The Holocaust 'still has lessons for humanity today', says Boris Johnson

The London Mayor is in Israel on a three-day trade mission

London Mayor Boris Johnson lays a wreath during a ceremony in the Hall of Remembrance at Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem (Reuters)

The Holocaust "still has lessons for humanity today", Boris Johnson has said on a visit to Israel's official memorial to the millions of victims.

The London Mayor placed a wreath in Yad Vashem's Hall of Remembrance, where a stone crypt contains ashes of those who died in the extermination camps and a flame burns continuously.

He was given a guided tour of the sprawling site in Jerusalem and urged people to never forget the "truth of what happened" in a signed message in the museum's guestbook.

Mr Johnson's arrival in Jerusalem marks the start of the second leg of a three-day trade mission to Israel and the Palestinian territories.

Speaking after his visit to Yad Vashem, the Conservative MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip said it has changed hugely since he first visited and noted it is "perhaps even more powerful and shattering" than he remembered.

He told reporters: "What I've written here is 'No-one must ever forget the truth of what happened and this museum will ensure that the lesson of that horror will stay in our hearts forever'.

"It's very important we do remember what happened and do understand that truth, because I'm afraid it still has lessons for humanity today."

Mr Johnson added that he was struck by the "extraordinary hope" presented to museum visitors as they left and stepped "into the light" of Jerusalem.

He added: "And you understand the colossal, vital and historic importance of creating, ensuring and defending a homeland for the Jewish people."

PA