Communities Secretary Eric Pickles praised Polish resistance on a visit to Warsaw Zoo today, where more than 300 Jews were hidden during the Holocaust.
He commended Jan Żabiński, who was director of the zoo during the Nazi occupation of Poland, for saving the lives of Jews.
Mr Żabiński, who was recognised by Yad Vashem as a Righteous Among the Nations, hid more than 300 Jews in animal cages and his home on the zoo’s grounds during the war.
Mr Pickles said: "It is an honour to see this great example of Polish defiance of the Nazis. Through the bravery of the zoo director a new generation of hope was born.”
He went on to visit the Żabiński family villa and saw the tombstones that were stolen from the Jewish cemetery and used to rebuild the zoo after the war.
The visit was organised by the From the Depths Foundation, a charity founded by British organiser Jonny Daniels which is dedicated to preserving Holocaust education.
Mr Daniels, a former Hasmonean High School student, said: "We are so honoured to have the opportunity to show this important site to the Secretary of State, it is crucial that whilst millions come every year to visit the concentration camps, they too should visit sites of heroism, sites that encourage our faith in humanity.
“Especially with the terrific rise in antisemitism we are seeing all over Europe. We must too understand that good people can stand up and make a difference.”
The charity is now working towards returning the stolen tombstones to the local Jewish cemetery.
Sarah Tiffin, deputy head of mission at the British embassy in Warsaw, said: “This is a moving testimonial to the courage of those prepared to risk their own lives to protect others from hatred and violence. Seventy years on, we can all still learn from the example set by director Żabiński and his family."
Ewa Zbonikowska, the deputy director of Warsaw Zoo, added: "It is our privilege to have the Secretary of State as our first official visitor to the new exhibition in the villa where our former director saved over 300 Jews.”
