Boris Johnson at Yad Vashem: Holocaust “still has lessons for humanity today”
Boris Johnson has spoken about how visiting Yad Vashem helps create understand of the “colossal, vital and historic importance” of defending Israel.
The mayor of London was speaking after signing the guest book at the end of an emotional tour of the memorial museum, which he described as “perhaps even more powerful and shattering” than a previous visit.
He said: “Noone must ever forget the truth of what happened and this museum will help ensure the lessons of that horror stays in our hearts forever. It’s very important we learn and understand because it still has lessons for humanity today.”
He referred to the museum’s layout, which ends with guests emerging from darkness to light with a view over Jerusalem. ‘You understand the colossal, vital and historic importance of creating, ensuring and defending a homeland for the Jewish people,” he said.
Boris sees stars marking Jews out during Shoah @yadvashem. Mayor asking lots of questions, constantly shaking head pic.twitter.com/He2KsZsIEh
— Justin Cohen (@CohenJust) November 10, 2015
A visibly moved Johnson, known for his light-hearted quips and jolly persona, was sullen-faced throughout, often shaking his head and puffing out his cheeks.
“Oh my God,” he exclaimed when hearing from the guide about how Jews were killed before the Gas chambers, later standing in stunning silence when told that 1.1million Jews died at Auschwitz alone. He said it was “to my great shame” he had never visited.
He also viewed a section on the Kindertransport and Kristallnacht, on the anniversary of the attack on synagogues across Germany that served as a warning signal as to what was to come. Throughout the tour, the history expert asked questions from what Yad Vashem means to how Germans react when they do the tour.
He described as a “disaster” the British policy of preventing Jews from entering Palestine after the War, and the resultant consequences.
‘No one must ever forget what happened’: @MayorofLondon‘s message in guestbook at @yadvashem pic.twitter.com/d1KyiPEj7B
— Justin Cohen (@CohenJust) November 10, 2015
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