We Believe in Israel condemns in the strongest possible terms the violent riots that erupted in Montreal over the weekend during what was initially presented as a pro-Palestinian demonstration. What began as a protest quickly descended into chaos, with acts of arson, vandalism, and antisemitic displays, including the abhorrent burning of an effigy of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Nazi salutes. Such actions are not expressions of free speech but clear incitements to hatred and violence that have no place in a civilised society.

These events are part of a disturbing global trend where antisemitism, thinly veiled as anti-Zionism, is on the rise. Calls to “globalise the intifada” and acts of aggression targeting Jewish communities, businesses, and individuals are becoming alarmingly frequent. This is not the exercise of political dissent; it is the weaponisation of hatred, deliberately designed to intimidate and harm.

The failure of authorities to adequately address these incidents, compounded by the absence of clear condemnation from political leaders, sends a dangerous message: that such violence will be tolerated. Inaction emboldens extremists and leaves Jewish communities feeling vulnerable and isolated.

We call on Canadian authorities to take immediate action to hold the perpetrators accountable and to reaffirm their commitment to protecting all communities from hate-driven violence. Political leaders must also speak out unequivocally against this antisemitic aggression and ensure that the rhetoric of incitement is challenged, not normalised.

This is not merely a local issue but part of a broader challenge facing democracies worldwide. The violence in Montreal serves as a stark warning that tolerance for hatred threatens the very fabric of pluralistic societies. It is incumbent upon all of us—governments, civil society, and individuals—to stand united against this rising tide of antisemitism and ensure that no group is ever left to face hatred and violence alone.

It is with profound sorrow and anger that We Believe in Israel acknowledges the brutal murder of Rabbi Zvi Kogan, a devoted father, husband, and spiritual leader, taken from his family and community in an act of unmitigated barbarism. At just 28 years old, Rabbi Kogan represented the best of humanity—dedicating his life to faith, family, and the service of others. His senseless killing is not only a personal tragedy but an assault on the very values that underpin civilised society.

This was not merely a crime; it was a calculated act of terror designed to spread fear and erode the sanctity of life. It serves as a grim reminder of the unrelenting threat faced by the Jewish people, not only in Israel but around the world. It is a reminder, too, of the moral bankruptcy of those who remain silent or equivocal in the face of such atrocities.

The international community must stop tiptoeing around the scourge of terrorism. It is long past time for clear and unequivocal condemnation of those who perpetrate, enable, and celebrate such acts. To do anything less is to betray not only the victims of terror but the principles of justice and decency upon which any functioning society relies.

Our thoughts are with Rabbi Kogan’s grieving family, his wife, his young child, and the community he served with such dedication. His death is a loss not only to them but to all who value life, peace, and humanity.

Rabbi Kogan’s memory must not simply be a source of sorrow but a rallying cry for action. His life embodied the values we must defend; his murder underscores the urgency of doing so. We Believe in Israel will continue to stand against the forces of hatred and barbarism, committed to ensuring that the world does not avert its gaze or soften its resolve.

May Rabbi Zvi Kogan’s memory be a blessing, and may his legacy inspire us all to confront evil with unwavering determination.

It is with outrage and profound disappointment that We Believe in Israel condemns the United Kingdom’s support for a UN resolution that calls for an immediate ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza conflict while scandalously omitting any demand for the release of hostages, including British citizen Emily Damari. In this act of diplomatic cowardice, the UK has abdicated its moral responsibility, betrayed its own nationals, and lent credence to the barbarism of Hamas.

This resolution, bereft of any clause requiring the immediate and unconditional liberation of hostages, represents a grotesque surrender to moral relativism. It signals to the world that hostage-taking, a despicable war crime, can be met with silent acquiescence rather than unequivocal condemnation. By failing to demand justice for the men, women, and children held captive by a genocidal terror group, the British Government has chosen to place hollow platitudes above the fundamental duty of any civilised nation: the protection of its citizens.

The omission is no mere oversight; it is a calculated act of negligence. To vote for a resolution that sidesteps the plight of the hostages—some of whom, like Emily Damari, are British citizens—is to endorse their continued suffering. It hands a propaganda victory to Hamas, an organisation whose atrocities are so grotesque they beggar belief. This is the group that has butchered infants, raped women, and used its own civilians as human shields. That the UK could lend its voice to a resolution which fails to address these crimes is nothing short of a moral calamity.

This shameful abdication also undermines Israel's legitimate right to defend its citizens against unrelenting aggression. A ceasefire that does not demand the immediate return of hostages or the disarmament of Hamas is not peace; it is capitulation. It is an insult to the very concept of justice, one that rewards the terrorists while punishing their victims.

The United Kingdom, once a beacon of moral clarity, has sullied its reputation by aligning itself with those who refuse to hold Hamas accountable. This resolution, far from promoting peace, ensures that terror will be emboldened, hostages will remain in torment, and justice will continue to be deferred.

WBII demands that the British Government take immediate steps to rectify this disgraceful blunder:

1. Insist on a follow-up resolution that explicitly calls for the unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas.
2. Demonstrate unwavering support for Israel’s right to defend itself against terrorism.
3. Reaffirm the principle that no democracy should be forced to negotiate with those who revel in the slaughter of innocents.

This is not a matter of left or right, Israeli or Palestinian, or even British or foreign. It is a matter of justice versus barbarism, of civilisation versus savagery. The British Government must decide which side of history it wishes to stand on.

The world is watching, and it will not forgive those who chose complicity over courage, cowardice over truth, and political expediency over the lives of innocent men, women, and children.

The issuance of arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant by the International Criminal Court (ICC) is a grotesque perversion of justice and a damning indictment of the ideological rot that has taken hold of this institution. Here we have a court, ostensibly created to uphold the highest ideals of international law, now wielded as a blunt instrument against the leaders of a democratic state—one under constant assault from a genocidal terrorist organisation, Hamas.

This is not justice; it is legalised propaganda. By accepting the claimed "State of Palestine" as a party to the Rome Statute—a political construct designed to circumvent negotiation and accountability—the ICC has abandoned even the pretence of impartiality. Its decision to target Israel, while ignoring the vast catalogue of atrocities committed by Hamas, reveals a court hopelessly mired in political prejudice. This is not an institution seeking truth; it is a kangaroo court, and it knows exactly whose interests it serves.

The charges levelled against Netanyahu and Gallant are absurd in both their scope and their premise. To accuse the leaders of Israel of crimes against humanity for defending their citizens against an entity whose very charter calls for their destruction is a scandal of epic proportions. While Hamas fires rockets at kindergartens, buries its weapons beneath hospitals, and uses its own civilians as human shields, the ICC has decided to cast Israel as the villain for attempting to stop this barbarism.

More alarming still is the court’s shameless overreach. By rejecting Israel’s entirely valid objections to its jurisdiction, the ICC has shown itself willing to trample on the principles of sovereignty and statehood in order to pursue its vendetta. Let us not forget that the ICC has no jurisdiction over Israel, which is not a party to the Rome Statute. That it would claim authority regardless exposes its true aim: not justice, but the delegitimisation of Israel on the international stage.

This disgraceful act will have far-reaching consequences. It emboldens terrorists and rewards their cynical manipulation of international institutions. It undermines the very concept of self-defence, signalling to democracies worldwide that they will be punished, not protected, for standing up to aggression. And it lays bare the double standards of the so-called international community, which has yet to issue so much as a whisper of condemnation against the regimes of Iran, Syria, or North Korea.

In targeting Israel, the ICC has not only forfeited its credibility but has also struck a blow against the very concept of justice it purports to uphold. This is not the path to peace; it is the path to further conflict. Any nation that believes in the rule of law, in the necessity of defending civilians against terror, and in the sanctity of truth must reject this shameful act for what it is: a politically motivated assault on the moral and legal foundations of the civilised world.

The recent invasion of a Jewish student gathering in London, culminating in the burning of an Israeli flag, is as appalling as it is revealing. It is an act not merely of intimidation but of contempt—a visceral demonstration of the growing audacity of those who would bring their hatred into the heart of our society.

This was no accidental breach, no thoughtless misdemeanour. It was a calculated display of aggression, designed to humiliate and frighten, and aimed squarely at a community already under siege from the rising tide of hostility in the UK. That such an incident occurred in a university setting—a space ostensibly dedicated to the free exchange of ideas—should cause us all profound concern.

The Metropolitan Police are now investigating, and one hopes they will act decisively. Yet, the problem is far deeper than the criminal act itself. It lies in a society increasingly willing to tolerate, excuse, or look away from such behaviour. Too often, actions that should be unequivocally condemned are instead justified, wrapped in the language of political grievance or “resistance.”

It is high time we stopped pretending that such acts of hatred are merely expressions of political dissent. Burning the flag of any nation, let alone in a setting designed to celebrate cultural and communal identity, is a deliberate attempt to delegitimise, demean, and provoke. It is not “activism.” It is a declaration of hostility.

This incident should remind us of the fragility of the freedoms we enjoy. The right to gather without fear, to celebrate one’s identity without harassment—these are foundational principles of a civilised society. To undermine them is to corrode the very fabric of our shared life.

Britain has long prided itself on being a place where people of all backgrounds can live without fear of persecution. If we allow such incidents to pass unchallenged, we risk becoming a country that merely tolerates hatred in silence. That cannot be our future. It is imperative that we stand unequivocally against such acts and affirm, once again, that this is a society where hatred—be it of Jews, Israelis, or any other group—has no place.

WBII Team 

We Believe In Israel (WBII) unequivocally condemns the brutal, premeditated attack on Israeli football fans in Amsterdam following the Europa League match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Ajax on November 7, 2024. This was no spontaneous scuffle; it was an orchestrated hunt targeting Israeli citizens on European soil—an event that should alarm every freedom-loving individual who values a civilised society.

What we witnessed was not merely an assault on Israeli fans, but a dark and calculated act of antisemitic violence, echoing shadows of an era we thought we had left behind. Masked gangs, emboldened by a wave of extremist hatred, roamed the streets of Amsterdam, seeking out Israeli citizens for no other reason than their identity. This is not the Europe we were promised; this is not the Europe that claims to uphold human dignity and individual freedoms.

It is deeply concerning that, despite Amsterdam’s strong police presence, such an attack was even possible. We call upon Dutch authorities to not only bring those responsible to justice but to acknowledge that antisemitism has festered in the heart of Europe long enough. Condemnations alone are empty words unless they are followed by meaningful actions. It is imperative that European governments confront this rising tide of extremism and implement robust measures to ensure the safety of Jewish and Israeli citizens alike.

This incident should remind us all that indifference toward hatred and prejudice only fuels its spread. If we tolerate such barbarism in our cities, if we brush off targeted antisemitic violence as mere “football hooliganism,” we risk descending into a dangerous moral relativism that ultimately threatens every society and individual’s freedom.

WBII stands resolutely with the victims of this horrendous attack, their families, and the broader Israeli and Jewish communities worldwide. To tolerate antisemitism is to endorse it, and we will not tolerate or excuse this hatred. We call on all who value freedom and human dignity to demand accountability and action.

We Believe In Israel

The passing of Lily Ebert, MBE, marks the end of a life that stood as a powerful rebuke to the worst of human nature. Lily, a survivor of Auschwitz, was among the last of a generation that bore witness to the darkest chapter of history. Through her survival, and even more through her tireless efforts to educate, she became a living reminder of the capacity for both unspeakable evil and unyielding resilience.

In an age where the lessons of history are increasingly distorted or forgotten, Lily Ebert was a voice of unshakeable truth. Her personal story was not only a testament to the horrors inflicted upon Jews during the Holocaust but a warning to future generations. She reminded us all that there are forces in the world—still today—that would gladly repeat the crimes of the past if we allow ourselves to grow complacent.

Lily understood that remembrance was not a passive act, but an essential moral duty. Through her public engagements, her work in schools, and her memoirs, she tirelessly ensured that the voices of the six million Jews murdered by the Nazis would not be lost to the winds of time. In a world increasingly indifferent to facts and history, her dedication to educating others stood as a bulwark against ignorance and hate.

But more than that, she embodied the triumph of survival. Lily’s life, far from being defined by the cruelty she endured, was a story of strength, family, and hope. She did not allow the weight of history to crush her, but rather used it to give meaning and purpose to the future.

As we reflect on her passing, we must recognise the depth of our loss. With each survivor who departs, a direct link to the horrors of the Holocaust fades, leaving us more vulnerable to those who seek to rewrite history. Yet, in celebrating Lily Ebert’s life, we reaffirm our commitment to the truth she so bravely upheld. Her legacy will endure, as both a warning and an inspiration.

May her memory be a blessing and may her courage and wisdom guide us in the face of today’s growing threats.

As we stand upon the anniversary of 7 October, it is impossible not to feel a deep and bitter resonance with the lessons of Yom Kippur. A day meant for atonement and reflection becomes, for Jews and Israelis, an occasion to confront the most ancient and enduring truths about our predicament. The solemnity of the Day of Atonement, a time to reconcile ourselves with moral failings, contrasts harshly with the brazen injustices we’ve endured over the past year—perpetrated not merely by avowed enemies but by those who parade themselves as moral arbiters on the global stage.

It has become glaringly apparent that Israel is not only fighting a battle for its physical security but also one for its very legitimacy. The hypocrisy of states and officials, eager to pontificate on morality and human rights, has never been more blatant. In the wake of unspeakable violence against Israeli citizens, the international response has been a case study in selective indignation. One is reminded, uncomfortably, of those past moments in history when Jews were expected to suffer in silence, without the moral right to defend themselves—let alone to be defended by others.

What we have seen over the past year is a grotesque willingness, by many who should know better, to throw Israel under the proverbial bus. The response to the terror unleashed on 7 October was not so much outrage as equivocation. The hand-wringing lectures on 'proportionality' and 'restraint' have been meted out as if Israel’s actions deserve more scrutiny than the very terrorism aimed at annihilating it. How easy it is for diplomats and bureaucrats, thousands of miles removed from the conflict, to opine on what constitutes an acceptable level of Israeli suffering, all while remaining silent about the butchery and fanaticism we face.

If Yom Kippur teaches anything, it is the need for introspection, the courage to confront uncomfortable truths, and the moral clarity to admit error. And yet, this clarity has been conspicuously absent in the response of much of the international community. Nations that proudly trumpet their commitment to human rights seem to falter when those rights are to be extended to Israelis. This double standard is as pernicious as it is familiar. We are lectured, in tones of nauseating condescension, about the importance of peace—by those who would never tolerate such assaults on their own populations.

There is a sickness in this kind of moral cowardice, a sickness that enables terror to masquerade as resistance, and that allows hatred to flourish under the guise of ‘criticism’. And let us not delude ourselves—antisemitism is not an aberration from the norms of global discourse; it is woven into the fabric of it. The hatred we witnessed on 7 October, and in the months since, is no historical accident. It is the natural consequence of a world where Jews and their state are held to standards that no other nation, no other people, is expected to meet.

On this grim anniversary, we remember not only the lives taken but the lies told—the cynical falsehoods that frame Israel as the aggressor, the deceptions that disguise the hatred for what it truly is. Israel is not merely a country under siege; it is an idea under attack. The idea that Jews have the right to a homeland, the right to self-defence, and the right to live free from the genocidal intentions of their enemies is, for some, intolerable.

But if Yom Kippur is about reckoning, it is also about renewal. Despite the betrayals and the hypocrisy of the past year, Israel endures. We will not be cowed by those who would prefer to see us obliterated rather than defend ourselves. Nor will we be lectured on morality by those whose own moral compasses seem to spin wildly in the wind of political convenience. The right of Israel to exist is not a matter for debate. It is a matter of survival.

We stand firm in the knowledge that history is not on the side of those who appease terror. Our resolve is steeled by the understanding that the world’s judgement has often been clouded, but our fight is just. As we reflect on 7 October, and on Yom Kippur, we find strength in our defiance. And we remain as determined as ever to secure a future for Israel—against those who wish to destroy it and in spite of those who dare not defend it.

We Believe In Israel Team 

Statement from We Believe In Israel: The UK's Troubling Decision to Halt Arms Sales to Israel

The UK government’s covert decision to halt arms sales to Israel is deeply concerning. At a time when Israel is under severe threat from the Islamic Republic of Iran and its numerous proxies, this sudden and secretive move represents an inexplicable abandonment of a key ally.

It is especially baffling when one considers that Arab capitals have come together in solidarity with Israel, even offering to intercept missiles and drones aimed at its territory. This level of support from regional neighbours contrasts starkly with the UK's decision to step back from its commitment to Israel.

Israel is grappling with existential threats, and to see the UK choose this moment to sever crucial military support is both perplexing and disheartening. Such a decision risks emboldening those who seek to destabilise the region and threaten countless lives.

We urge the UK government to reverse this misguided decision immediately and reaffirm its support for Israel’s right to defend itself. The protection of our strategic alliances and the upholding of our shared values must not be undermined by hasty and ill-considered actions.