We must fight to ensure Holocaust Memorial Day is not abused or deflected
Holocaust Memorial Day is an essential tool to combat antisemitism: efforts from some quarters to appropriate it must be confronted and pushed back
Holocaust Memorial Day this year unfolded against a deeply unsettling backdrop. The terrorist attack at Heaton Park Synagogue served as a brutal reminder that violence against Jews is not a relic of the past but a contemporary threat. This has been further emphasised with the heart-breaking scenes at Bondi Beach and the foiling of an attack against the Greater Manchester Jewish community that, if successful, would have likely been the largest terrorist atrocity ever committed on British soil. That is precisely why Holocaust Memorial Day matters as an exercise in learning from the past but to also emphasise where unchecked hatred can lead.
In that context, I commend the exemplary leadership displayed by Sir Sajid Javid since becoming Chair of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust. His firm commitment to not allowing the memory of the Holocaust to become distorted or diluted is more important than ever. The firm and unequivocal statement that the tragic conflict in Gaza should not be referenced in this context matters. We cannot accept the memory of those murdered by the Nazis to be abused by those seeking to score political points. I commend our Chief Executive, Marc Levy for walking out of the ceremony in Bolton when this comparison was made.
Few experiences are as powerful as being in the presence of Holocaust survivors. I had the privilege of being in a room with several survivors at the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust Parliamentary Dinner. One feels a proud sense of humility listening to those who endured the worst of humanity yet continue to bear witness with dignity. We are perilously close to losing first hand testimony and this was emphasised by those in the room. Therefore, the work of our Holocaust Education charities is vitally important.
Holocaust Memorial Day is essential as a tool for fighting antisemitism as it continues to surge across society. Antisemitism has become brazen and violent as Jews once again question their futures in Europe. I witnessed Wes Streeting MP, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care speak powerfully about the greatest danger being not only the perpetrator but the bystander. History is unequivocal on this point, as Jews cried out for help, sought sanctuary – and were largely ignored. It was spoken about how the Holocaust did not happen solely because of those who carried out the atrocities but because of those who averted their eyes from what was happening in front of their eyes.
During the evening, I had the pleasure of being introduced to Joani Reid MP. Joani is the Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group to Combat Antisemitism and as someone who is not Jewish, she is the epitome of the solidarity we have been craving. I am grateful for her bravery and principles in publicly calling out several of her Parliamentary colleagues who attend Holocaust Memorial Day ceremonies whilst simultaneously advocating in a manner that most Jews consider antisemitic. The overt hypocrisy of those who have helped legitimise hostility towards Jews whilst using the memory of the Holocaust as moral absolution is obvious and pernicious to anyone.
So, whilst we have established the need for such a day and the lessons our young people should learn around the importance of tolerance and fighting prejudice, we need to guard this space. I attended a Holocaust Memorial Day commemoration and for the first half it was meaningful and thought provoking. However, halfway through, it started presenting on issues that did not even have a tenuous link to the Holocaust and it seemed to me to be an intentional deflection from the core message of Holocaust Memorial Day. This troubled me greatly. Greater scrutiny of the content shared at the various ceremonies is needed.
It is troubling that schools marking this day has fallen sharply over the last two years. Jews are such a minority that we require support from schoolteachers to use the carefully choreographed materials to influence young people about what is right and wrong. So next year, I urge all those from outside of our community to not stand aside whilst antisemitism poisons society. Be brave and engage with one of the multitude of organisations who operate in the Holocaust education arena. By taking this step, you will have a positive influence on how young people see the world. Don’t be bullied by those who find this subject matter too difficult or worry that you will suffer abuse from parents who object to this focus. It speaks volumes about the political positioning of those protesters who try to subvert the narrative here. Schools need to be strong and have the moral courage to stand up to those naysayers and dare I say be a strong bastion of true educational openness and learning as opposed to cowardice.
Mark Adlestone OBE is the Chairman of the Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester and Region
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