Three Jewish veterans of the Second World War, whose bravery helped defeat Nazi tyranny, have voiced profound concern over the alarming rise of antisemitism in modern Britain. Joe Slyper, 106, Don Breslaw, 102, and Solly Ohayon, 99, fought proudly for their country but now fear a resurgence of the hatred they once battled against.
A Generation's Sacrifice and Modern Disquiet
While the trio remain largely positive about Britain, they believe anti-Jewish sentiment today has reached levels they did not experience in their youth. Their reflections follow fellow centenarian veteran Alec Penstone, who in November stunned Good Morning Britain viewers by suggesting the sacrifice of his lost generation 'wasn't worth' it given today's climate.
Don Breslaw, conscripted at 19, sombrely concluded: 'We've always been different - and when people are different, people tend to find cause to dislike us.' The veterans spoke to the Daily Mail in wide-ranging interviews, comparing wartime Britain to the nation of 2024.
Wartime Service and Post-War Reflections
Joe Slyper, believed to be the oldest living Jewish man in the UK, was among the first to sign up after war was declared. Born in Mile End, East London in 1919, he recalls a happy, simpler childhood before serving as a signaller and training instructor. Despite applying for frontline postings, his skills were deemed too vital, a decision he calls 'luck'. His close friend, Alf Hirschman, was killed in action in Salerno, Italy.
Joe married his sweetheart Rose in 1940 during a three-day leave and dedicated 50 post-war years to fundraising for the Association of Jewish Ex-Servicemen & Women (AJEX), raising what would now equate to over £4 million. He sees modern life as 'completely different', filled with technology, but worries deeply about persistent hatred. 'It's terrible to think that there's still so many that hate the Jewish people,' he said.
Don Breslaw, who shares a birthday and care home with Joe, served as a gunner and radio operator. His war took him from Algiers to the brutal fighting at Italy's Gothic Line. He recalls little antisemitism during his service but is saddened by its rise today, particularly since the October 7 attacks in Israel. 'It feels like we have the world against us,' he stated. Remarkably, Don earned a BSc from the Open University at age 87.
Solly Ohayon, the youngest at 99, volunteered at 17 when the army was desperate for men after D-Day. He served in Normandy and Holland, surviving several near-misses he attributes to luck and his mother's prayers. He later married Bertha, a Kindertransport survivor. Solly acknowledges the current climate is different, saying plainly: 'There's a lot of antisemitism now, which is terrible.'
A Legacy of Courage and a Warning for the Future
All three veterans emphasise the importance of their service in defeating Nazism, but their experiences frame a worrying perspective on contemporary society. Dan Fox, national chair of AJEX, paid tribute, calling them from the 'greatest generation' to whom we owe all we have today.
Their individual messages to young people blend hard-won wisdom with hope: to work hard and make the best of life, to respect elders, and to stay active. Yet, their collective witness stands as a powerful reminder that the fight against racial hatred, which they thought they had won, requires eternal vigilance.
