A group of 11 Holocaust survivors has written an open letter to Nigel Farage, calling on the Reform UK leader to tell the truth and apologise for alleged antisemitic comments made during his school days at Dulwich College. The survivors, including Hedi Argent who lost 27 family members in the Holocaust, said: 'As Holocaust survivors, we understand the danger of hateful words – because we have seen where such words lead.'
The letter challenges Farage directly: 'Did you say “Hitler was right” and “gas them,” mimicking gas chambers? Did you subject your classmates to antisemitic abuse?' The survivors stressed that 'praising Hitler, mocking gas chambers, or hurling racist abuse is not banter. Not in a playground. Not anywhere.'
The intervention follows a Guardian investigation in which 28 former pupils and teachers said they witnessed racist or antisemitic behaviour by Farage. Peter Ettedgui, a BAFTA-winning director who is Jewish, said Farage would tell him 'Hitler was right' and 'gas them', sometimes hissing to simulate gas chambers. Eight other contemporaries have corroborated the claims.
Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice dismissed the testimony as 'made-up twaddle', but the survivors have asked Farage whether he is accusing the witnesses of lying. They said: 'If you deny saying those words, are you saying that 20 former classmates and teachers are lying? If you did say them, now is the time to acknowledge you were wrong, and apologise.'
Other former pupils from minority backgrounds have also come forward. Cyrus Oshidar said Farage called him a 'Paki', while another Asian heritage student described Farage as an 'open racist' who would say 'Enoch Powell was right' as a form of intimidation. The survivors concluded: 'This moment is about moral responsibility. The choice is yours, Mr Farage.'
