Keir Starmer, alongside his wife Victoria, hosted a deeply moving reception at Downing Street for Holocaust survivors. The gathering followed the Prime Minister’s recent visit to
Auschwitz-Birkenau, which he described as “one of the most harrowing experiences of my life.”
Reflecting on his visit to the infamous concentration camp, Starmer told Jewish News that it reinforced his determination to ensure the Holocaust’s legacy endures. He emphasized that “this unique and darkest of crimes must never be forgotten or diminished.”
The reception, held ahead of Holocaust Memorial Day and the 80th anniversary of Auschwitz’s liberation, took place during a troubling rise in antisemitism. Survivors from Auschwitz, Bergen-Belsen, and the Kindertransport were among the guests, sharing their personal stories with the Prime Minister and Lady Starmer in heartfelt conversations.
Honoring Survivors’ Stories
Holocaust survivors, including Renee Salt, Arek Hersh, Mala Tribich, and Harry Olmer, were seated at designated tables representing their unique experiences during the Shoah. The Starmers joined the survivors and their families, listening intently to their accounts of resilience and survival.
During the event, Keir Starmer was gifted several books, including a memoir by 95-year-old Renee Salt, who survived Auschwitz after arriving at the camp as a teenager. Survivors praised the couple for their “ability to listen” and their genuine desire to learn from the testimonies shared that day.
The Prime Minister and his wife also reflected on their visit to Auschwitz the previous week. They appeared visibly moved as survivors showed them tattoos of their camp identification numbers. Starmer recounted a particularly touching story about Gena and Norman Turgel, two survivors who later married, describing their journey from unimaginable suffering to building a life together as “truly remarkable.”
The Importance of Education
Following the reception, Starmer emphasized the need to preserve Holocaust education for future generations. “It was an incredible privilege to meet with extraordinary Holocaust survivors and their families. After surviving the incomprehensible horrors of the Nazis, they have dedicated their lives to ensuring these atrocities are never forgotten.”
Starmer signed the Holocaust Educational Trust’s (HET) Book of Commitment, pledging to promote Holocaust education across the UK. He reaffirmed his government’s commitment to including the Holocaust in the national curriculum, ensuring that every child learns about this dark chapter of history.
Karen Pollock CBE, CEO of the Holocaust Educational Trust, praised the Prime Minister’s compassion. “The warmth and care shown by Keir and Victoria Starmer to these precious eyewitnesses was deeply moving. Their commitment to safeguarding the memory of the Holocaust is evident.”
A Stark Reminder
Starmer described the Auschwitz visit as life-altering. “What struck me most was the image of guards standing proudly with Jewish prisoners. It reminded me that this was not the work of a few individuals but a collective effort fueled by hatred and dehumanization. It underscores why we must protect the legacy of Holocaust survivors and ensure history never repeats itself.”
He added, “As we mark Holocaust Memorial Day, we honor the six million Jewish lives taken and recommit ourselves to combating antisemitism and hatred in all forms. The survivors’ courage in sharing their stories inspires us to ensure the phrase ‘never again’ truly means never again.”
A Collective Commitment
The reception also included Holocaust educators and other notable figures, such as Lord Alf Dubs, and family members of survivors. Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Justice Minister Sarah Sackman held similar events to honor survivors and promote Holocaust remembrance.
Karen Pollock reflected on the significance of the Downing Street reception: “Eighty years ago, these survivors could not have imagined sharing their stories over tea with the Prime Minister of Great Britain. Their resilience is a testament to the human spirit, and it’s our duty to ensure their stories are never forgotten.”
Starmer concluded by urging the nation to remain vigilant. “By teaching young people about the Holocaust and subsequent genocides, we nurture empathy and understanding—qualities essential to combating hatred. Together, we can honor the past and safeguard the future.” Photo by RachelH_, Wikimedia commons.