Shoah educator says politicians must be ‘careful about the language they use’
President of the National Holocaust Centre and Museum, James Smith, sounds warning about the rhetoric used surrounding the Brexit debate
Britain’s national Holocaust centre in Nottinghamshire has warned politicians to tone down the rhetoric or risk stoking racism, as Boris Johnson’s language over Brexit comes under intense scrutiny.
The caution was issued by James Smith, president of the National Holocaust Centre and Museum, amid warnings of rising antisemitism and white nationalism in the UK.
Johnson has been accused of inflating tensions in the country by his use of terms such as “surrender” and “betrayal” in relation to MPs and judges whose actions have stymied his government’s plans to force through a no-deal Brexit if necessary.
Noting the UK’s “somewhat divided society,” Smith said: “The growth of ideas that contributed to the Holocaust, such as white nationalism and antisemitism, are alive and well today.
“A quarter of a century ago we were creating this centre as a warning from history. If we’d known then that these ideas would be on the rise in the UK in 2019 we would have been aghast.”
He added that “politicians have to show leadership on this issue and they have to be careful about the language they use,” saying: “Where violence has been stoked around the world you will find political leaders who have failed to rein in their language… There is a certain degree of cause and effect.”
Smith’s comments were echoed by Holocaust survivor Janine Webber, 87, who lost most of her Polish family during the Shoah.
“There is an increase in antisemitism in the UK and the extreme right is on the rise,” she said. “There is insecurity in the world. Some people are anti-immigrants. They are looking for a scapegoat for their problems, something that will help them get the anger off their chests.”
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.
