British Prime Minister David Cameron on Wednesday visited Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Museum and Institute in Jerusalem.
Accompanied by Yad Vashem Chairman Avner Shalev, he visited the Hall of Names and the Museum of Holocaust Art, participated in a memorial ceremony in the Hall of Remembrance and visited the Children’s Memorial.
Shalev presented the Prime Minister with the book, “Postcards to a Little Boy”, published by Yad Vashem, telling the story of Henry Foner, who was sent to England from Germany when he was six, in the framework of a plan, called Kindertransport, set in motion to rescue and find refuge for as many Jewish children as possible.
The children were accompanied on their journey by caregivers, social workers, and educators, and placed with families or in other settings in the United Kingdom.
Henry Foner, who had lost his mother at a young age, was one of approximately 10,000 children who left Europe between December 1938 and September 1939 thanks to this program.
Foner, now a resident of Jerusalem, was present.
In the Guest Book David Cameron wrote, “Yad Vashem is a beacon for the world safeguarding the memory of the millions that lost their lives during the Holocaust – and leading the way to a future free from hatred and prejudice.”
He noted that the Commission on the Holocaust is at Yad Vashem, “so the UK will draw inspiration from all you have done and help make sure those dreadful events are never forgotten.”
In his address to the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, just before visiting Yad Vashem, David Cameron spoke of the ‘’extraordinary journey of the Jewish people.’’
‘’Thousands of years of history in this holy land. Thousands of years of persecution. And even today, some people despicably questioning your right to exist.’’
He continued by mentioning his own Jewish ancestry ‘’which is relatively limited but I do feel just some sense of connection.’’
‘’From the lexicon of my great, great grandfather Emile Levita, a Jewish man who came from Germany to Britain 150 years ago to the story of my forefather Elijah Levita who wrote what is thought to have been the first ever Yiddish novel,’’ he added.
He added: ‘’More importantly I have learnt to understand something of Jewish values and character and I have grown to appreciate the extraordinary contribution of the Jewish people to my country and to the world. That sense of understanding has shaped my determination to remember the past, my commitment to Israel in the present and my hopes for Israel’s future.’’
The Prime Minister has set up the Holocaust Commission in Britain.
Several members of the Commission travelled with him to Israel for study and discussions at Yad Vashem related to Holocaust education, commemoration and documentation. They will meet with experts from Yad Vashem’s International School for Holocaust Studies, visit the Archives and hear about developments in research and the use of new media and the internet.
‘’As a father, I will never forget last year visiting the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin with my young children and for the first time trying to explain to them quite what had happened,’’ Cameron told the Knesset.
‪’’I want every child in Britain to learn about the Holocaust and to understand just how vital it is to fight discrimination and prejudice in our world.’’