Bench commemorating Holocaust survivor destroyed in Salford

Image: Campaign Against Antisemitism

Police are conducting investigations after a bench commemorating a local Holocaust survivor was found smashed and dumped into the boating lake at Clowes Park in Salford.

The bench was fitted with an audio box, which told the story of the late Chaim Ferster, who had moved to Salford after surviving eight Nazi death camps including Auschwitz - where 30 of his relatives died.

The damage has described as "a disgusting act of vandalism", by the Campaign Against Antisemitism, saying: "The memories of Holocaust survivors must be preserved. Instead, they are being destroyed."

Chaim Ferster. Image: BBC News

The bench was installed by Salford Council in 2019 to commemorate the life of Chaim Ferster, who died in 2017, aged 94.

He was taken from his original home in Sosnowiec, Poland, as a 20-year-old in 1943 but survived the brutality of the Nazis as well as malnutrition and typhus. His mother, father and two sisters were killed during the Holocaust.

His son, Stuart Ferster, said at the time of the passing of his father: "His greatest fear was that people would forget the horrors of the Holocaust. That is why he spent so much time giving lectures in schools and colleges."

The bench fitted with an audio box told the story of the local Holocaust survivor. Image: NW Friends of Israel

Salford City Mayor, Paul Dennett, said: “We are deeply saddened and appalled by the mindless vandalism and destruction of the Holocaust Memorial bench in Clowes Park. I have personally been in contact with Mr Chaim Ferster's youngest son and community representatives to offer our sincerest condolences and full support at this time.

“Working with Mr Chaim Ferster's family and our local Jewish community, the City Council will also seek to address concerns of safety and security within Clowes Park and restore and repair the Holocaust Memorial Bench, so it can be rightfully put back into place and serve, once again, as a place of peace and reflection.

"Hate has no place in our great diverse and vibrant City of Salford and we stand shoulder to shoulder with our all our residents & communities in the face of such adversity, showing the Spirit of Salford in all that we do!”

The Board of Deputies of British Jews said: "Acts like this must be treated with utmost seriousness. Such hate must not be shrugged off unchallenged."

North West Friends of Israel said: "This despicable act shows why we must always stand up to Jew hatred and challenge all those who seek to destroy us. We are not Jews with trembling knees."

Greater Manchester Police said: "We take these kinds of incidents extremely seriously and are following all lines of enquiry."

What are your thoughts? Leave a comment below, or get in touch.