BBUK ADVOCACY News

B'nai B'rith welcomes the return of Ran Gvili's body to Israel, fulfilling Israel's sacred mission to bring home all hostages from Gaza. Such news brings mixed emotions, given that Ran never had the chance to be reunited with his family in life, but we are thankful that he has been laid to rest. We are reminded of the immense sacrifices Israel makes to safeguard its citizens and the heavy price it must pay for peace. World leaders must now insist on the next phases of the plan for Gaza. They must demand the disarming of Hamas and the deradicalisation of Palestinian society, allowing new leadership to emerge that can genuinely build a better future for the inhabitants of that shattered enclave. We look forward to advocating a new pathway for Israelis and Palestinians that can bring both peoples peace, justice and prosperity. . Dr Jeremy Havardi Director, Bureau of International Affairs

B'nai B'rith UK salutes the courage and defiance shown by millions of brave Iranians as they take to the streets against their government. It is now clear that the demonstrations and protests are taking place in hundreds of cities across all of Iran's provinces as ordinary people vent their fury at an oppressive and tyrannical regime. They oppose Iran's economic mismanagement and corruption but also its strategy of spreading terror throughout the Middle East in the service of a hateful ideology. So many of these people want better relations with the West, especially with Israel, and lament their country's isolation on the international stage. But right now, they face a draconian crackdown that has reportedly claimed dozens of lives, though the true figure may not be known due to censorship. We call on all western governments to show solidarity with these brave Iranian citizens and condemn their government's murderous response. We call on the UK government to proscribe the IRGC and sanction all other state entities that spread terror. We look forward to the day when Iranians can express themselves as a free nation and co-operate with their neighbours in a new era of regional peace and prosperity. Dr Jeremy Havardi Director, Bureau of International Affairs

B’nai B’rith UK welcomes the joint statement issued by the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police and the Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police, which states that the forces will act decisively and make arrests if anti-Israel demonstrators use hateful chants in public. For two years, B’nai B’rith UK has spoken with the Metropolitan Police, ministers and MPs, urging them to take forceful action against those who chant for a ‘global intifada’. This phrase is a call to arms against Jews and we saw its lethal consequences at Bondi Beach three days ago. We now hope that the police will translate words into action and that their approach is adopted by police forces throughout the UK. While we welcome any positive development in protecting the Jewish community, we will continue to exhort the authorities to take more stringent measures to reduce antisemitism. This should include enhanced security at all Jewish communal events, preventing all anti-Israel marches near synagogues and prosecutions for preachers who verbally attack Jews and Zionism.

B’nai B’rith UK is devastated to hear of the appalling slaughter at the ‘Chanukah by the Sea’ event at Bondi Beach. We understand that 12 people have been killed and we would like to wish their families a long life, as well as a speedy recovery to the injured. Our thoughts are with the Jewish community in Australia at a time when so many were celebrating a festival of light and joy. For two years, there has been a tsunami of hatred directed at Jews in Australia, as there has been around the world. The authorities must tackle this scourge of hatred and prejudice with robust measures rather than words.

Bureau of International Affairs Zoom Meeting with Jayne Wynick

Bureau of International Affairs: recent articles in the Daily Express

B'nai B'rith UK notes the resignations of Director General Tim Davie and Deborah Turness, the head of BBC News, in light of the fallout from the Prescott report. The report highlights the systemic bias and agenda driven nature of much BBC journalism on many issues, including its coverage of the Middle East. It shows how BBC Arabic sought to downplay Israeli suffering after October 7 by using reporters sympathetic to Hamas and how BBC News refused to contextualise Israeli actions in the war. These damning revelations merely compound a litany of failures that have caused deep anguish for the UK Jewish community. The BBC refused to call Hamas a terror organisation, livestreamed an incendiary chant from Bob Vylan at Glastonbury and produced a documentary featuring the son of a Hamas minister. These resignations must be the start of a process in which the prevailing cultural orthodoxy on issues related to Jews, Zionism and Israel is challenged from within. Only then can the BBC regain the trust of the Jewish community, and the British public as a whole.

B’nai B’rith UK is appalled by the decision of Birmingham City Council's Safety Advisory Group, as recommended by the West Midlands Police, to ban the fans of Maccabi Tel Aviv from attending the November 6 Europa League match against Aston Villa in Birmingham. This has been done for on the grounds that it is ‘high risk’ and that the safety of travelling Israeli fans may be compromised. Yet it is an egregious decision to ban or discriminate against the victims of prejudice, something that completely violates all standard protocols of anti-racism. Worse, it appears that the authorities have simply capitulated to a campaign of extremism from local figures. Iqbal Mohamed MP, in a statement on X, welcomed the ban as it would stop “Israeli hooligans and terrorists” from being able to “run riot in our country”. In a chilling threat, Muslim imam Asrar Rashid declared in a video that, “We will show no mercy toward Maccabi Tel Aviv fans who will arrive in several weeks for the match against Aston Villa.” These words are inflammatory and represent a clear form of incitement. If there are genuine safety concerns, the police could increase their presence or, in the worst case scenario, the match itself could be relocated. To prevent Israeli fans from travelling to the game sends out a clear message that they are not welcome in the United Kingdom.  Given the rampant levels of antisemitism we have witnessed recently, this would also further alienate British Jews, still reeling from the murderous Yom Kippur attack in Manchester on 2nd October. It is now essential that this ban is reversed and the Chief Constable of the West Midlands Police held to account for this divisive and poorly judged decision

B’nai B’rith UK rejoices in the return of all 20 living hostages to Israel. We have waited for this momentous day for so long and we share in the joy and relief of their families. We hope that the hostages have all the support they need to make a speedy recovery from their unspeakable ordeal. We also share in the grief of those families that have received the remains of their loved ones and wish them long life. We extend our thanks to President Trump for making this day come and hope that his vision for peace and co-existence comes to pass. At the same time, we are outraged that Hamas has withheld the remains of the remaining hostages. It is now essential that the world demands their swift return in order to bring some much needed closure for their families.

B'nai B'rith welcomes the return of Ran Gvili's body to Israel, fulfilling Israel's sacred mission to bring home all hostages from Gaza. Such news brings mixed emotions, given that Ran never had the chance to be reunited with his family in life, but we are thankful that he has been laid to rest. We are reminded of the immense sacrifices Israel makes to safeguard its citizens and the heavy price it must pay for peace. World leaders must now insist on the next phases of the plan for Gaza. They must demand the disarming of Hamas and the deradicalisation of Palestinian society, allowing new leadership to emerge that can genuinely build a better future for the inhabitants of that shattered enclave. We look forward to advocating a new pathway for Israelis and Palestinians that can bring both peoples peace, justice and prosperity. . Dr Jeremy Havardi Director, Bureau of International Affairs

B'nai B'rith UK salutes the courage and defiance shown by millions of brave Iranians as they take to the streets against their government. It is now clear that the demonstrations and protests are taking place in hundreds of cities across all of Iran's provinces as ordinary people vent their fury at an oppressive and tyrannical regime. They oppose Iran's economic mismanagement and corruption but also its strategy of spreading terror throughout the Middle East in the service of a hateful ideology. So many of these people want better relations with the West, especially with Israel, and lament their country's isolation on the international stage. But right now, they face a draconian crackdown that has reportedly claimed dozens of lives, though the true figure may not be known due to censorship. We call on all western governments to show solidarity with these brave Iranian citizens and condemn their government's murderous response. We call on the UK government to proscribe the IRGC and sanction all other state entities that spread terror. We look forward to the day when Iranians can express themselves as a free nation and co-operate with their neighbours in a new era of regional peace and prosperity. Dr Jeremy Havardi Director, Bureau of International Affairs

B’nai B’rith UK welcomes the joint statement issued by the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police and the Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police, which states that the forces will act decisively and make arrests if anti-Israel demonstrators use hateful chants in public. For two years, B’nai B’rith UK has spoken with the Metropolitan Police, ministers and MPs, urging them to take forceful action against those who chant for a ‘global intifada’. This phrase is a call to arms against Jews and we saw its lethal consequences at Bondi Beach three days ago. We now hope that the police will translate words into action and that their approach is adopted by police forces throughout the UK. While we welcome any positive development in protecting the Jewish community, we will continue to exhort the authorities to take more stringent measures to reduce antisemitism. This should include enhanced security at all Jewish communal events, preventing all anti-Israel marches near synagogues and prosecutions for preachers who verbally attack Jews and Zionism.

B’nai B’rith UK is devastated to hear of the appalling slaughter at the ‘Chanukah by the Sea’ event at Bondi Beach. We understand that 12 people have been killed and we would like to wish their families a long life, as well as a speedy recovery to the injured. Our thoughts are with the Jewish community in Australia at a time when so many were celebrating a festival of light and joy. For two years, there has been a tsunami of hatred directed at Jews in Australia, as there has been around the world. The authorities must tackle this scourge of hatred and prejudice with robust measures rather than words.

B'nai B'rith UK notes the resignations of Director General Tim Davie and Deborah Turness, the head of BBC News, in light of the fallout from the Prescott report. The report highlights the systemic bias and agenda driven nature of much BBC journalism on many issues, including its coverage of the Middle East. It shows how BBC Arabic sought to downplay Israeli suffering after October 7 by using reporters sympathetic to Hamas and how BBC News refused to contextualise Israeli actions in the war. These damning revelations merely compound a litany of failures that have caused deep anguish for the UK Jewish community. The BBC refused to call Hamas a terror organisation, livestreamed an incendiary chant from Bob Vylan at Glastonbury and produced a documentary featuring the son of a Hamas minister. These resignations must be the start of a process in which the prevailing cultural orthodoxy on issues related to Jews, Zionism and Israel is challenged from within. Only then can the BBC regain the trust of the Jewish community, and the British public as a whole.

B’nai B’rith UK is appalled by the decision of Birmingham City Council's Safety Advisory Group, as recommended by the West Midlands Police, to ban the fans of Maccabi Tel Aviv from attending the November 6 Europa League match against Aston Villa in Birmingham. This has been done for on the grounds that it is ‘high risk’ and that the safety of travelling Israeli fans may be compromised. Yet it is an egregious decision to ban or discriminate against the victims of prejudice, something that completely violates all standard protocols of anti-racism. Worse, it appears that the authorities have simply capitulated to a campaign of extremism from local figures. Iqbal Mohamed MP, in a statement on X, welcomed the ban as it would stop “Israeli hooligans and terrorists” from being able to “run riot in our country”. In a chilling threat, Muslim imam Asrar Rashid declared in a video that, “We will show no mercy toward Maccabi Tel Aviv fans who will arrive in several weeks for the match against Aston Villa.” These words are inflammatory and represent a clear form of incitement. If there are genuine safety concerns, the police could increase their presence or, in the worst case scenario, the match itself could be relocated. To prevent Israeli fans from travelling to the game sends out a clear message that they are not welcome in the United Kingdom.  Given the rampant levels of antisemitism we have witnessed recently, this would also further alienate British Jews, still reeling from the murderous Yom Kippur attack in Manchester on 2nd October. It is now essential that this ban is reversed and the Chief Constable of the West Midlands Police held to account for this divisive and poorly judged decision

B’nai B’rith UK rejoices in the return of all 20 living hostages to Israel. We have waited for this momentous day for so long and we share in the joy and relief of their families. We hope that the hostages have all the support they need to make a speedy recovery from their unspeakable ordeal. We also share in the grief of those families that have received the remains of their loved ones and wish them long life. We extend our thanks to President Trump for making this day come and hope that his vision for peace and co-existence comes to pass. At the same time, we are outraged that Hamas has withheld the remains of the remaining hostages. It is now essential that the world demands their swift return in order to bring some much needed closure for their families.

B'nai B'rith UK has welcomed the news of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, announced last night. We are overjoyed that the Israeli hostages will be finally coming home and reunited with their families after such a long and traumatic experience. We hope that this can lead to a longer term political agreement based on the 20 points as outlined by President Trump. This must involve the removal of Hamas as the governing authority, the disarmament of all terrorists and the creation of a transitional authority in the Strip which is committed to both deradicalistion and reconstruction. We wish to thank President Trump for his efforts in mediating this agreement and all those in the region who are working for long term peace, security and stability.

B’nai B’rith UK is appalled and devastated by yesterday morning’s attack on the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue that killed two people and injured others. That this appalling attack took place on the solemn day of Yom Kippur makes it all the more cowardly and reprehensible. We send our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and wish them long life, and hope the injured make a swift recovery. We also salute the bravery of the synagogue guard who helped prevent a far greater tragedy, as well as the swift response of the Greater Manchester Police. We would like to thank the King, as well as political and religious leaders for their support following the attack. We will continue to work with the authorities and other communal organisations to tackle the horrific scourge of antisemitism that has spiralled in the UK since October 7.