A CHURCH service for Holocaust Memorial Day was not held in Merthyr Tydfil this year because of concerns about adverse reactions to the conflict in Gaza.
Council and South Wales Police representatives attended the Jewish Memorial Cemetery and laid a wreath on the morning of January 26 to mark Holocaust Memorial Day, which is marked worldwide on January 27.
But an annual equality report which went to the council’s corporate support and resources committee on February 18 said Merthyr Leisure Trust informed the council it took the decision not to organise the usual church service due to a shortage of staff and a lack of funding, as well as staff concerns about adverse reactions to the conflict in Gaza.
An event took place in Pontypridd at the memorial in Ynysangharad Park, where local councillors along with officers from South Wales Police and the community safety and cohesion teams were in attendance and a wreath was laid in remembrance.
Councillor Clive Jones asked if it was the intention for January next year for the council to take the lead in organising that.
Councillor Anna Williams-Price, cabinet member for governance and resources, said the advice from the community cohesion team this year was that in light of political sensitivities, to do something privately to mark Holocaust Memorial Day but she noted this hadn’t been communicated to members.
She said the leisure trust had previously done quite a large public event which was a good event but they needed to bear in mind the advice from the community cohesion team for future events.
Cllr Jones said he hoped it can be looked at because people had asked him and other members what the reasons were for it not being held.
Councillor Lisa Mytton said she was “utterly disgraced” and she takes umbrage to it and that they need to explore it and discuss it more fully.
She said they need to consider the same advice for holding LGBTQ events because colleagues, friends and relatives also find those events sensitive and they could also be at risk.
She said the Holocaust Memorial Day is such an important event considering there’s such a large Jewish community in Merthyr Tydfil and the same equality should be given.
