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The hon. Member highlighted the ongoing rise in antisemitic incidents following the events of October 7th, drawing parallels to Holocaust denial and emphasising the importance of condemning such rhetoric. She quoted Manfred Goldberg, a holocaust survivor, who stressed that the silent support for those who perpetrate or condone antisemitism is what enables evil to flourish.
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It is a pleasure to follow my hon. Friend the Member for West Bromwich East, who gave testimony of what has happened. I thank the right hon. Member for Barking for opening the debate in her customary fashion, reminding us that we should not be comfortable about what happened in the United Kingdom when Jewish survivors arrived. The theme of this year’s Holocaust Memorial Day is “fragility of freedom,” and it is particularly fitting given the global instability today. I declare my interest as co-chairman of the all-party Britain-Israel parliamentary group. Some 79 years on from the end of the holocaust, we still have people persecuting and attacking people based solely on their religion. This is unacceptable, but I am proud that the Government are committed and steadfast in their support for Israel and the wider Jewish diaspora. We must remember the Holocaust survivors' stories, learn their history, and ensure such atrocities never occur again. Antisemitism has a long history dating back to medieval times and increased during economic crises leading up to the Second World War. Hitler used this narrative to gain power in Germany after 1932. The persecution of Jews reached an exponential level on Kristallnacht in 1938. Today, antisemitic hate is surging due to the conflict in Gaza. In my constituency of Harrow East, Jewish communities contribute culturally and economically, and we must fight hatred, not ignite further cultural wars.
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What I struggle with is this: what is it that people hate about Jews? Is it about religion? What is it that has come across the ages? I just do not get it.
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The speaker expressed her feelings about participating in the debate on Holocaust Memorial Day, highlighting the atrocities committed during World War II. She mentioned the scale of evil perpetrated by Nazi Germany against six million Jewish men, women, and children, along with millions more for other reasons such as being gay, Roma, Sinti, disabled or resistance fighters. Theresa Villiers also discussed Britain's approach to its mandate in Palestine, suggesting that a different strategy might have saved many lives from the Nazis. She emphasised the importance of remembering victims amid rising antisemitism and recommended visiting Yad Vashem for understanding the holocaust. Additionally, she referred to the Hamas terror attack on the Nova music festival, comparing it to scenes reminiscent of the Holocaust and condemning Hamas's genocidal intentions towards Israel and Jewish people. The speaker concluded by praising Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis’s article that criticised the misappropriation of the term 'genocide' against Israel.
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Mr Offord discussed his long-standing involvement with Holocaust Memorial Day, noting the ongoing relevance of these events despite initial doubts about their sustainability. He highlighted how antisemitism has escalated in recent years and cited examples from his constituency where Jewish students face hostility at universities due to rising anti-Jewish sentiment. He also shared personal experiences visiting Israel post-7 October terrorist attacks and described graphic scenes witnessed, emphasising the traumatic impact on survivors and communities. Mr Offord reported constituents' concerns about inadequate police responses to antisemitic incidents and highlighted a personal incident of antisemitism he experienced recently.
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The importance of holocaust remembrance and understanding why it matters is something black and white: there is one clear way in which to look at these issues. In an age of increased tension, global flux and the growing influence of those whose very purpose is to foster hatred for others, we need to be ever more clear about the need for “never again” to mean exactly that; but it will not happen without specific and concerted effort.
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It is a great honour to respond to this important debate on behalf of the Opposition. The speaker commends her right hon. Friend for introducing the debate, which focuses on Holocaust Memorial Day and the 79th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. She mentions the importance of remembering the six million Jewish victims murdered by the Nazi regime, as well as other genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia, and Darfur. The speaker highlights the ongoing issue of hate crimes against Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities, LGBT+ people, and an unprecedented rise in antisemitism and Islamophobia. She emphasises the need to educate people about identity-based persecution and to recognise the fragility of freedom, as exemplified by the Nazi regime's eroding freedoms through state power. The speaker pays tribute to local organisers ensuring that young people continue to learn these vital messages, and acknowledges the work of the Holocaust Educational Trust in embedding understanding of the holocaust in education systems since 1985.
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The speaker highlights the theme of this year’s Holocaust Memorial Day, emphasising the fragility of freedom in mature western democracies. He discusses the importance of remembering victims as people rather than just statistics and calls for a muscular defence of cherished values.
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She echoed the sentiments of the Minister and another Member, emphasising that the House is at its best when unity prevails on significant issues. She thanked all Members for their contributions and highlighted the importance of reflecting on the growth of antisemitism and Islamophobia. Hodge shared her experience visiting Kfar Aza, which left a profound impression on her. She concluded by expressing hope for building a society based on tolerance, stressing that hate cannot lead to peaceful co-existence.
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Gale thanked all Members who participated in the debate for their respectful conduct. He expressed confidence that this manner would be appreciated both inside and outside of the House, leading to the successful resolution to consider Holocaust Memorial Day.