Holocaust Memorial Day, 27 January 2025
The context around Holocaust Memorial Day this year is especially poignant. It marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, where more than one million Jews were systematically murdered under Nazi Germany’s campaign to eradicate Europe’s Jewish population. It also falls on the 30th anniversary of the genocide in Bosnia, where more than 8,000 Muslim men and boys were murdered.
Holocaust Memorial Day serves as a solemn reminder of the atrocities committed and the importance of standing together against hatred and intolerance in all forms.
This year, it falls in the wake of significant geopolitical developments, with Israel and the internationally recognised terrorist group, Hamas, agreeing to a ceasefire deal which effectively suspends the 15-month war. The conflict followed the Hamas terror attack in Israel on 7 October 2023, which saw the brutal murder and torture of more than 1,200 innocent Jews, including women and children, and the abduction of 251 Jews, many of whom are still in captivity. The attack by Hamas was the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust and has resulted in a brutal conflict in Gaza.
The impact of that conflict has been acutely felt around the world.
Home Office statistics, published in October 2024, showed that whilst there was an overall decrease by 5 percent in hate crimes recorded in the UK, there was a 25 percent increase in religious hate crimes compared with the previous year. The Home Office attributes this increase as being driven by a rise in hate crimes against Jews and to a lesser extent, Muslims, following 7 October.
Less than a year ago I stated that Britain needed to face up to antisemitism or risk increasing rates of radicalisation. Racism and hatred do not always lead to genocide, but all genocides begin with insidious stages including othering, dehumanisation, and propaganda.
In this context, social media platforms such as X, formerly known as Twitter, have been willingly exploited by extremists who seek to stir up hatred and divide communities by spreading graphic content and mis/disinformation.
The resulting consequences have been evident, including the parading of the Swastika and the glorification of Hamas during marches in London. More recently, the Metropolitan Police questioned Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnell, former Labour politicians associated with an increase of antisemitism within the political party, who were part of a rally that reportedly breached conditions imposed on the event.
Footage from the same rally showed protestors targeting a Synagogue – a clear act of intimidation.
Holocaust Memorial Day ensures we reflect on the lessons of the past. During a recent visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau, Sir Keir Starmer said the Holocaust “took a collective endeavour by thousands of ordinary people who each played their part in constructing this whole industry of death” and reiterated his determination to fight the poison of antisemitism.
A poll in 2019, commissioned by the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, found that one in 20 British adults did not believe the Holocaust happened, and eight percent said the scale of the genocide has been exaggerated.
Holocaust denial is a tool to trivialise the reality of history and experiences of Jews, and deliberately seek to propagate and disseminate vile distortions. The distortion of the Holocaust can also lead to inversion, where Jews today are likened to the Nazis – a comparison we have seen displayed during protests in London.
Holocaust Memorial Day underscores the shared responsibility of safeguarding democratic values and human rights. It reinforces the efforts to create a society resilient to hatred, intolerance, and terrorism.
At a time of heightened tension across the UK, with increasing instances of far-right groups stoking the flames of intolerance to target vulnerable communities, as we saw in Southport last summer, and groups targeting and blaming Jews for the actions of the Israeli government, it is imperative that we stamp out hatred.
We cannot allow history to repeat itself. Without understanding and respectful discourse, there is a risk that fuel will be added to the toxic mix of hatred and intolerance which we know leads to the radicalisation of those susceptible to extremist ideologies. In its worst form, this can lead to a terror attack and the death of innocent people.
All communities have a responsibility to confront hatred with action, and by embracing the theme of Holocaust Memorial Day this year – For a Better Future – we can collectively reinforce efforts to create a society that is resilient to hatred and extremism.
As the late Jo Cox said: “We have more in common than that which divides us”.