Ambassador Neil Bush marks International Holocaust Remembrance
Day, and stresses the need to stand against antisemitism in all
its forms.
"Thank you Mr Chair, thank you Ambassador Ann Bernes, for your
introductory comments, and your work as President of
International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA).
Tomorrow we will mark International Holocaust Remembrance Day, to
remember and honour the lives of the six million Jewish men,
women and children as well as, Roma, Sinti and others who lost
their lives at the hands of the Nazi regime during World War
II. This was one of the darkest moments in human history.
The UK’s theme for this year highlights the role of “ordinary
people” - as perpetrators, victims, and rescuers. These people
actively had choices to make – whether or not to perpetrate
genocide; whether or not to stand by and actively ignore what was
going on around them. There were those who took a stand against
hatred, by coming forward to help those in need – whether by
hiding people, providing food, or helping people to escape.
They were ordinary people too… doing extraordinary things. It
remains an extraordinary and uplifting fact that ordinary people
in Denmark managed to save almost all of their countries Jewish
populations. They were hidden in churches, hospitals and
family homes, and spirited to coastal towns, from where they
were taken to safety in Sweden. Sadly, there were also many who
stood by silently and did nothing.
We will soon reach a point when the march of time means that the
Holocaust will no longer be part of our living history.
With that comes a growing concern about the rise of Holocaust
denial and distortion – recasting history to erase the
devastating horrors faced by the Jewish people. We have a
duty to remember them and keep their testimony alive for future
generations.
Holocaust distortion feeds the despicable scourge of
antisemitism, which has no place in any society. We must
continue to stand against it in all its forms, and to reject any
attempts to deny the facts of the Holocaust. History is too
important to be politicised.
We will continue to drive international efforts to promote
Holocaust education, and counter Holocaust denial and distortion
when the UK takes the Chairpersonship of IHRA in
March 2024. To ensure we never forget the horrors, or forget the
hard lessons we learnt – the UK has committed to building a new
national Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre in London,
expected to open in 2027.
As we mark this poignant day, Mr Chair and the six million people
who were not saved during World War II – let us reflect. Let us
remember. And let us never forget.
Thank you."
