Good morning and welcome to the Foreign and
Commonwealth Office. I would like to thank those of you
who have helped to organise this event today, in
particular Ambassador Mark Regev and his team at the
Embassy of Israel.
Importance of Holocaust Memorial Day
The Holocaust was one of the darkest periods in our
history. Sometimes we would prefer to forget, because
what happened is too painful to remember. But it is
only by remembering that we can learn from the past and
ensure that history does not repeat itself.
Continuing to raise awareness in this way is essential
because intolerance and hate still afflict our
societies today. Antisemitism in particular is still an
issue. That is why the UK has led the international
community in adopting the International Holocaust
Remembrance Alliance definition of Antisemitism. We
will use it to guide our work and to make clear that
antisemitism has no place in our society.
How Can Life Go On?
The theme of this year’s Memorial Day is “how can life
go on?” It explores the immense obstacles that must be
overcome when rebuilding communities torn apart by
hate. It focuses on the world’s Jewish communities
after the Second World War, but it is a theme that
remains highly relevant today.
Today’s event will focus in particular on antisemitism.
I believe that the value of remembering the Holocaust
comes when we think about the conditions that allowed
such horrors to prevail. When we recall it was the
existence of widespread antisemitism across Europe,
that meant the Nazis’ desire to purge society of anyone
who did not fit their ideal found fertile ground. When
we reflect on what we might possibly have done in the
same circumstances. And when we examine our own
prejudices and seek to combat them, and to prompt
others to do likewise.
This year’s theme reminds us that, even as the world’s
Jewish communities began to rebuild their shattered
lives, they continued to suffer antisemitic attacks.
Shockingly, there were a number of pogroms immediately
after the Holocaust, for example one in Poland where 42
Jews were murdered. Sadly, even today we cannot declare
that antisemitism has been defeated. We all of us need
to be vigilant in standing up against it.
That is why I am delighted that we are joined today by
inspirational individuals who have dedicated their
lives to raising awareness about the causes and
consequences of the Holocaust.
Professor Yehuda Bauer is the author of the Stockholm
Declaration and has worked tirelessly to ensure that
the world remembers the Holocaust and learns lessons
from it.
Dorit Oliver-Woolf survived the Holocaust and went on
to enjoy a successful musical career. She has dedicated
her life to educating others about the Holocaust.
We will also hear from Dr Dave Rich of the Community
Security Trust, and from our Young Ambassadors from the
Holocaust Educational Trust, Iqra Arshad and Toni-Ann
Cover.
Conclusion
I would now like to invite Ambassador Regev to the
podium, to introduce Professor Bauer. While he makes
his way up, I will conclude using the words of the
Stockholm Declaration:
Our commitment must be to remember the victims who
perished, respect the survivors who are still with us,
and reaffirm humanity’s common aspiration for mutual
understanding and justice.
Thank you.
