Holocaust Chief Executive of Education Trust Karen Pollock Has launched a scathing attack on the way some pro-Palestinian protesters are comparing the Nazis to modern times israel,
Ahead of the commemoration of the horrific crimes committed by the Nazis, which saw the mass murder of 6 million Jews, Ms Pollock has warned that modern protests will take place in Gaza over a range of issues, including “trivialising” Nazi crimes 80 years ago.
“The Nazis, their leaders, and their symbols have become almost synonymous with ultimate evil,” he wrote in an article. jewish news, “Online, we see this result in the phenomenon of Godwin’s Law: the idea that the longer a discussion continues online, the more likely it is that someone will push their point by comparing them to Nazis. However, what started as an online phenomenon has now become truly established in the real world.
“Whether it’s individuals wearing the yellow star to protest pandemic restrictions or environmental groups using Holocaust-related language to warn against inaction on climate change – it seems like the only way you can make your voice heard is by He is trivializing the murder of six million. “It is tragic, it is wrong, and it is an insult to the victims and survivors who witness the deliberate use and abuse of genocide.”
But the charity boss, whose work at HET since 1998 has focused on ensuring that the lessons of the past are not forgotten, made it clear he would abandon the language and symbols of war following protests against Israel and the Hamas offensive in Gaza. Particularly angry about. State on October 7 last year.
“The practice of deliberately misusing the Holocaust to attack the State of Israel is even more shameful. Since October 7, Britain’s streets have been filled with protesters calling for the release of the hostages and not condemning Hamas terrorists.
“While some may be calling for peace, we see others comparing the Jewish Star of David to the Swastika, Israeli leaders to Hitler and Zionism to fascism. “We also saw the Holocaust memorial in Hyde Park covered – apparently as a precaution.”
His intervention comes amid rising tensions between those who want curbs on freedom to protest over fears the weekly demonstrations are fueling extremism and those angered by Israel’s conduct in the war in Gaza. Hamas killed about 1,200 people in the deadly October 7 attacks, while more than 200 were taken hostage. The health ministry in Gaza says the number of Palestinians killed in the war since then has reached more than 30,000.
The issue has also had an impact on local elections with Labour’s campaign chief Pat McFadden Admitting on Friday that Sir Keir Starmer’s support for Israel was “a factor” in Muslim voters staying home and the party losing or failing to pick up some seats. Even questions are being raised on its effectiveness london mayoral Election.
Ms Pollock warned that the distortion of language about the Holocaust as a means of attacking Israel was endangering democratic values.
He said, “If a memorial to the six million Jewish men, women and children killed during the Holocaust is to be hidden for fear that it will be desecrated, then this should serve as a warning.” “Many survivors rebuilt their lives here, cherishing the shared values of freedom, democracy and dignity. These values feel under threat.
“We have to be clear in saying that there is no excuse, no additional context, for carrying swastikas on the streets of London. This is not a symbol of political protest. It is a symbol of genocide, racism and anti-Semitism.
“There can be no excuse for comparing Israeli leaders to Hitler. The Nazis tried to completely exterminate the Jewish people, no matter where they were. Their mission was to exterminate all Jews because they were Jews. These comparisons do not add value to an argument, they make its supporters racist. This is an abuse of the memory of the victims and a distortion of the Holocaust, which is a dangerous form of anti-Semitism.
“Calling out this hate speech is not to silence criticism of Israel, but to demand that anti-Semitism have no place on our streets or in our society. On Yom HaShoah, it’s not too much to ask.”