Holocaust Memorial Day 2021

Steve McCabe Excerpts

Thursday 28th January 2021 Commons Chamber

[Steve McCabe (Birmingham, Selly Oak) (Lab) [V]]

Like others who have spoken, I remember my visit to Auschwitz with a group of sixth formers, organised by the Holocaust Educational Trust, to which I pay tribute. It was around this time of year. It was freezing. There was no snow on the ground. I will never forget how I felt as I thought of human beings being forced to march across that frozen ground, barefoot, near naked, on their way to extermination.

We must never forget that we allowed it to happen. That is why we cannot quietly ignore or excuse antisemitism. That is why we must challenge phoney equivalence arguments and free speech excuses, no matter where they come from or who says it. Excuses mean complicity.

When we think of Israel, it is right to question the motives of those who constantly single out that state for special treatment. That does not mean that I do not support a just settlement, a democratic and viable Palestinian state, and a secure and recognised Israel—I do support those things. It does mean, however, that when I hear the frank views of As’ad AbuKhalil, who has said:

“The real aim of BDS is to bring down the state of Israel…That should be stated as an unambiguous goal”,

or those of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, who has said:

“It is the mission of the Islamic Republic…to erase Israel from the map of the region”,

I question the intentions and the motives of those who support such people and such movements.

It was exactly those kinds of views that paved the way to Auschwitz. We should never forget what indifference and turning a blind eye can lead to. Let us be a light in the darkness.