A large and powerful UK-led commemoration took place at the Bergen-Belsen Memorial on Sunday 27th April, marking 80 years since the liberation of the concentration camp by British forces.
Led by AJEX The Jewish Military Association, the delegation of 180 people included survivors, descendants of liberators and survivors, cadets, veterans, Jewish serving personnel, Holocaust educational charities young ambassadors, government officials and community leaders.
The delegation took part in the international commemorations at the main Obelisk where the Rt Hon Angela Rayner MP spoke and both her and Lord Coaker laid wreaths. They were assisted by Cadets from the JFS CCF and the North London and Middlesex ACF. A wreath was also laid by AJEX Veterans Ron Shelley and Ivan Sugarman with the salute from Dan Fox, AJEX National Chair.
There followed a ceremony at the Jewish memorial with the Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis and music from the Shabbaton Choir. Wreaths were laid by Angela Rayner MP, Rachel Riley and Lt Col Simon Soskin.
After the formal proceedings AJEX ran a unique commemoration event led by Dan Fox which included an interview between Mala Tribich, Holocaust survivor and Rachel Riley, readings and words from Lord Coaker, Lord Lt Robert Voss, Alexandra Singer, Rob Rinder, Lord Finkelstein, Rabbi Josh Levy, John Hill. The UK young people were provided with a special educational programme along with German students. The delegation also included family of Reverends Leslie Hardman and Isaac Levy, Military Chaplains who ministered to the survivors in the immediate days following liberation.
Dan Fox, AJEX National Chair said: “Nothing could have prepared the men of the 11th Armoured Division for what they confronted as they entered Bergen-Belsen on 15th April 1945. Within its confines, they came face-to-face with the last belt of Hitler's genocidal conveyor. That day, British soldiers turned destruction into the beginning of repair and nightmares into the start of hope. We honour them all today: liberators, survivors and those who lost their lives”.
Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner, said:
"While the atrocities committed at Bergen Belsen represent the worst of humanity, in its survivors and liberators, we see the very best of courage, perseverance and hope.
“It was an honour commemorate the 80th anniversary of the liberation amongst so many inspiring people including Holocaust survivors, ex-servicemen and descendants of the many Jewish people who killed. We must honour the memory of Bergen Belsen and the stories of its survivors as we fulfil our unwavering commitment to maintain the values of freedom, peace and respect.”
Defence Minister Lord Coaker said: “Today, I stood where British soldiers bore witness to humanity’s darkest hour and responded with courage and compassion. As we honour those who risked their lives to save others here eight decades ago, we recommitment our Armed Forces to defending the values their forebears fought for—justice for the persecuted, protection of the innocent, and an unyielding resistance to those who would repeat history’s darkest crimes.”
Fiona Palmer, AJEX Chief Executive, said: “Today has been immensely emotional. Standing together we have honoured the victims of the Holocaust, the survivors and the liberators. We have reaffirmed our collective duty to fight hate wherever we encounter it and to never forget The Holocaust. We are very grateful to the Noe Family and Rachel Charitable Trust, Family Menton and Family Shapiro as well as our anonymous donors for making this all possible.”
