Antisemitism in Ireland Raises Alarm at Holocaust Memorial

At Ireland's national Holocaust Memorial Day ceremony, Prime Minister Micheál Martin delivered a speech that both honored the victims of the Shoah and issued a stern warning about the disturbing rise of Holocaust denial and antisemitism in Irish society.

Addressing survivors, their families, and national leaders, Martin highlighted newly released data from a Claims Conference survey, calling the findings “sobering” and “shocking.” According to the survey, nearly 10% of young Irish adults aged 18 to 29 believe the Holocaust is a myth, while 20% claim its scale is “greatly exaggerated.” Even more startling, 12% of all respondents had never heard of the Holocaust, with that number rising to 15% among the youth.

“The Holocaust is the most clearly documented crime in world history,” Martin said. “This level of ignorance and denial is shocking and must be opposed and dealt with.”

Martin’s message was clear: the future of Holocaust remembrance and the fight against antisemitism hinges on education. He announced a collaborative initiative between Ireland’s Education Ministry, Foreign Affairs Department, and the Jewish Representative Council to provide students with the opportunity to engage directly with Holocaust survivors via video conferencing. This, he emphasized, is a crucial step in combating ignorance and fostering understanding.

He also reaffirmed Ireland's commitment to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's working definition of antisemitism, underscoring the government's position against all forms of hatred.

The Prime Minister paid tribute to Joe Veselsky, Ireland’s oldest Holocaust survivor, who passed away recently. Martin praised his legacy and acknowledged the emotional weight carried by Ireland’s Jewish community during such memorial events.

Martin also took the opportunity to address a recent controversy involving Herzog Park in Dublin. Local councillors had proposed renaming the park, which honors Chaim Herzog an Irish-born former president of Israel without consulting the Jewish community.

“When a group of people decide to rename the only public park in our capital named after an Irish Jew without any consultation, and then announce they will find a Jew they deem ‘worthy enough’ for the new name that is unacceptable,” Martin said firmly. “The community has every right to be deeply concerned.”

Martin concluded his remarks with a call to collective action: “It is vital that all of us actively remember the horror of the Holocaust and redouble our efforts to ensure that the antisemitism and racism that enabled it are never again allowed to take hold.”

As the world continues to witness rising antisemitism, Ireland's leadership is taking a critical step forward. Standing with its Jewish community, the country is reaffirming a moral obligation to remember, to educate, and to stand against hate.

Am Yisrael Chai. If you found this article meaningful, please share it with others or consider subscribing to our newsletter.