Monmouth MP David Davies has pledged his support to Holocaust Memorial Day by signing the Holocaust Educational Trust’s Book of Commitment in the House of Commons.
With Tuesday 27th January marking the 70th anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi concentration and death camp Auschwitz-Birkenau, Mr Davies honoured the millions of victims who were persecuted and killed during the Holocaust.
He also paid tribute to those who survived and have dedicated their lives to educating young people, ensuring the appalling events of the Holocaust and other genocides are neither forgotten nor repeated.
“Despite the lessons of history, religious and racial hatred is still growing in the modern day,” said Mr Davies.
"Learning from the extraordinary stories of survivors therefore gives us the opportunity to reflect on the evil that was perpetrated during the Holocaust and pledge to create a brighter future.”
To coincide with Holocaust Memorial Day, Mr Davies visited Holocaust survivor Mady Gerard at her home in St Arvans, near Chepstow.
Arrested as a 14 year-old Jew in Hungary, Mrs Gerard was deported to Auschwitz before being moved to the infamous Bergen-Belsen camp where she remained until liberation on 15th April 1945.
"It’s been a great privilege to get to know Mady and her astounding life story through my wife, who is also Hungarian,” said Mr Davies.
“Mady has spoken very movingly about her experiences at my children’s school. She has also recounted the horrors she witnessed during the Second World War in a book, which is a compelling read.
“For someone who grew up in the painful shadow of the Holocaust, it was sad to hear Mady talk about her fears over the recent rise in anti-Semitic attacks.
“As we mark the 70th anniversary of the end of the Holocaust, passing on the testimony of survivors like Mady is more crucial than ever.”
Karen Pollock MBE, Chief Executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, added: “We are proud that David Davies is supporting Holocaust Memorial Day.
“It is vitally important that we both continue to remember and learn from this dark period in our history, as well as ensuing that we continue to challenge anti-Semitism and all forms of bigotry.”