Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Holocaust Memorial Day

Monday 16 January 2023 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Holocaust Memorial Day is supported by the Government through the Holocaust Educational Trust and the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust.
  • There are 128 incidents of antisemitism recorded in higher education institutions.
  • The Minister acknowledges the importance of teaching about the bravery of the Righteous Among the Nations who risked their lives to save Jews during the Holocaust.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Daniel Kawczynski Con
Community Security Religion & Faith
Context

The MP is concerned about the current efforts to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day and the increasing incidents of antisemitism in higher education institutions.

Question

What steps her Department is taking to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day in schools. The Government supports the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust and the Holocaust Educational Trust, yet there are 128 incidents of antisemitism in one year in higher education institutions.

Answer from Robert Halfon

Many schools and colleges already mark Holocaust Memorial Day with support from the Holocaust Educational Trust and the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust. There are 128 incidents of antisemitism in higher education institutions, highlighting the importance of such commemorations.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not provide specific steps being taken by the Department to mark Holocaust Memorial Day.

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Q2 Daniel Kawczynski Con
Culture, Media & Sport Religion & Faith
Context

The MP wants to highlight the courage and sacrifices of individuals who saved Jews during the Holocaust, citing an example from his family history.

Question

As well as educating children about the horrors of the holocaust and the second world war, can we take the opportunity to educate children about the tremendous courage, bravery and sacrifices of the Righteous Among the Nations? One example was a member of my family who were shot by the Germans for protecting their Jewish friends and neighbours. We must give them inspiration from the fact that many people made the ultimate sacrifice.

Answer from Robert Halfon

Hear, hear. It was very moving to hear about my hon. Friend's family experience and I agree that we must teach about righteous Gentiles who suffered while saving Jews. A Polish lady named Irena Sendler saved 2,000 Jewish children from the Warsaw ghettos, remembered in a special exhibition at the House of Commons.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not provide specific steps being taken by the Department to include these stories in education.

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