"Deeply inappropriate" remarks prompt Jewish leader to walk out of Bolton Holocaust Memorial Service

The Chief Executive of the Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester has walked out of Bolton’s Holocaust Memorial Day service after a speech referencing the war in Gaza, which he later described as “deeply inappropriate”.

The annual commemoration, attended by hundreds of people including schoolchildren, civic leaders and members of the public, was held to remember the six million Jewish people murdered in the Holocaust and to mark 81 years since the liberation of Auschwitz.

During the service, Bolton Council’s deputy leader, Cllr Akhtar Zaman, spoke about genocides around the world. His remarks then turned to the current conflict in the Middle East, noting that some experts have described the situation in Gaza as genocide. The comments prompted Marc Levy to collect his coat and leave the hall, causing him to miss his scheduled reading.

Speaking afterwards, Mr Levy said: “When the keynote speaker felt it appropriate to start discussing other conflicts in the world, especially with a focus on the terrible situation in Gaza - with no context - I felt it was deeply inappropriate because it completely misses the point of what today is meant to be about.

“It is astonishing that whoever signed off that speech felt that it was a compelling reason to do so, because it completely got away from what the day was supposed to be about.

“Today is about the commemoration of those who have genocide committed against them and, whilst the conflict in Gaza is tragic and awful, what it most definitely is not, is a genocide.

“In a room full of children, to reference that with no context or the ability to speak about the atrocities that were committed on October 7th and the hostage taking, it was the politicisation of the Holocaust Memorial Day.

“As a result, I felt unable to stay and attend the rest of the commemoration. The world is a very difficult and dangerous place at the minute, and you have to have responsibilities and sensitivities to all communities.”

Cllr Zaman defended his remarks, saying he had not realised Mr Levy had walked out.

“I can’t possibly comment on how somebody perceives it,” he said. “When I make reference to anything that is happening in the world, I want to bring into focus different aspects of violence and bring into perspective atrocities that are going on in the world. It’s not to target any particular community, it’s to make sure that everybody is included in events like this.”

The service also featured artwork created by Bolton schoolchildren, along with hymns and prayers performed by pupils from St Michael’s Primary School and Bolton School’s girls’ and boys’ divisions.

Holocaust Memorial Day events are taking place across the UK this week.

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