Jewish organizations and individuals in Britain have expressed outrage and shame after a Holocaust memorial in London’s Hyde Park was covered with a blue tarp by local police on Saturday. The
police action was taken to prevent vandalism by an “antisemitic mob” during pro-Palestinian marches in the city. The memorial, which commemorates the six million Jews killed in the Holocaust, was draped with a tarp, sparking widespread condemnation.
Holocaust survivors and community leaders have labeled the action “shameful” and “appalling.” Noemi Ebenstein, an 82-year-old Holocaust survivor, said that covering the memorial felt like a victory for “Jew haters” and “Holocaust deniers.” She urged the Western world to stand up to antisemitism instead of running away from it.
Holocaust memorial (Credits: Ynetnews)
Stephen Pollard, editor-at-large of the Jewish Chronicle, demanded that police take sterner action to stamp out the marches, which he described as “hate marches.” Jewish Conservative Member of Parliament Andrew Percy called for a halt to the marches, saying that the sight of the memorial covered up “makes me sick to the stomach.”
Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial Museum in Jerusalem also expressed concern over the incident, stating that Holocaust memorials should not be concealed out of fear of antisemitic attacks. The museum emphasized the importance of addressing the root problems of antisemitism and ensuring that the victims’ voices are never silenced.
London police cover Holocaust memorial (Credits: Arutz Sheva)
The incident has sparked a wider debate about the rise of antisemitism in Britain and the need for stronger action to combat it. Many have expressed concern that the covering of the memorial sends a message that antisemitism is acceptable and that the Jewish community is not valued.
