The Prince of Wales has said the lessons of the Holocaust are in danger of being forgotten, in remarks which have been linked by some to Donald Trump’s ban on Syrian refugees entering the US.
The heir to the throne was speaking at the annual dinner of World Jewish Relief three days after Trump signed an executive order indefinitely banning Syrian refugees and suspending entry for people from seven Muslim countries.
The prince told the charity dinner: “In my own life, I have always tried to reach across the boundaries of faith and community; to extend a helping hand wherever one might be needed.”
The charity’s work was particularly needed “at a time when the horrific lessons of the last war seem to be in increasing danger of being forgotten”, he added.
His comments also came amid a furore over Theresa May’s invitation to the US president to make an official state visit to the UK. More than 1.6 million people have signed a petition to withdraw the invitation, and Lord Ricketts, the former Foreign Office permanent secretary, has suggested delaying Trump’s state visit by up to three years to save the Queen embarrassment. Prince Charles would be expected to take part in hosting Trump and his entourage.
Charles has previously made similar comments about the lessons of the Holocaust, and is thought to have drafted his speech to the WJR event before the Friday’s announcement of the executive order. However, the prince’s espousal of interfaith relations means he is likely to view Trump’s actions with dismay. Another of the prince’s key themes, climate change, is also under fire by the new US administration.
Ephraim Mirvis, chief rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth, was explicit in his condemnation of Trump’s executive order at the dinner on Monday night. “There are so many millions of refugees are receiving no hope from countries closing their borders to them – and not much hope from the United States of America of all countries. President Trump has signed an executive order that seeks to discriminate based totally on religion or nationality,” he said.
“We as Jews, perhaps more than any others, know what it’s like to be the victims of discrimination.”
Rabbi Mirvis added: “In the Jewish religion, when it comes to acts of kindness and benevolence, we recognise no borders. Wherever he or she might be, they are counted as what we call mishpacha – part of our global family.”
