On 15th April 2025, we pause to mark a profoundly moving anniversary 80 years since British troops liberated Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. As they entered the gates, soldiers of the British 11th Armoured Division were confronted by scenes that remain etched into the history of humanity: piles of unburied bodies, and over 60,000 prisoners on the brink of death starving, diseased, and utterly dehumanised.
The horror they encountered was beyond imagining. Yet amid the despair, these soldiers did what they could bringing food, medical aid, and a flicker of hope to people who had endured the unendurable. Despite these efforts, thousands more would tragically lose their lives in the days that followed, weakened beyond the reach of rescue.
This anniversary is a deeply poignant moment to reflect on Britain’s connection to the Holocaust not just through the bravery of the liberators, but through our collective duty to bear witness. We remember the six million Jewish men, women, and children murdered during the Holocaust. We also honour the strength of those who survived, and the courage of those who stood against evil including the British troops who brought relief and humanity to those who had been denied it.
As time passes and the voices of both survivors and liberators grow fewer, it becomes more urgent than ever to listen, learn, and remember. Their testimonies are not just stories of the past they are calls to action. To reject hatred in all its forms. To stand up against antisemitism. To teach our children the power of compassion, the necessity of remembrance, and the strength found in unity.
Later this month, we will also observe Yom HaShoah, the Jewish day of Holocaust Remembrance. This solemn occasion unites Jewish communities in memory of the six million lives lost, and in honour of those who lived on.
As we approach the Jewish festival of Passover (Pesach) and the Christian festival of Easter, may we find renewed meaning in the themes they share liberation, resilience, and renewal. To all those celebrating, we wish you a Chag Pesach Sameach and a Happy Easter.
May this season be a reminder of what we can overcome together, and a call to build a future where dignity, justice, and remembrance prevail.