(haipo) – On Thursday, February 27, 2025, Lord Eric Pickles, British Envoy for Post-Holocaust Issues and Chairman of the Holocaust Memorial Foundation, arrived at the Port of Haifa. During the visit, which took place in the company of experts in the city’s history, the Lord learned about the history of the port, its importance to Britain during the Mandate period, and the issue of illegal immigration.
Lord Eric Pickles: Member of Parliament for Special Envoy
Lord Eric Pickles, a former British MP and senior government official, currently plays a significant role in Holocaust remembrance and the fight against anti-Semitism. Among other things, he serves as the UK’s Special Envoy for Post-Holocaust Issues, Chairman of the Holocaust Memorial Foundation in London, and Chairman of the Friends of Israel in the Conservative Party. These roles lead him to promote Jewish issues and work for Holocaust remembrance around the world.
Visiting Haifa Port: History and Heritage
As part of his activities, Lord Pickles requested to visit Haifa Port, one of the most important historical sites in Israel. The purpose of the visit was to learn about the establishment of the port during the British Mandate period, understand its importance to Britain during those years, and delve deeper into the subject of illegal immigration and the illegal immigration ships.
Tour guides: experts in the history of Haifa and illegal immigration
The visit was accompanied by Zohar Rom, spokesman for the Port of Haifa, and Yigal Graeber of the Haifa History Association. The Lord was also joined by Yehudit Shan-Dar, who previously served as the chief curator of Yad Vashem and is currently participating with him in the project to establish a Holocaust memorial in London.
Great interest in Haifa and the port
Lord Pickles showed great interest in the history of the Port of Haifa. During the tour, he asked many questions about the process of establishing the port, its role during the British Mandate, and its impact on the relationship between Britain and the Land of Israel. He demonstrated extensive knowledge in the field and was clearly familiar with the history of Haifa and the major events that took place there.
Tour of the Port Authority's Mandatory Building
One of the highlights of the visit was a tour of the Haifa Port Authority's Mandatory Building - the place from which the British flag was lowered upon the end of the Mandate in Israel. The building, which holds significant historical value, is currently undergoing preservation and renovation, and is expected to reopen as a visitor center next year.
The Legacy of Immigration and the Future Visitors Center
The port of Haifa played a crucial role during the period of illegal immigration, when ships loaded with Jewish refugees attempted to reach the country’s shores despite British restrictions. During his visit, Lord Pickles expressed a deep interest in the stories of the illegal immigrants and the events that took place at the port. The new visitor center, which is set to open in the historic building, will make this information accessible to the general public and preserve the legacy for future generations.
A fascinating visit with an important historical message
Lord Pickles' visit to Haifa Port was significant not only from a historical perspective, but also as part of efforts to preserve the memory of illegal immigration and continue to combat anti-Semitism. He expressed appreciation for his hosts and the efforts of historical preservation in Israel, and emphasized the importance of continued research and education on these issues.
I doubt they told him about the Patriya ship that gathered 3 refugee ships that the British wanted to expel, and in a voluntary action by the Haganah, it blew up its engines and sank in Haifa harbor with hundreds of people who were lost on board, including my grandparents and my uncle. I doubt they took him to the cemetery on the Carmel Beach to show him the graves of children and adults who perished.
Britain did not support the establishment of the State of Israel. It helped the Arabs in the War of Independence and imposed an embargo on Israel. It also supported and supports the Arabs in the war today. It is necessary to remind its representatives who it is. Jews who came to Britain during World War II lived in camps there. Britain supported slavery and occupation and robbed and conquered many countries. When you enter the British National Museum to this day, it contains the robbery instead of returning the exhibits to the countries from which they were robbed.
The British wanted Haifa not to be part of the State of Israel because of the port, the refineries, and more, and that's also part of history. My illegal immigrant mother was deported by them to Cyprus, another of their conquests, as you know. Near our house on Mount Carmel was a British paratrooper base, which, thank God, was only removed in recent years and residential buildings were built on it. Then, as today, money and economic interests characterized Britain, which was, as you know, the greatest conqueror in history. In English law, pirates were recognized as a profession on the condition that they paid taxes to the Queen for the robbery.
It was a very important visit to Haifa. Happy and blessed Shabbat.
Did they also take him to the Exodus Monument located in the port (near the passenger hall)?
Haifa's ports and highways are choking the city and damaging the urban coastline for many kilometers.
Unlike the coastal cities of Ashdod, Shekelon, Netanya, Rishon LeZion, Bat Yam, Tel Aviv, Hadera, the Kiryat, Acre, Nahariya – only Haifa is exceptional in the way that the ports have taken over its entire coastline facing the city and are working to dispossess Haifa of the fuel farms that were supposed to be vacated long ago for a residential neighborhood.
They are also working inward to establish a port city that will separate from Haifa and wanted to create an authority like Ramat Hovav.
Cut off from the city of Haifa. They are working to destroy the Kishon as a metropolitan park and have promoted the establishment of logistics areas to absorb Chinese electronic and chemical waste in huge hangars 30 meters high, like a 10-story wall built on the side of the Kishon. They are working to destroy natural areas for asphalt surfaces for importing vehicles.
We are in a huge planning disaster that has affected the entire city of Haifa, of course the downtown area and Hadar, due to the takeover of the ports.
It's also worth taking him to the Ma'afilip camp in Atlit, which was a detention camp for survivors of illegal immigration.
Eyal, you are not exaggerating at all…
There was a port in Haifa about 150 years before you were born. They will remove the Dagon silo and the entire face of Haifa will be to the sea. Great view. The polluting industry will be removed, it's just a matter of decision and time and everything will improve. Even so, any sensible person understands that Haifa is the most beautiful city in Israel (and unfortunately I'm not from Haifa).