The MP for Chichester, , has described a visit last
week to the former Nazi concentration and death camp
Auschwitz-Birkenau as “deeply moving”.
Mrs Keegan, who is also Secretary of State for Education, joined
school children on a visit organised as part of the Holocaust
Educational Trust’s (HET) Lessons from Auschwitz Project.
During her visit the MP laid a wreath and signed a book of
remembrance in honour of victims of the Holocaust.
Following her return to the UK, the MP commented: “The reality of
seeing the camp at Auschwitz first-hand was deeply moving and
only underscored to me the incomprehensible and senseless nature
of the violence and persecution faced by so many during the
Holocaust.
“It is troubling that for the first time in a long time, Jewish
people in many countries, including the UK, are feeling
threatened and scared and are feeling more subjected to levels of
hatred that they never thought would be possible.”
Mrs Keegan is leading work at the Department for Education to
counter antisemitism in British schools and universities. This
includes a £7 million government fund to support organisations
like the Holocaust Educational Trust and ensure support is in
place for schools and universities to understand, recognise, and
deal with antisemitism effectively.
The Chichester MP continued: “In our schools we need our children
to know and to understand what humanity is capable of and the
importance of speaking out against intolerance. It is up to all
of us to educate ourselves and ensure that when we say ‘never
again’, we really mean it.”
Praising Mrs Keegan for making the visit to Auschwitz, Karen
Pollock, CBE, the Chief Executive of HET said “The impact of
visiting Auschwitz – the site where over a million Jewish men,
women and children were murdered, can never be underestimated.
“By joining us on our Lessons from Auschwitz Project, the
Secretary of State has demonstrated her personal commitment and
support to ensure future generations continue to remember the
Holocaust and the six million men, women and children murdered –
just because they were Jewish.
“We are very grateful for the continued support from the
Department for Education which has allowed tens of thousands of
young people from across the UK to see the site for themselves
and become Ambassadors against antisemitism and hate.”
