Ed and David Miliband have expressed their condolences following the passing of their mother at the age of 91. Marion Kozak, a Holocaust survivor and advocate for left-wing causes, was announced to have passed away on Saturday. The siblings remembered her as a strong presence of life and love, describing her as a cherished mother, grandmother, and sister. They highlighted her remarkable journey from surviving the Holocaust in Poland as a child to finding solace and happiness in the UK, where she dedicated herself to teaching and fighting for justice. They expressed deep sorrow at her loss but vowed to uphold her values and spirit.
Originally named Dobra Jenta Kozak, she managed to escape the Czestochowa Ghetto in 1942 during the Nazi occupation with her mother and sister. She was harbored by nuns and later by a neighbor of her aunt in Warsaw, ultimately surviving the war due to the kindness of strangers, as mentioned by her son, Ed, at the 2012 Labour Party conference.
During an official visit to Poland in 2009 while serving as Foreign Secretary, David Miliband honored those who had protected his mother, emphasizing that her life was saved by individuals who risked their own safety to shelter her from Nazi persecution. Ms. Kozak settled in the UK after the war, marrying Ralph Miliband, a left-wing academic, and dedicating herself to human rights activism and early involvement in the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.
In a poignant moment during his 2012 conference address, Ed Miliband humorously noted his mother’s probable disagreement with his political views, highlighting her kindness. However, he drew a parallel between her escape from the Nazis and his own political beliefs, emphasizing the importance of standing against injustice and uniting people to overcome challenges.
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