This week the United Kingdom has celebrated the 80th anniversary since VE Day – Victory in Europe. On 8th May 1945, men, women and children poured onto the streets of Britain to celebrate victory over Nazi tyranny and an end of fighting in Europe. Part of this liberation was of course bringing about the end of atrocities inflicted on the Jewish people for more than a decade. The evil perpetrated by the Nazis against Jews was yet to be revealed in its full extent, but one thing was clear to those of that “greatest generation” that sat down to tea-parties that happy day in May – the Allies had won, and evil was defeated. The outcome was freedom at a cost, but a cause worthy of great sacrifice.
Among the tea parties draped in bunting was Dollis Hill, London. The photo shows Jewish children sitting around a large table in the middle of the street. Their happy faces demonstrating signs of relief like many of those who experienced Britain at war. These children were perhaps among the nearly 10,000 Jewish children that found sanctuary in Britain. Many people will rightly question why and how more were not given refuge, but one cannot overlook that for these precious children, Britain was a place of safety for the Jewish people in the Jewish people’s darkest hour – if it wasn’t for the bravery of those who fought the enemy, Britain might not have been safe at all.
Behind the smiles is the solemn knowledge that many members of their family might not have survived the genocide inflicted by the Nazis. Each child in the photo would later discover their own story of life after the Holocaust.
Under no circumstances must the streets of Britain be an unsafe place for Jews. But that is the sad reality for many Jews living in Britain in 2025. This week, a terror plot was foiled by British intelligence that was hours away from being committed. The target would have been the Israeli embassy in London. A ring of Iranian-linked terrorists were arrested in broad daylight on streets in various towns and cities in Britain. We must thank the Lord that the plan was thwarted. Continue to pray for police and other security services. And let us pray for Israelis and Jews in Britain.
In WWII, freedom came at a cost. Peace came after victory. But freedom and peace are in great danger today if evil is not confronted head-on. We pray that the streets in Britain will be a safe place for Jews today. We pray that Jews will be able to live peacefully again – without living in fear – with a full certainty that the United Kingdom is a true friend of Israel and a secure home for Jews. This means we MUST stand up against antisemitism. We MUST speak out against evil. And we MUST protect freedom at all costs. If we don’t do so, the sacrifice made by “the greatest generation” is in vain. We will not let that happen. We will stand with Israel and the Jewish people. Amen.
