Brooklyn Holocaust survivors spent Wednesday afternoon with visiting Mission of Israeli army veterans wounded in the line of duty.

Mission leader Arale Wattenstein says there's a direct line between the survivors and the country he fought to protect. He explains that Israel was established in the aftermath of the horrors of the Holocaust, and its survivors were instrumental to Israel's founding.

"We kind of feel we continue the heritage of them; what they created and built," says Wattenstein.

The lunch was organized by the SelfHelp Community Services, which helps Holocaust survivors throughout Brooklyn.

Before their trip to the United States, the Israeli veterans also met with wounded United States veterans at the 9/11 memorial.

The Israeli veterans are scheduled for a tour of Williamsburg and will return to Israel early next week.