Anti-Semitism is again raising its “ugly” head Israeli Ambassador Mark Regev told over 1,200 people at the annual Yom Hashoah commemoration service in Hyde Park on Sunday.
Noting where the world’s longest hatred can lead, his powerful address was aimed squarely at those who espouse anti-Semitic hatred and racism.
Ambassador Regev questioned whether some people had a problem with Jews deciding to no longer be victims, defenceless, pitied or free and independent.
“Following Israeli’s rebirth in 1948, our people are once again able to defend ourselves, we are a free and sovereign people in our historic homeland,” he exclaimed.
“Jews fleeing persecution no longer have to beg countries to open their doors. So to all those who call for Israel’s destruction, whether it’s the regime in Iran or its terrorist proxies, Hezbollah and Hamas, or those who express solidarity with them, including anti-Israel activists in this very country, I say this… We will protect ourselves physically from your violence and aggression, we will protect ourselves verbally from your slander and hatred, and we will continue to call out those who turned a blind eye in face of anti-Jewish bigotry.
“When the Jewish people say ‘never again’, we mean never again.”
Henry Grunwald QC opened the hour-long ceremony with a ‘defiance’ theme at the National Holocaust Memorial Gardens that coincided with the 75th anniversary of the Warsaw ghetto uprising and 73rd anniversary of the liberation of Bergen-Belsen.
Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis recalled examples of “heroic defiance” during The Shoah.
Calling on political leaders to send a clear message that anti-Semitism would no longer be tolerated he said there was a direct connection between leadership and defiance.
He added: “We are witnessing a worrying increase of anti-Semitic sentiment and activity throughout the continent, including here in Britain.
“The call of the hour is for strong, solid and responsible leadership to take on anti-Semitism.”
London Mayor Sadiq Khan continued the defiance theme.
“Jewish communities are feeling unsafe within this very country, within this very city; this is completely unacceptable and mustn’t go unchecked,” he said.
“We will take a zero tolerance approach to anti-Semitism. We must all remain defiant to ensure we defeat those who seek to divide us in stamping out anti-Semitism.”
Board of Deputies vice president Richard Verber noted that anti-Semitism was on the rise in Europe and Far-Right parties were again enjoying electoral success.
Yom Hashoah UK vice-president Jacques Weisser, Holocaust survivor Gena Turgel and Game of Thrones actress Laura Pradelska gave poignant addresses.
Yom HaShoah UK ran the free event that included songs and readings.