The Latest: Putin praises Israel for commemorating WWII

JERUSALEM (AP) — The latest on the gathering in Jerusalem of dozens of world leaders for the World Holocaust Forum, which coincides with the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz death camp (all times local):

11:55 a.m.

Russia’s president has praised Israel’s efforts to commemorate World War II and has called for an end to anti-Semitism.

Vladimir Putin made the remarks in a meeting on Thursday with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin.

Putin is among dozens of world leaders visiting Jerusalem to mark the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz death camp. He will also attend a dedication ceremony for a monument honoring the nearly 900-day Nazi siege of Leningrad.

The unresolved remnants of World War II’s politics have permeated the solemn assembly over the differing historical narratives of various players. Nationalist governments in Russia and Poland have sought to use their own interpretation of the past for contemporary political gain.

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11:30 a.m.

Russia’s president has told the mother of an Israeli tourist jailed in Russia that “everything will be alright.”

But Vladimir Putin on Thursday stopped short of a hoped-for pardon for Naama Issachar, teh Israeli backpacker who has been held for months in Russia. She has been accused of carrying a few grams of hashish.

Issachar’s mother, Yaffa, attended a meeting with Putin and Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem. Putin made the remarks in a statement after the meeting, with Yaffa and Netanyahu by his side.

Putin is in Israel on a brief visit where he will attend a dedication ceremony of a monument honoring the nearly 900-day Nazi siege of Leningrad. He will also attend an event marking the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz death camp.

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