The Speaker of the House of Commons is to lead a special ceremony
in Parliament on 22 January for an early commemoration to mark
Holocaust Memorial Day.
The international date on 27 January remembers the six million
Jews murdered during the Holocaust – and the victims of
subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and
Darfur.
This year marks 80 years since the end of the Holocaust, and the
ceremony in Portcullis House, will include testimony from two
survivors of Nazi persecution.
One survivor, Yisrael Abelesz, 96, was just 14-years-old when he
was deported to Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp with his
family. On arrival his younger brother and parents were
immediately taken to the gas chambers and murdered.
‘I didn't realise when my parents and brother were separated from
me that I'd never see them again,' he said.
At the commemoration in Portcullis House, candles will be lit to
commemorate each genocide.
More than 100 people will attend the half-hour service - the
fifth since Sir became Speaker - including
MPs, the Holocaust Memorial Trust, Holocaust Educational Trust,
and chairs of workplace equality groups in Parliament.
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NOTES TO EDITORS:
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This is the fifth time Holocaust Memorial Day has been marked
in this way in the House of Commons - a commemoration
initiated by Mr Speaker
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The ceremony will be opened by Speaker's Chaplain, Canon Mark
Birch, at 0930 on 22 January 2025 in Portcullis House
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Also in attendance will be the three Deputy Speakers, MPs,
plus members of the House service
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Our in-house photographer will take images from the event,
that will be available later that morning
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The palace will be illuminated purple from dusk on 27 January
– the actual date of Holocaust Memorial Day.
