Senior government ministers were visibly moved to tears during an unprecedented and deeply emotional address by Holocaust survivor Mala Tribich at 10 Downing Street. The 95-year-old, who endured the horrors of the Bergen-Belsen death camp, received a sustained standing ovation after delivering a rousing five-minute plea for urgent action to combat rising antisemitism.
A Historic and Poignant Moment
In a landmark first for the United Kingdom, Mrs Tribich became the initial Holocaust survivor ever to speak directly to the cabinet during its weekly meeting. The occasion coincided with Holocaust Memorial Day, adding profound significance to her words. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer acknowledged the historic nature of the event, stating it was an incredible occasion that humbled and inspired all present.
An Urgent Call to Action
Mrs Tribich, who was made an MBE in 2012 for her educational services, addressed the government's top ministers with compelling urgency. She expressed being shaken to the core by recent terror attacks in Manchester and Sydney during Hanukkah, questioning how, eighty-one years after the Holocaust, Jewish communities could once again be targeted in such a manner.
Her speech carried particular weight as she identified herself as one of the last remaining eyewitnesses to what she described as one of the darkest chapters in human history. With remarkable clarity, she told the cabinet: "I sit before you as one of the last remaining eyewitnesses. Soon, there will be no eyewitnesses left. That is why I ask you today not just to listen, but to become my witnesses."
Personal Tragedy and Resilience
The survivor recounted her own harrowing experiences, having been sent to Bergen-Belsen with her younger cousin when she was approximately fourteen years old. She spent three months in the brutal death camp, largely incapacitated by typhus, until British troops liberated the facility on 15 April 1945. Tragically, her mother and eight-year-old sister were murdered by the Nazis in a local forest.
Mrs Tribich has dedicated decades to sharing her testimony in schools and colleges across the United Kingdom, representing the British Holocaust survivor community. She emphasised that survivors never anticipated witnessing antisemitism at current levels, declaring that merely remembering the past is no longer sufficient.
Government Response and Commitment
Following the address, Sir Keir Starmer expressed gratitude for Mrs Tribich's powerful words and made a firm commitment. He assured her that the government would do everything necessary to tackle antisemitism wherever it rears its ugly head, emphasising the duty to act against anyone attempting to deny or distort Holocaust history.
The prime minister's sentiments were echoed by Karen Pollock CBE, chief executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust. She highlighted the poignant timing of the meeting as the Holocaust transitions from living memory into history, underscoring the enduring responsibility to confront anti-Jewish hatred and preserve survivors' legacies.
A Lasting Impact
The emotional impact of Mrs Tribich's speech was unmistakable, with some ministers reportedly lowering their heads to dry their eyes during her address. Her direct appeal to the nation's leaders resonated powerfully: "I speak to you, leaders of this country I proudly call home, and I plead that you do what needs to be done."
This historic cabinet appearance serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing relevance of Holocaust education and the imperative to combat prejudice in all its forms, ensuring that future generations understand the consequences of hatred and intolerance.
