Rt. Hon Sajid Javid MP praised the work of the Holocaust Educational Trust and called on people to stop making “glib comparisons” of the Holocaust and other events.
On Wednesday 18th January, Rt. Hon Sajid Javid MP praised the work of the Holocaust Educational Trust and called on people to stop making “glib comparisons” of the Holocaust and other events.
At a Holocaust Educational Trust reception to mark the launch of the English translation of ‘A Long Night’ - the memoirs of Holocaust survivor Ernst Bornstein which have been translated by his daughter Noemie Lopian - the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government talked about the importance of fighting antisemitism and to “make a scene” when it appears in everyday life, be it on person or on social media.
Guests also heard from Lord Daniel Finkelstein, who hosted the event and paid tribute to Noemie’s years of work and for keeping her father’s memory alive, and Karen Pollock, Chief Executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust. Guests included Members of Parliament, Peers, Holocaust survivors and supporters of the Holocaust Educational Trust.
Ernst Bornstein was 18 when the Nazis occupied Poland and the family were forced from their homes and into a ghetto. He went on to survive 7 concentration camps before being sent on a Death March at the end of the war. He was finally liberated by American forces in Bavaria on 30th April 1945.
Rt. Hon Sajd Javid MP said: "We have to call out bigotry and racism when we see it. We have to object when a line is crossed from legitimate debate to smears and abuse. We have to push back when people lazily reach for glib comparisons that belittle what happened… calling those we disagree with 'Nazis' or claiming someone’s actions are “just like the Holocaust”. Ultimately, we have to be prepared to do that most un-British of things – we have to make a scene. Maybe that’ll be in private. Maybe in the media. Maybe on Twitter. In fact it could be anywhere from the top deck of a bus to right here in Parliament. What’s certain is that if we don’t speak out against hatred and anti-Semitism it will become normalised. It will become part of everyday life. And once that happens, the consequences will be tragic."
Karen Pollock said: "Too often we have to remind people not to use Holocaust language or imagery simply because it's the easy 'go to' reference point. Too often we have to highlight deliberate abuse and misuse of the Holocaust to score a political point. Language matters. Actions matter. And doing nothing has consequences. If there is one thing that resonates with the young people we work with - be it through hearing Holocaust survivor testimony or seeing Auschwitz with their own eyes - it's the responsibility not only to remember, but the responsibility to make a positive difference today. This speech could not be more poignant or welcome."
Click here to read Rt. Hon Sajid Javid MP's full speech.
Click here to read Noemie Lopian's full speech.