TÁNAISTE SIMON HARRIS described rising antisemitism in Ireland and around the world as “an attack on history” today.

Harris and other senior Government figures are due to gather at Royal Hospital Kilmainham in Dublin to commemorate National Holocaust Memorial Day later this afternoon.

Harris said: “The Holocaust was an unimaginable horror, and it is to our great shame that we have still not learnt its lessons.”

The Holocaust was the persecution and murder of six million European Jews by Nazi Germany and its allies from 1933 to 1945.

Earlier this week, a survey on Holocaust awareness found that almost 10% of young adults in Ireland believe the Holocaust is a myth, and almost 20% believe that although it did happen, the number of Jews killed was greatly exaggerated.

Harris said that it is “profoundly disturbing” that an increasing number of young people in Ireland and elsewhere have a “basic lack of awareness and understanding of the Holocaust”.

The Fine Gael leader criticised the rise in antisemitism and Holocaust denial as “evil”.

“It is an insult to the memory of all who lost their lives in the Holocaust, the millions of people who were persecuted and murdered because of prejudice and lies,” Harris said.

He promised to stand with Ireland’s Jewish community.

“We hear your fears, and we promise to stand with you. Your safety, your dignity, your right to live without fear is fundamental and non-negotiable.”

Harris, Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan, and Lord Mayor Ray McAdam are to attend the memorial today, with Martin delivering the keynote address.

The ceremony includes readings, survivors’ recollections, music, the Scroll of Names and candle lighting.

Holocaust survivors Suzi Diamond and Tomi Reichental are participating in the commemoration alongside representatives of second and third generations of survivors.

The Scroll of Names will see school pupils read the names of relatives who perished in the Holocaust, all belonging to Irish people.