The Rt Hon John Bercow MP, Speaker of The House Of Commons, joins Israeli Ambassador to the court of St James’s, HE Daniel Taub, in a ceremony to commemorate 31 years for the assassination of Israeli Ambassador, Shlomo Argov.
A memorial ceremony in remembrance of Ambassador Argov, attended by family members, Diplomats, Lords and MPs, was held today (Thursday 7th March) in Parliament.
The keynote speaker at the event was The Rt. Hon. John Bercow MP, Speaker of The House Of Commons, who has said that “Upon one thing as democrats and freedom lovers, we should be united and utterly unyielding- and that is the principal that people should be allowed and encouraged to go about their lawful business- without the threat that they will be victims of a monstrous act of barbarity- such as was the tragic experience of Ambassador Argov”
The Rt Hon Louise Ellman MP has stated that “It is very fitting that we’re here in the heart of parliamentary democracy, and that the event has been attended by the speaker of the house of commons- putting the authority of the whole of parliament behind this event”
Speaking at the event, Ambassador Taub said: “It is only fitting that we should have this ceremony here in the Houses of Parliament, because the attack on Ambassador Argov wasn’t simply an assault on Israel, it was an assault on Britain – on British soil and on British values. Perhaps the deepest and most lasting memorial that we can give to Shlomo Argov, is to continue his work to deepen and strengthen the ties between our countries.
On 3 June 1982, Ambassador Argov attended a banquet at the Dorchester Hotel, in Park Lane, London. After the event he got into his car when three men approached him and shot him in the head from point blank. He was critically injured, and has remained in a coma for three months.
Argov died ten years ago at Hadassah Hospital, aged 73, from the injuries inflicted in the attack. He had been paralyzed and in permanent hospital care for 21 years.
(Photo: Yakir Zur Photography)