A Conservative peer has come under fire for remarks widely criticized as antisemitic after suggesting that Jewish people should fund a proposed Holocaust memorial in London because they have “an awful lot of money.”
Lord Archie Hamilton, a former minister under Margaret Thatcher and John Major, made the comments during a Lords debate concerning the construction of the Holocaust Memorial and Education Centre in Victoria Tower Gardens, near Parliament.
Opponents of the project argue that the park is too small to accommodate the memorial. Hamilton, who lives nearby, expressed his opposition, questioning why taxpayers’ money should finance the initiative when, in his view, the Jewish community could cover the costs.
“I do not understand why the government has volunteered taxpayers’ money, when there is so little of it, to finance this. The Jewish community in Britain has an awful lot of money. It has a lot of education charities that would contribute towards this. I do not understand why they should not pay for their own memorial.”
Lord Archie Hamilton
His remarks were swiftly challenged by Ian Austin, a former Labour MP who now sits as a crossbench peer. Austin emphasized that the memorial was not exclusively for the Jewish community but “for everybody.” Hamilton, however, persisted in his stance, stating, “I take that point, but the driving forces behind putting up this memorial are the Jewish people in this country.”
“They are people who have property everywhere. I do not see why they should not fund it.”
Lord Archie Hamilton
The peer further defended himself by revealing that he has “plenty of Jewish blood” and is a member of the Conservative Friends of Israel.
Austin later condemned Hamilton’s statements as “completely unacceptable,” urging the Conservative Party to take disciplinary action.
“How many antisemitic caricatures is it possible to get in one speech? It is shocking to hear comments like this in a debate about the Holocaust. It shows that antisemitism remains a real problem – even in Parliament – but it does show why a memorial that focuses on anti-Jewish racism is still necessary.”
Ian Austin
Danny Stone, CEO of the Antisemitism Policy Trust, echoed these concerns, stating that Hamilton’s comments were “ill-judged, racist and false,” and reflected a “lack of knowledge and understanding about the Jewish community and what the Holocaust memorial is for.”
Stone also criticized the failure of parliamentary leaders to challenge Hamilton’s rhetoric during the debate, vowing to work with lawmakers to prevent such discourse from going unaddressed in the future.
Apology Amid Mounting Pressure
As public backlash grew, Hamilton issued a statement retracting his remarks and offering an apology.
“My remarks were not intended to be antisemitic and I apologize unreservedly. With hindsight, having read my comments, I realize that my remarks were insensitive and I apologize. I intend to meet with groups from the Jewish community in order to understand how to communicate about issues affecting British Jews.”
Lord Archie Hamilton
Despite the apology, the incident has intensified scrutiny over the ongoing debate regarding the memorial’s location and funding.
The plan for the Holocaust Memorial and Education Centre was first announced in 2015 under former Prime Minister David Cameron’s government. The project gained approval in 2021 following a public inquiry, despite concerns from conservationists and local residents who argue that Victoria Tower Gardens is too small for such a significant structure.
The initiative has received support from major Jewish organizations, but some critics, including crossbench peer Ruth Deech — whose father fled the Nazis — have expressed concerns over the soaring costs, now estimated to exceed £190 million. Deech, who spoke during the Lords debate, called for “fiscal discipline” in managing the project’s finances.
As such, the controversy surrounding Hamilton’s remarks has further fueled discussions on antisemitism, historical remembrance, and the role of public funds in preserving the legacy of the Holocaust.
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