MPs fall silent marking the day 80 years ago when the Commons was told of the Holocaust
House falls quiet for “tribute to all those who suffered at the hands of the Nazis”, witnessed by seven survivors.
MPs have observed a one-minute silence in the House of Commons to mark the 80th anniversary of the declaration on the persecution of the Jews.
The declaration is described by the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust as the first public announcement by the British government on the Nazis’ attempt to murder Europe’s Jewish population.
The declaration took place on December 17, 1942, and reports from the time say that in response, MPs rose spontaneously and stood for a moment in silence.
Marking the anniversary in the Commons chamber on Thursday were both Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, alongside other MPs, including the entire shadow cabinet.
Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle told the House that seven survivors of the Holocaust were present in the gallery to witness the commemoration, alongside representatives of Britain’s Jewish community and the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust.
He said:”Today, we are honoured to be joined in the Gallery by seven survivors of the holocaust, representatives of Britain’s Jewish community and the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust.
“As an exception, and because this is such a poignant moment, I have agreed that the Parliamentary Broadcasting Unit and our House of Commons photographer can capture images of them here today.
“To remember that important moment, and as a tribute to all those who suffered at the hands of the Nazis, I now invite the House to join me for a minute of silent reflection.”
Amongst the survivors at the unique and emotional ceremony was Mala Tribich MBE.
The names of all seven survivors were read out in the Commons later by Penny Mordaunt, the Leader of the House.
The government’s independent antisemitism adviser Lord Mann was also in attendance.
Sir Lindsay described it as an “important moment” and a “tribute to all those who suffered at the hands of the Nazis”.
He said: “Before we start our business, I wish to invite the House to commemorate a tragic and sombre event.
“On December 17, 1942, 80 years ago on Saturday, the then foreign secretary, Anthony Eden, read to the House a declaration issued by the wartime allies, condemning the treatment of Jewish people by the Nazis in occupied Europe.
“The declaration followed a diplomatic note sent to the allied powers a week earlier by the Polish foreign minister in exile, the first official report that the Holocaust was under way.
“The evil acts described in the declaration were and remain difficult to comprehend.”
Mordaunt later told MPs:”It was an historic moment to mark the 80th anniversary of the first time the House heard about what we now know as the holocaust.
“Because of that, I hope you will allow me just to put the names of the survivors who joined us today on record.
“Thank you to Mala Tribich MBE, Steven Frank BEM, Dr Alfred Garwood, John Hajdu MBE, Joan Salter MBE, Dr Martin Stern MBE and Yvonne Bernstein. I also thank the Holocaust Educational Trust and the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust for their work.”
For the Liberal Democrats Wera Hobhouse said she wished to pay her “respect to the survivors of the holocaust who came to Parliament this morning.”
She added:”Although I was not alive at the time, the shame will never leave me that these atrocities were committed by the country of my origin.”
Journalists were not allowed in the press gallery to observe the silence, but the moment was captured on Parliament’s broadcasting system.
Hoyle later tweeted he was “honoured to welcome seven survivors of the Holocaust and representatives of Britain’s Jewish community to Speaker’s House”.
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