‘Genocide is unforgivable full stop’
ISLANDERS gathered at the memorials at the White Rock yesterday to remember those who lost their lives in the Holocaust.
The Dean, the Very Rev. Tim Barker, led a short ceremony during which wreaths were laid at the memorials of the three Jewish women who lived in Guernsey during the Occupation and died at Auschwitz, the Guernsey Eight, a group of islanders who died after being deported in the Second World War, and the Foreign Labour Forces.
‘Holocaust Memorial Day is a day that unites people across the world and faiths,’ said the Dean.
‘It’s good to welcome a large group of people to be united in remembrance.’
The Bailiff, Sir Richard McMahon, Chief Minister Deputy Lyndon Trott and Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq were among those laying wreaths at the event.
‘It is always important to remember and reflect on these atrocities,’ said the Bailiff.
‘Genocide is unforgivable full stop.
‘It is important that the next generations to always learn and strive for peace.’
Darren Vogel, a member of Guernsey’s Jewish community, said that yesterday’s events at the White Rock and a commemorative gathering at the Princess Royal Centre for the Performing Arts in the evening were focused on education about the Holocaust.
‘There is a focus on education thanks to the commitment from the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust and Education, Sport & Culture,’ he said. ‘There has been a great turnout from the Jewish community.’
Bosnian concentration camp survivor Sabit Jakupovic was supposed to be speaking at this year’s Holocaust Memorial Day events locally, but these plans were cancelled at the last minute.
A statement from the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, issued on Friday, said ‘since the event was initially organised, there has been a noticeable increase in anti-semitism and community tensions in Guernsey.
‘HMDT’s priority is the wellbeing of any Holocaust or genocide survivor and the difficult decision was therefore made to withdraw Sabit.’
‘We do not know the ins and outs of the situation, but I am sure we will have speakers soon,’ said Mr Vogel.
The States issued a statement on Friday which said ‘while tensions are increasing in many communities internationally, Guernsey is an open, friendly and respectful community which values freedom of expression, and where people of all faiths and backgrounds are welcome, and this has not changed’.
Police confirmed that they had no specific security concerns about the events taking place locally for Holocaust Memorial Day, and said that there had been no indications recently of a noticeable increase in anti-semitism or community tensions.
They said that events were to be ‘proportionately policed, in line with any public gathering’.
