Yahoo News Boris Johnson vows to end ‘virus of anti-Semitism’ at moving Holocaust Memorial Day service
Boris Johnson vowed to stamp out the “virus of anti-Semitism” as he joined the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at a Holocaust Memorial Day ceremony in central London this afternoon.
The Prime Minister and the royal couple were at Central Hall in Westminster for the commemorative service, which marked 75 years since the liberation of the notorious Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp.
Mr Johnson addressed the packed hall during the moving event, held in honour of all victims and survivors of Nazi persecution, as well as subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.
He said: “I feel a deep sense of shame that here in Britain in 2020 we seem to be dealing with a resurgence of the virus of anti-Semitism, and I know that I carry a responsibility as Prime Minister to do everything possible to stamp it out.”
Pledging to ensure the horrors of the Holocaust would never be forgotten, he promised that a national Holocaust memorial and education centre would be built “so that future generations can never doubt what happened”.
“Because that is the only way we can be certain that it will never happen again,” he added.
Prince William also spoke at the service, reading a letter written by a friend of his grandmother, Princess Alice who saved a Jewish family from the Nazis in 1943.
The duke explained how the princess helped the Cohen family, saying: “(She) put a small two-room apartment on the third floor at the disposal of Mrs Cohen and her daughter.
“ It was thanks to the courageous rescue of Princess Alice that the members of the Cohen family were saved.
“The members of the Cohen family left the residence three weeks after liberation, aware that by virtue of the princess’s generosity and bravery had spared them from the Nazis.”
He and wife Kate were joined by survivors of the Holocaust and other more recent genocides in a candle-lighting ceremony.
Together, they lit 75 flames in the hall, signifying the number of years since Auschwitz-Birkenau was finally liberated.
The service was also attended by actors including EastEnders’ Nina Wadia, Judge John Deed’s Martin Shaw and stage star Sir Simon Russell Beale, all of whom gave readings.
Ahead of Monday’s service Olivia Marks-Woldman, chief executive of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, said she was pleased the royal couple had been able to attend the ceremony, alongside members of the UK’s political, civic and faith leadership.
She said: “At a time when we know identity-based hostility is increasing, it is heartening to see so many people stand together, both at the UK ceremony and at more than 10,000 local activities around the country.
“Holocaust Memorial Day is an important opportunity for us all to learn from genocide, for a better future.”
Kate, who took the pictures at Kensington Palace earlier this month, has described the survivors in her portraits as “two of the most life-affirming people that I have had the privilege to meet”.
Meanwhile, the Duchess of Cornwall joined more than 200 Holocaust survivors who returned to Auschwitz-Birkenau to commemorate the anniversary of its liberation.
Camilla was among dignitaries from across the world who attended the service in Poland on Monday afternoon.
The ceremony was held in a tent erected around the camp’s gate house, referred to as the Gate of Death by prisoners.
The duchess led the UK delegation, and was joined by camp survivors Renee Salt, 90, and Hannah Lewis, 82.
Holocaust Memorial Day has taken place in Britain since 2001, with a UK event and more than 10,000 local activities taking place on or around this date each year.
