The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has emphasized the urgent need to educate young people about the Holocaust, warning that the rise of fake news and unregulated social media poses a
significant threat to preserving the truth. He highlighted the indispensable work of organizations such as the Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation, the Holocaust Educational Trust, and the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust in ensuring future generations learn from the horrors of the past.
Today, January 27, the Mayor is in Poland to mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. He will attend a service at the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum and Memorial, joining His Majesty the King, international political leaders, Holocaust survivors, their families, and Jewish community members to honor the lives of those lost during one of history's darkest chapters.
On International Holocaust Remembrance Day, the Mayor joins others in commemorating the 1.1 million people who were murdered at Auschwitz-Birkenau, as well as the millions more who fell victim to the Nazis. World War II claimed the lives of approximately six million Polish citizens—around one-fifth of Poland's pre-war population.
In an era marked by a disturbing rise in antisemitism and global hate, Sadiq Khan reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring young Londoners are educated about the Holocaust and other genocides. "The Holocaust is a stark reminder of what can happen when hatred is left unchecked," the Mayor stated. "It’s vital that we stand united and resolute against hate in all its forms."
The Auschwitz-Birkenau site continues to play a pivotal role in global Holocaust education, receiving 1.8 million visitors annually, including 300,000 schoolchildren from the UK. The Mayor underscored the importance of preserving such sites to counter misinformation and provide firsthand insights into history.
In 2020, to mark the 75th anniversary of the camp's liberation, London contributed £300,000 to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation. This funding has supported the preservation of personal artifacts such as shoes, clothing, and glasses belonging to victims, as well as the maintenance of the site’s original infrastructure. These efforts ensure future generations can witness the evidence of the atrocities committed and learn the truths of history.
London is home to the UK’s largest Jewish community, with approximately 145,000 Jewish residents. The capital saw a significant influx of European Jews during the 1930s and 1940s as they fled the Nazis. Many were family members of those murdered in the Holocaust.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “The Holocaust was one of the darkest times in history and a terrible example of what can happen when hatred is left unchecked. That’s why it's imperative Londoners and others around the world are able to learn about the appalling events which took place at Auschwitz-Birkenau and the other camps.
“I am honoured to have been invited to join the official commemoration event in Poland to mark the 80th anniversary of its liberation. The powerful and poignant stories preserved here are an integral part of ensuring the victims are never forgotten and the horrors that took place here are never repeated.
“The proliferation of fake news and unregulated content on social media means that the work of organisations such as the Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation, Holocaust Educational Trust and Holocaust Memorial Day Trust is more vital than ever in equipping young people with a full and proper account of history.
“At a time of growing division and rising antisemitism and hate crime across the world, it's incredibly important that we all now redouble our efforts to remember the past and make sure we learn from it.”
Piotr M.A. Cywiński, President of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation, said: “In an era of rapid cultural, technological, and social changes, amidst growing populism and the loud prevalence of hate speech, we must rediscover the profoundly valuable power of memory. It is from memory that wise warnings, guidance, and insights flow, enabling us to make better judgments, choices, and actions. Memory and experience are deeply interconnected concepts. I believe it is this perspective on memory that has connected Mr. Sadiq Khan with efforts to preserve Auschwitz-Birkenau for so many years. Striving to uphold memory among new generations is one of the most meaningful investments in a future free from hatred, antisemitism, and all forms of racism and xenophobia.”
Karen Pollock CBE, Chief Executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust: “Today we mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the former Nazi concentration and death camp Auschwitz-Birkenau, the place where approximately 1 million Jewish men, women and children were murdered by the Nazis. At the site of the former camp, Holocaust survivors, surrounded by their families, Heads of State and dignitaries, had a spotlight shone on their harrowing stories. Today, 80 years on, as survivors become fewer and frailer, learning about the truth of the past could not be more important, and ensuring the next generation understand what happened at Auschwitz takes on a new urgency. Thank you to the Mayor of London for joining this important commemoration.”
Olivia Marks-Woldman OBE, Chief Executive of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust: “The Mayor of London is a steadfast supporter of Holocaust commemoration; the Holocaust Memorial Day 2025 Ceremony at City Hall last week was a moving and powerful event, and one we are proud to have supported. The Mayor’s unwavering commitment ensures Londoners never forget the lessons of the Holocaust. His visit to Auschwitz on the 80th anniversary of its liberation underscores this dedication. Auschwitz remains an enduring symbol of Nazi brutality and humanity’s capacity for unimaginable evil. It stands as a reminder of the devastating consequences of unchecked hate and bigotry. The commemorations at Auschwitz-Birkenau, once the epicentre of the Nazis’ genocidal campaign, will honour not only of those who were murdered at Auschwitz but of all six million Jews killed during the Holocaust.” Photo by Chabad Lubavitch, Wikimedia commons.