A number of senior Jewish figures questioned whether the memorial would serve its educational purpose while local residents expressed concerns that it would ruin Victoria Tower Gardens, where it will be located.
Mr Jenrick said: “I am delighted the planning has been approved and I think it is hugely important that the memorial will be built in a prominent location where thousands of people will be able to see it.”
Mr Jenrick, who is married to the daughter of Holocaust survivors and whose children are being brought up as Jewish, said he recognised the concerns about the park. But he insisted: “When I am in London I also like to take my children to the park with our dog and a great amount of effort is going to be taken to preserve that,” he said.
The Communities Secretary revealed he had been subjected to “antisemitic smears” over his role in the planning process.
But it only made him “feel stronger about the importance of it. Even now if you look at the replies to my tweets celebrating the memorial you will see antisemitism. It is a reminder of how prevalent antisemitism is in our society. It is the oldest form of hatred, and we need to do what we can to challenge it and education is going to be key to that.” He said it was a “profound” experience to speak to survivors such as Lily Ebert, Ben Helfgott and Susan Pollack during the planning process. “I am just hugely grateful to them, it was a very heartening moment to get the approval and be able to be there with them and to see it through. They are some of the most impressive people that I have ever met and I hope that they can be there when we break ground but also that we will get it built in their lifetimes.”
He said the plan was to make the memorial free to access for as many people as possible, with a focus on students and schoolchildren.
The build and all associated costs are expected to reach £100m, £75m of which has been pledged in a government grant. Property tycoon and philanthropist Gerald Ronson has been tasked with raising a further £25m through charitable donations. The work is expected to start later this year and be completed in three years’ time.
