Boris Johnson at Yad Vashem: Holocaust “still has lessons for humanity today”
Justin Cohen is the News Editor at the Jewish News
Boris Johnson has spoken about how visiting Yad Vashem helps create understand of the “colossal, vital and historic importance” of defending Israel.
The mayor of London was speaking after signing the guest book at the end of an emotional tour of the memorial museum, which he described as “perhaps even more powerful and shattering” than a previous visit.
He said: “Noone must ever forget the truth of what happened and this museum will help ensure the lessons of that horror stays in our hearts forever. It’s very important we learn and understand because it still has lessons for humanity today.”
He referred to the museum’s layout, which ends with guests emerging from darkness to light with a view over Jerusalem. ‘You understand the colossal, vital and historic importance of creating, ensuring and defending a homeland for the Jewish people,” he said.
Boris sees stars marking Jews out during Shoah @yadvashem. Mayor asking lots of questions, constantly shaking head pic.twitter.com/He2KsZsIEh
— Justin Cohen (@CohenJust) November 10, 2015
A visibly moved Johnson, known for his light-hearted quips and jolly persona, was sullen-faced throughout, often shaking his head and puffing out his cheeks.
“Oh my God,” he exclaimed when hearing from the guide about how Jews were killed before the Gas chambers, later standing in stunning silence when told that 1.1million Jews died at Auschwitz alone. He said it was “to my great shame” he had never visited.
He also viewed a section on the Kindertransport and Kristallnacht, on the anniversary of the attack on synagogues across Germany that served as a warning signal as to what was to come. Throughout the tour, the history expert asked questions from what Yad Vashem means to how Germans react when they do the tour.
He described as a “disaster” the British policy of preventing Jews from entering Palestine after the War, and the resultant consequences.
‘No one must ever forget what happened’: @MayorofLondon‘s message in guestbook at @yadvashem pic.twitter.com/d1KyiPEj7B
— Justin Cohen (@CohenJust) November 10, 2015
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
