Board of Deputies President Marie van der Zyl has written to councillors in Westminster urging them to support the proposed National Holocaust Memorial ahead of a public meeting on the project.
Tuesday's meeting of Westminster City Council's planning committee is likely to see tensions over the plan resurface after a report from Westminster’s planners included recommendations to oppose the “inappropriate development”.
The proposal for a Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre in the Grade II-listed Victoria Tower Gardens site next to Parliament was "called in" by the Government when it appeared likely the council would reject it.
It means the plans will be the subject of an independent planning inquiry with national Government making the final decision. But Westminster Council is still holding a public meeting on the plan.
In her letter, Mrs van der Zyl says: “A permanent commemoration to the six million Jewish people murdered in the Holocaust is an important and timely project.
"At a time when the number of Holocaust survivors is dwindling by the year, and when antisemitism is on the rise across Europe and in the UK, a permanent and visible memorial will serve as a constant reminder of the danger of complacency to those we elect to represent us.”
She added: “The impact of a permanent memorial on future generations is incalculable.
"An interactive learning centre as a part of the permanent fixture of the memorial well ensure that future generations are able to learn the lessons of the Holocaust and ensure that ‘Never Again’ is not only a slogan, but rather a call to action against any future abuses of human rights.”
As the JC reported last week, Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick had attacked the “naysayers” over the project and said they “will not succeed”.
It is understood that Mr Jenrick is deeply disappointed with both Westminster Council and former council leader Nickie Aitken, who was elected MP for the seat in December’s election, over their opposition to the memorial.
The memorial was first proposed by former Prime Minister David Cameron to mark Holocaust Memorial Day in 2016.
It has since received the backing of every living Prime Minister — including Sir John Major, Tony Blair, Gordon Brown — with former PM Theresa May pledging a further £25m towards the project last May.
But while Westminister Council’s Labour group has remained staunch in its support of the project, local Tory councillors have continued to raise objections.
