Starmer pays VE Day tribute to two Jewish veterans of Normandy landings
The Prime Minister recalled his meeting with Stanley Fisher and Mervyn Kersch in an op-ed for Metro newspaper
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
Keir Starmer has paid a VE Day tribute to the “harrowing and courageous story” of two Jewish veterans of the Normandy landings.
Writing on why victory in the war was not just a victory for Britain, but also one against “tyranny, hatred and evil” the Prime Minister said:”Take the story of Stanley Fisher and Mervyn Kersch, two Jewish veterans of the Normandy landings.
“I spoke to Mervyn earlier this year, and theirs is a harrowing and courageous story.
“Because Stanley and Mervyn went on to see the horrors inflicted on Jews like them at the Bergen Belsen concentration camp, when it was liberated by British forces.
“It is a powerful reminder that our victory was not just a victory for Britain.”
Offering his thoughts in an op-ed for Metro newspaper the PM added:”It was also a defeat of the assembled forces of tyranny, hatred and evil. Nonetheless, for years after, Stanley and Mervyn were too haunted by the suffering to talk about what they saw.”
In April Jewish News revealed Starmer had sent a letter to the two Jewish veterans who helped liberate Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, writing that he can “only begin to imagine how it must have felt as Jewish men to discover such depravity towards your fellow Jews”. EXCLUSIVE: Prime minister’s salute to Jewish liberators of Bergen-Belsen
The letter was sent ahead of last month’s 80th anniversary of the arrival of Allied troops at the concentration camp
Writing for Metro newspaper on Thursday, Starmer said VE Day was “a moment of national togetherness unparalleled in the story of these islands. ”
He added it was the “greatest victory in the history of this great nation.”
The Prime Minister continued:”Today, 80 years later, we have another chance to mark this momentous occasion. An opportunity to pay our respects once again to the lion-hearted generation that defeated Nazi evil.
“And to give thanks to those who carry the torch of their service in our armed forces today.”
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
