Communities Secretary Sajid Javid has urged people not to turn away from antisemitism and “call it out” when they see it.
Mr Javid said: “We have to object when a line is crossed from legitimate debate to smears and abuse.
“Ultimately, we have to be prepared to do that most un-British of things — we have to make a scene.”
@sajidjavid speaking @HolocaustUK event @UKHouseofLords - many lessons from how the #Holocaust begun still sadly relevant today #HMD2017 pic.twitter.com/bJFAN7dRK5
— Adam Savitz (@AdamSavitz) January 18, 2017
He said individuals had a responsibility to challenge racism in any context or setting, be it in public, or online.
He said: “In fact anywhere, from the top deck of a bus to right here in Parliament. What’s certain is if we don’t speak out against hatred and antisemitism it will become normalised. And once that happens, the consequences will be tragic.”
'Ultimately we must be prepared to do that most un-British of things, we must make a scene' @sajidjavid says at reception with Noemie Lopian
— H.E.T. (@HolocaustUK) January 18, 2017
Mr Javid made the comments in a speech at a Holocaust Educational Trust reception in Parliament today.
He stressed the importance of not “lazily reaching for glib comparisons” in political debate.
Calling critics “Nazis” or claiming something was “just like the Holocaust,” should be avoided, he said.
