JERUSALEM (EJP)---The Simon Wiesenthal Center has criticized the recent celebrations in Estonia to mark the anniversary of the battles between pro-Nazi Estonian forces and the Soviet Army during WWII.

In a letter sent from Jerusalem by its Israel director and chief Nazi-hunter, Efraim Zuroff, to Estonia’s ambassador to Israel Aino Lepik von Wiren, the Center noted the participation of Estonian Minister of Defence Jak Aaviksoo and member of parliament Trivimi Velliste, as well as dozens of foreign neo-Nazis who attended the event.

Zuroff writes in his letter:“We view these events as a glorification of those who fought alongside the forces of Nazi Germany, the regime which planned, initiated and implemented the Holocaust and is responsible for the mass murder of millions of innocent civilians. Thus glorifying those who fought for a victory of the Third Reich is an unpardonable insult to that regime’s many victims and those who fought to save Europe from its tyrannical rule.

“Given these circumstances, we find the participation of Estonian Defense Minister Jak Aaviksoo and MP Trivimi Velliste in these events incomprehensible and worthy of condemnation.”

He stressed that this participation “is totally incompatible with Estonia’s membership in NATO and the European Union.”

"In addition, the fact that these events attracted dozens of foreign neo-Nazis clearly demonstrates the danger that they will encourage the rebirth of fascism and racist extremism," he said.