Ex-PMs’ attack on Corbyn over the ‘poison’ of anti-Semitism
Former premiers back new Holocaust memorial
FOUR former prime ministers will today join Theresa May in backing a Holocaust memorial and deliver an apparent rebuke to Jeremy Corbyn over anti-Semitism.
In a powerful series of messages, Mrs May, David Cameron, Gordon Brown, Tony Blair and Sir John Major all warn of the dangers of rising prejudice against Jewish people.
Together, they back a monument and education centre – to be built in the shadow of Parliament – that will teach future generations about the horrors of the Holocaust.
But they also appear to deliver a coded rebuke to Mr Corbyn over the anti-Semitism that has engulfed his party, with Mr Blair in particular delivering a thinly veiled attack on the Labour leader.
In his message, the former Labour prime minister said the ‘poison’ of anti-Semitism appeared to be ‘back from the political fringe to parts of the political mainstream’.
He added ‘anti- Semitism and hate did not end in 1945’ and warned that a Holocaust memorial is needed to ‘show what happens when racism and prejudice go unchecked’.
His successor Mr Brown said the memorial would be a ‘powerful symbol’, adding: ‘ We should never ever allow evil to triumph over good.’
Prime Minister Mrs May
‘Fight against hatred’
‘
Anti-Semitism and hate did not end in 1945. Unfortunately today some of this poison is back from the political fringe to parts of the ’ political mainstream TONY BLAIR
said: ‘In the face of despicable Holocaust denial, this memorial will stand to preserve the truth for ever.
‘And this education centre will ensure that every generation understands the responsibility that we all share – to fight against hatred and prejudice in all its forms wherever it is found.’
Sir John said: ‘ The Holocaust is one of the most evil acts in history – it must never be forgotten.
‘A memorial near to the House of Commons reminds us what happens when democracy fails. It’s a lesson neither this generation nor the next should ever forget.’
Mr Cameron, who set up the Holocaust Commission in 2014, said he was inspired to back the project because he had seen the effect similar memorials had had on his children.
He also cited the ‘immense privilege’ of meeting Holocaust survivors and hearing their stories, and realising there was a time when they would no longer be here to tell them.
The unprecedented coming together of the prime ministers to back the memorial will be welcomed by the Jewish community. They point to the dangers of anti-Semitism once again emerging after a wave of populism in Europe.
Labour is currently engulfed in an anti-Semitism crisis that it has failed to tackle over the past year. The Equality and Human Rights Commission is investigating whether the party’s handling of anti-Semitism within its ranks complies with equalities law.
Labour faced widespread criticism after it refused to adopt in full an internationally accepted definition of antiSemitism. After a public backlash and an outcry from many of the party’s MPs, Mr Corbyn later adopted the definition along with its examples of anti-Semitism.
The Labour leader was then caught up in controversy over a 2014 wreath-laying ceremony at a Tunisian cemetery where terror leaders linked to the Munich massacre are buried.
Mrs May led cross-party support for the new Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre, planned for Victoria Tower Gardens beside Parliament.
Joined by the four living former prime ministers, she said: ‘Seeing this through is a sacred, national mission.’
In 2015 the Government committed £50million to the project to kick-start a national fundraising effort. Mr Corbyn said: ‘Remembering the horrors of the Holocaust is a vital way of saying to all generations that such devastating tragedy, racist cruelty and loss must never be repeated.
‘That is why I strongly support permanent commemoration, including a national memorial, alongside extra investment in educational programmes. Only by understanding history can we all play a role in preventing future genocides and combating the return of this poisonous threat. Racism and prejudice must never go unchallenged.’