Politicians and celebrities remember the millions of Holocaust victims
Ceremonies are being held in London, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to mark Holocaust Memorial Day.
Leaders across the political spectrum have paid tribute to the victims of the Holocaust on a national day of remembrance.
Prime Minister Theresa May led the online commemorations by sharing on Twitter a hand-written message in the Holocaust Educational Trust (HET)’s book of commitment.
She wrote: “In a world where hatred of others is becoming increasingly commonplace, we can choose to stand as one against those who peddle it.
“At a time where Jews are being targeted simply because of who they are, all of us of any faith can come together in their defence.
“And as the Shoah begins to drift to the edge of living memory, we can once again commit ourselves to remembering those who were murdered, and to ensuring that such a human catastrophe is never permitted to happen again.”
Her words were echoed by former Labour leader Ed Miliband, who posted: “Thinking today on #HolocaustMemorialDay of all those who were killed, especially members of my family.
“We need to never forget and keep teaching future generations as a memorial and a warning.”
Lord Dubs, who came to Britain on the Kindertransport to escape the Nazis before the Second World War, said his wish was “for the UK government to show the same humanity to refugees that Britain showed me in 1939”.
Leader of the Opposition Jeremy Corbyn, whose party has been dogged by allegations of anti-Semitism, posted a photograph of him signing the HET book.
In it, he said: “Let us never allow anti-Semitism or any other form of racism to disfigure our society.”
The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan called on Londoners to “reinforce our commitment to opposing hatred and intolerance everywhere”.
He added that it was “crucial we take the time to stop and listen to the accounts of Jewish survivors and refugees”.
Meanwhile, Countdown’s Rachel Riley, who recently spoke about the abuse she has received after challenging anti-Semitism, wrote: “Our hearts will always be a bit broken, but today, in memory of the hideous tragedy of the Holocaust, and those killed with no one left to remember them – all gone together.”
Robert Rinder shared a photograph of his grandfather, who came to the UK after the Second World War as part of a group of children known as ‘The Boys’.
Known for his TV show Judge Rinder, he said: “In his memory, I choose hope. The courage to end anti-Semitism starts with you.”
