Liz Truss showed her support for the work of the Holocaust Educational Trust with a message to its dinner on Tuesday, at which Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng was the keynote speaker and more than £1 million was raised.

Writing in the dinner brochure, the Prime Minister said she would never forget her visit to Yad Vashem and had been “privileged” to meet Shoah survivors.

“These terrible events cannot fade into the past. We must always remember. That is why educating people is vital so that every generation knows the cost to humanity of these hateful and heinous crimes.

“Even with the Holocaust in living memory, antisemitism still blights the world.”

She added that she stood with the Jewish community in “facing down this scourge at home and abroad. That is why I will do everything in my power as Prime Minister to ensure that those spouting clear anti-Jewish hatred will be swiftly prosecuted within the full force of the law.”

Addressing the 700 guests at the Roundhouse in Camden, Mr Kwarteng reminisced about meeting a Holocaust survivor at a friend’s barmitzvah in 1987, going on to declare: “I think that it’s absolutely vital that those memories are preserved and that truth is remembered.
“But as I’ve observed, this isn’t just about history.

“Sheer evil continues to ravage too many lives and thwart and frustrate too many people.”
To combat current evils, it was imperative “that we remember the appalling instance of human brutality and genocide that was constituted by the Nazi regime and of which there are still living witnesses and a living testimony”.

As Chancellor, he was inundated with requests for support but he could not think of a “worthier cause” to champion than Holocaust education.

“I will always be a strong backer, not only of Jewish friends and the Jewish people but also for friends in Israel and Jewish people across the world, wherever they are, who face even today persecution and hate.”

Proceeds from the night will fund Holocaust education in schools, universities and communities across the country and HET chief executive Karen Pollock said the charity was working on “innovative ways” to preserve Shoah memories as the number of survivors diminished.

“The fact is that survivors won’t be here for ever. And what we lose when we enter a world in which the Holocaust is no longer in living memory is more than just testimony.

“We lose an answer to those who distort and deny the truth; a retort to those who hurl abuse at us. We lose the spirit and the humanity of the past.”

Survivor Manfred Goldberg said he would continue to fight antisemitism “while there is breath in my body”.

But longer term, his memories of the Shoah have been recorded by HET so new generations can learn about the genocide.

“In the future, I will be able to speak to boys and girls who haven’t even been born yet.

“I will be here in a way for ever. My story and my brother’s story, and I hope some of our spirit, will live beyond my lifetime.”

Among the dinner guests was businessman and Channel 4 Countdown host Nick Hewer, who told the JC he had recently travelled to Auschwitz to try to understand a “dreadful period of human history.

“I have an uncle whose family were lost in the Holocaust. Although I’m Catholic, I’ve always been horrified at the terrible trauma he has to suffer. We must never forget.”

Former Chancellor Sajid Javid told the JC that Holocaust education was vital for the young generation.

Discussing the need for security funding to defend Jewish institutions, he added: “In a perfect world, you wouldn’t have to do anything. In recent years, a rise in antisemitic attacks means you have to provide more support.”