The Holocaust Educational Trust is, as Sir Keir Starmer put it this week, a “world-leading” example of its kind. Its work is both inspiring and necessary, supporting survivors and ensuring that their stories are passed through the generations and training of thousands of teachers.
But as the prime minister said in his speech to the HET’s annual dinner on Monday, its work is needed now more than ever. It is not simply that antisemitism is worse than at any point in post-War history; Holocaust denial is becoming almost normalised on social media, and is thus gaining a foothold among younger generations. It is good that Sir Keir promised to keep Holocaust education on the national curriculum “come what may”. That, however, is the bare minimum. Even more important was Sir Keir’s announcement that those schools that do not currently have to follow the national curriculum will have to teach the Holocaust when the new curriculum comes in.
We face many threats as a community, with as many views on how to deal with them. The HET is a model of how to respond. One of the HET’s many strengths is that it is apolitical (the same is true of the Community Security Trust). Its work is seen as vital by people of all persuasions and, crucially, by politicians of all parties. This unity of spirit is an example to all as we approach the anniversary of October 7.
