THERE were controversial scenes at a Holocaust Memorial event held in the Harlow Council chambers on Sunday evening.

Over the last few years, holocaust services have also referenced wars and other genocides in history such as Rwanda, Bosnia, Cambodia to name just three.

But in the middle of a performance by performing arts group Razed Roof ,a member made a statement about Gaza.

He said: “In 2023, 70,000 Palestinians in Gaza Strip are indiscriminately killed by the State of Israel.”

There were shouts from the assembled audience and people were clearly upset.

When Rabbi Irit Shillor, of the Harlow Jewish Community, who led the service, returned to the microphone, she said: “I’d just like to note that the last statement is a statement of opinion. It’s not fact”

The incident happened in the 47th minute of our film below.

The whole event was a moving ceremony under the title of Bridging Generations

Speeches were made by the chair of Harlow Council, Cllr Andrew Johnson, Harlow MP Chris Vince, the leader of Harlow Council, Dan Swords.

Other speakers included Co-Founder of the Ghana Union, Helen Verrier, President of the Harlow Hindu Society, Nishall Garala, Area Dean of Harlow, Rev Darren McIndoe and many others.

Not only was there the lighting of six candles but also a number of pieces called 80 Objects and 80 Lives.

The film of the event is below.