors from Israel will join this year’s March of the Living memorial event in Poland, after the war with Iran forced organizers to cancel the Israeli delegation, which numbered some 1,500 people.

The participating Holocaust survivors, aged 90-100, will travel to join thousands of others from around the world as they march from Auschwitz to the Birkenau camp, the March of the Living organization said in a statement Sunday.

Two weeks ago, march organizers announced that the Israeli delegation would not be able to join the event due to sharp restrictions on air travel and safety concerns as Iran rained down missiles on Israeli cities during the ongoing war at the time. A shaky ceasefire between Israel, the US, and Iran was reached last week, bringing the attacks to a halt.

Each year that passes, concern grows over the dwindling number of Holocaust survivors still alive to tell their stories.

The statement said that participation by the Holocaust survivors was made possible due to contributions from 26 high-tech companies and venture capital funds, which stepped in to help.

“The recent war with Iran was further evidence that the State of Israel must stand firm. Despite the limitations imposed by the war, the delegation will march in Poland and instill in us the spirit of pride and victory,” said Shmuel Rosenman, chair of the International March of the........

© The Times of Israel