In a move that has sparked outrage and alarm within the Jewish community and beyond, authorities in London have covered the Hyde Park Holocaust memorial out of fear it may be targeted by pro-Palestinian activists amid a series of protests in the city. The decision to shroud the tribute to the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust has drawn sharp criticism from Jewish organizations, Holocaust survivors, and public figures, fueling a broader conversation about antisemitism and the right to protest.
The memorial was draped with a blue tarpaulin, and police were deployed to guard the site during a recent march. Noemi Ebenstein, an 82-year-old Holocaust survivor, voiced her dismay, asserting, “It is shameful. Seeing this, it feels like they are winning.” Ebenstein’s sentiment underscores a profound frustration felt by many at what is perceived as a concession to hate. “Those who are Jew haters, those who are Holocaust deniers, they are winning because we are afraid of them,” she added, expressing a desire for a more resilient stand against antisemitic elements.
Jewish Conservative Member of Parliament Andrew Percy articulated his disgust at the covering of the memorial, which he viewed as a visceral indicator of the distress experienced by the Jewish community during the recurring marches. Similarly, Jewish Chronicle editor-at-large Stephen Pollard highlighted the need for clarity on the threshold of acceptability for such demonstrations, questioning, “What is the line that needs to be crossed for people to think it’s not OK for these hate marches to continue?”
In a statement, Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial Museum in Jerusalem expressed concern over the concealment of Holocaust memorials. Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial Museum in Jerusalem said in an X post it was “worried by reports of Holocaust memorials being concealed out of fear from antisemitic attacks. These monuments are constant reminders of past horrors. We must address the root problems of antisemtism [sic] today & ensure that the victims’ voices are never silenced.”
Responses from other political figures, such as Lord Pickles, the UK’s special envoy on post-Holocaust issues, have condemned the action as sending a “terrible message” to Jews in London and across the UK. The outcry points to a broader fear that the decision to cover the memorial might signify a surrender to intimidation and lawlessness rather than upholding the rule of law and protecting the city’s diverse population.
The Metropolitan Police clarified that the memorial covering was a precaution by park authorities, not the police. The incident occurred amid tensions following the Israel-Hamas war, with concerns raised by Jewish groups about growing hostility in London.
Relevant articles:
– Outrage as London police cover Holocaust memorial for fear of vandalism by antisemitic mob, ynetnews.com, 04/28/2024
– Fury as memorial to six million Jews killed in Holocaust is covered up and guarded by police in London’s Hyde Park over fears it will be vandalised by pro-Palestine activists, Daily Mail, Sat, 27 Apr 2024 21:02:30 GMT
– Holocaust memorial covered during London anti-Israel march: ‘Sad but necessary’, Fox News, Sun, 28 Apr 2024 23:03:00 GMT
– UK officials cover London Holocaust memorial over vandalization fears, The Jerusalem Post, Sun, 28 Apr 2024 13:53:27 GMT
– London police cover Holocaust memorial during anti-Israel march, Arutz Sheva, Sun, 28 Apr 2024 05:57:00 GMT