Hamas' latest decision to delay the release of hostages—on the false pretext of Israeli "truce violations"—is yet another grotesque manipulation designed to prolong suffering, extract further concessions, and maintain its stranglehold over the Palestinian people.

Let us be absolutely clear: Hamas has never negotiated in good faith. It does not seek peace. It does not seek coexistence. It does not even seek a better future for Palestinians. Its only objective is the destruction of Israel, and it weaponises human lives—both Israeli and Palestinian—to achieve that goal.

This latest ploy is part of a well-worn strategy: agree to a deal, stall on implementation, fabricate excuses, and extract further concessions while the world watches in feigned helplessness. The Israeli hostages should never have been taken in the first place. Their continued captivity is not a political bargaining chip—it is a war crime.

The fact that Hamas can delay and dictate the fate of innocent civilians while the international community remains largely silent is a damning indictment of the moral failure that has allowed this terrorist group to operate with impunity.

We call on the UK government and the international community to unequivocally condemn Hamas’ hostage diplomacy and demand the immediate, unconditional release of all hostages—without negotiation, without delay, and without further enabling this cycle of blackmail.

There is no ceasefire without justice. There is no truce while hostages remain in underground cells. Hamas must not be rewarded for its barbarity. The world must stop indulging the myth that this terrorist regime can be reasoned with. Terrorism cannot be appeased—it must be defeated.

We Believe in Israel (WBII) condemns in the strongest possible terms the barbaric treatment of Israeli hostages at the hands of Hamas. The recent images of the three Israeli hostages, emaciated and broken after 490 days in captivity, are a chilling indictment of the world’s indifference and Hamas’s unrelenting cruelty.

These men—Noa Argamani, Almog Meir Jan, Andrey Kozlov—emerged from their ordeal looking like Holocaust survivors. Let us be absolutely clear: Hamas’s hostage-taking, its inhumane treatment of prisoners, and its continued violations of international law are not acts of resistance—they are war crimes.

Where was the international outcry? Where were the UN resolutions? Where were the so-called human rights organizations when these men were wasting away in darkness, deprived of medical care, tortured in ways we cannot yet fathom? The same voices that rush to condemn Israel at every turn have stood silent as Hamas brutalized civilians, violating every principle of human dignity.

This is not just an Israeli tragedy—it is a test for humanity itself.

WBII demands the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages still held by Hamas. We call upon the UK government, the international community, and all those who claim to stand for human rights to take action. Every day of inaction is a day complicit in Hamas’s barbarism.

To the families still waiting for their loved ones: We will not forget them. We will not allow the world to forget them.

Silence is not an option. Indifference is a disgrace. Action is a moral imperative.

We Believe in Israel acknowledges President Trump’s latest decision on Gaza and recognises that as we move forward in a post-October 7 reality, our collective priority must be to ensure that such abominable crimes are never repeated.This requires a clear, determined strategy to eradicate radical elements, strengthen regional security, and build the foundations for a stable, peaceful future for all people in the region.

The events of October 7 were not just an attack on Israel but an attack on the very principles of sovereignty, security, and coexistence. Ensuring that no nation is ever again subjected to such horrors means recognising that peace cannot take root while extremism thrives. The path forward must be shaped by lessons from the Abraham Accords, which demonstrated that cooperation, mutual respect, and economic integration can overcome historic divisions.

Now, more than ever, it is essential to work with regional partners to forge a sustainable future—one that is inclusive, that respects the sovereignty of all nations, and that promotes stability and growth as a shared interest rather than a zero-sum game. Any long-term solution for Gaza must be rooted in pragmatism, not ideology—one that empowers those seeking a better future while dismantling the radical forces that have brought only suffering and destruction.

As discussions about Gaza’s future unfold, Israel’s security must remain non-negotiable, and any governance structure must be one that rejects terrorism in all its forms. We Believe in Israel remains committed to advocating for policies that promote regional stability, safeguard Israel, and support a peaceful future built on real partnerships, not illusions.

We Believe in Israel (WBII) welcomes President Donald Trump’s decision to halt all United States funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). This bold and principled move addresses longstanding concerns about the agency’s role in perpetuating the Israeli-Palestinian conflict rather than contributing to its resolution. WBII urges the United Kingdom to follow the United States’ lead by reassessing its financial support for UNRWA and redirecting aid towards initiatives that foster genuine peace and reconciliation.

UNRWA’s mandate, established in 1949, was intended as a temporary measure to provide relief for Palestinian refugees. Yet, more than seven decades later, the agency has entrenched a system that sustains refugee status across generations, undermining efforts to resolve the issue through resettlement and integration. Unlike the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), which seeks durable solutions for refugees worldwide, UNRWA perpetuates a unique and discriminatory definition of refugee status. By extending this status indefinitely to descendants of the original 1948 refugees, UNRWA inflates refugee numbers and perpetuates a sense of grievance and victimhood, exacerbating tensions in the region.

WBII is deeply concerned about the misuse of international funding by UNRWA. The agency has faced allegations of corruption, mismanagement, and the promotion of hate and incitement within its educational programmes. UNRWA-run schools have been documented teaching curricula that glorify violence, demonise Israel, and deny Jewish historical and cultural ties to the land. Such practices do not contribute to peace but instead entrench hostility and mistrust, particularly among young Palestinians.

President Trump’s decision to halt US funding underscores the importance of accountability and effectiveness in international aid. The $360 million annual contribution from the United States accounted for nearly one-third of UNRWA’s budget, and its withdrawal sends a clear message: international aid must be contingent upon transparency, accountability, and alignment with the broader goal of peace. The UK, as a significant donor to UNRWA, has a moral and strategic responsibility to ensure that its aid promotes coexistence rather than division.

Instead of funding an agency that perpetuates the status quo, WBII calls on the UK government to invest in programmes that support resettlement, economic development, and educational reform for Palestinians. Such initiatives should focus on fostering coexistence, reducing dependency on aid, and promoting mutual understanding between Israelis and Palestinians. By reallocating funding to initiatives that prioritise peace-building and self-reliance, the UK can play a more constructive role in resolving this protracted conflict.

The UK has long been a champion of peace, human rights, and international law. By reassessing its support for UNRWA, the UK can demonstrate its commitment to these principles and encourage other nations to follow suit. WBII stands ready to support the UK government in exploring alternative approaches to aid that promote a genuine and sustainable peace in the Middle East.

President Trump’s decision is a watershed moment in the international community’s approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. WBII urges the UK to seize this opportunity to take a stand for accountability, transparency, and peace. Together, we can help build a future where Israelis and Palestinians live side by side in security, dignity, and mutual recognition.

This week, we share a moment of relief and joy that has touched the hearts of many. After enduring 471 harrowing days of captivity under Hamas, three Israeli hostages—Emily Damari, Romi Gonen, and Doron Steinbrecher—have been safely returned to their families. Their release follows the commencement of a temporary ceasefire, marking a crucial development in an otherwise prolonged and deeply challenging conflict.

The courage and resilience shown by these individuals during their ordeal are a testament to the human spirit's ability to endure in the face of unimaginable hardship. Their return provides a glimmer of hope and a reminder of the importance of sustained efforts to bring about peace and reconciliation in the region.

However, this moment of relief is layered with complexity. Alongside the release of the Israeli hostages, 90 Palestinian prisoners were also freed as part of the agreement. While we celebrate the reunification of families on both sides, we are reminded of the delicate balance required to navigate such exchanges. The pain and loss felt by so many underscore the pressing need for meaningful dialogue and constructive action to address the root causes of the conflict.

At WBII, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to supporting all efforts to secure the release of the remaining hostages. Dozens of families continue to wait in anguish, holding onto the hope of being reunited with their loved ones. Their suffering serves as a powerful reminder of why humanitarian efforts and advocacy must persist.

We also advocate for sustained humanitarian aid to alleviate the broader suffering caused by this conflict. In particular, we urge all parties involved to prioritise the protection of civilians, ensuring access to essential resources and support during this fragile ceasefire.

While this moment brings solace to many, it is also a call to action for us all. The power of diplomacy and the enduring strength of the human spirit offer a path forward, even in the most challenging of circumstances. 

At We Believe in Israel, we welcome the news of the ceasefire agreement and the impending release of hostages, which will bring immeasurable relief to many families who have endured an agonising wait. It is a moment of profound gratitude and solace, a reminder of the sanctity of life and the value of every soul safely returned.

Yet, even as we mark this moment, let us pause to reflect on those who will not return home. Their absence leaves a void that cannot be filled, a silence that echoes in the hearts of their loved ones and within the soul of our nation. We honour the sacrifices of the brave men and women who stood resolutely in defence of their people, their families, and the enduring principles upon which Israel was founded.

This ceasefire, while welcome, must also serve as a solemn reminder of the arduous road that lies ahead. The battle against those who seek to undermine Israel’s legitimacy, to rewrite history and distort the truth of October 7, remains unrelenting. Antizionism, veiled as activism, continues to pose a grave threat to the Jewish people’s right to self-determination and the very existence of the state of Israel.

The fight against this pervasive campaign of falsehood and hatred is not one we can shirk, nor one we will lose. It demands our steadfast commitment to justice and truth. It calls upon us to ensure that the memory of those who perished and the sacrifices of those who defended Israel will not be in vain.

As we welcome those hostages who will finally return to the embrace of their families, we recommit ourselves to the cause of truth and justice. We do so not only to honour their suffering but to pave the way for a future where peace is not an interlude between wars but an enduring reality. Together, we will stand firm, unyielding in our defence of Israel, our people, and the values that unite us.

The Islamic Human Rights Commission’s (IHRC) call for universities and councils to boycott Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) is a deeply troubling development that strikes at the heart of historical truth and societal unity. This brazen attempt to undermine a day dedicated to reflecting on humanity’s darkest chapter not only dishonours the memory of the Holocaust’s victims but also jeopardises the vital work of educating future generations about the consequences of hatred and prejudice.

Holocaust Memorial Day is not a political statement. It is a solemn and inclusive moment for people of all backgrounds to remember the millions of Jews and others who perished in the Holocaust, as well as the victims of subsequent genocides. It is a day for reflection, education, and unity—values that transcend political and ideological divides. By encouraging universities and councils to boycott this essential occasion, the IHRC is promoting division and enabling the erosion of historical truth at a time when antisemitism and Holocaust denial are on the rise.

The IHRC’s call for a boycott is part of a dangerous trend that conflates Holocaust remembrance with narrow political narratives, including the weaponisation of antizionism as a guise for antisemitism. This tactic not only distorts the universal lessons of the Holocaust but also fosters a climate of hostility toward Jewish communities. Universities and councils that heed this call risk alienating students, staff, and residents who recognise the importance of remembrance in fostering inclusion, tolerance, and mutual understanding.

We Believe in Israel (WBII) firmly rejects the IHRC’s attempt to politicise Holocaust Memorial Day and calls on universities and councils across the UK to resist this divisive agenda. Instead, we urge these institutions to embrace HMD as an opportunity to educate, unite, and reflect. Universities, as centres of learning, have a particular responsibility to lead by example, ensuring students understand the Holocaust’s historical significance and its ongoing relevance in combating prejudice and extremism. Local councils, as representatives of diverse communities, should also play a key role in promoting HMD observance, hosting inclusive events, and fostering dialogue that strengthens social cohesion.

WBII also calls on the UK government to take decisive action by enshrining Holocaust Memorial Day in law. This step would safeguard HMD’s place as a cornerstone of Britain’s commitment to remembrance, education, and the fight against hatred. It would send a clear message that attempts to undermine this day, such as the IHRC’s boycott, will not succeed in eroding Britain’s resolve to honour the memory of the Holocaust and uphold its lessons.

The IHRC’s boycott call is a stark reminder of the importance of Holocaust Memorial Day in countering misinformation, distortion, and division. Institutions that reject this call and actively participate in HMD reaffirm their commitment to the values of truth, justice, and human dignity. By standing together in remembrance, universities, councils, and communities can ensure that the lessons of the Holocaust remain a powerful force for good, teaching future generations to value inclusion and to resist the forces of hate.

We urge all leaders, educators, and institutions to reject the IHRC’s divisive agenda and to reaffirm their commitment to Holocaust Memorial Day. Together, we can ensure that the promise of “Never Again” is not only remembered but realised in a society that values unity, truth, and justice for all.

The recent conduct of Francesca Albanese, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories, is both alarming and emblematic of a deeper malaise within certain international institutions. Her appalling invocation of Holocaust comparisons to criticise Israel not only distorts history but also trivialises one of humanity’s darkest chapters. Such rhetoric is as offensive as it is dangerous, fuelling antisemitism under the guise of advocacy.

It is telling that a figure entrusted with the solemn duty of defending human rights has instead chosen to engage in crude propaganda. By invoking Nazi Germany to describe the modern Jewish state, Albanese has crossed the line from criticism into outright delegitimisation. This grotesque inversion of history diminishes the suffering of Holocaust victims and mocks the values that the United Nations is meant to uphold.

The United Nations must act decisively. To retain its moral authority, it cannot allow its representatives to perpetuate hatred, much less endorse figures aligned with regimes like Iran, which openly call for Israel’s destruction. The Special Rapporteur has rendered herself unfit for her role. Her continued tenure is an affront to the principles of neutrality, decency, and historical truth.

At We Believe in Israel, we stand resolutely against such reckless and inflammatory narratives. Antisemitism is not merely a relic of the past but a persistent force that must be confronted at every turn. We call on the international community to reject this dangerous rhetoric and demand higher standards from those who claim to champion human rights.

The Holocaust teaches us many lessons, but chief among them is the perils of silence in the face of rising hatred. We urge the United Nations to ensure its representatives embody this lesson—not undermine it.

We Believe in Israel is appalled by the National Portrait Gallery’s decision to feature a portrait of Nelly Adam, also known as Queen Niche, despite the unmistakable antisemitic undertones of her social media activity. This choice is not just tone-deaf but emblematic of a broader malaise infecting cultural institutions—a willingness to turn a blind eye to antisemitism under the guise of promoting ‘diverse voices’.

Let us be clear: the issue at hand is not about artistic freedom or political discourse but a matter of basic decency and the rejection of prejudice. Queen Niche’s public platforms have amplified rhetoric that any responsible institution would categorically reject. Among the highlights of her online activity are the following:

• Comparisons between Israel and Nazi Germany—comparisons that trivialise the Holocaust and fall squarely within the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) definition of antisemitism.
• The historically baseless claim that “Jesus was a Palestinian,” a grotesque distortion of history that erases the Jewish identity of a figure central to Christianity and Judaism alike.
• Retweets of the disgraced academic David Miller, whose vile insinuations about Jewish power and influence have no place in civilised discourse.
• Support for the genocidal chant “From the River to the Sea,” a rallying cry widely understood as a call for the destruction of the world’s only Jewish state and the annihilation of its inhabitants.

This is not the behaviour of someone deserving public celebration. It is the behaviour of someone who uses their platform to stoke division, propagate historical falsehoods, and normalise antisemitic rhetoric.

The National Portrait Gallery’s role is not merely to display works of art but to shape the cultural narrative of Britain. By featuring Queen Niche, the gallery is not just making an error of judgment—it is engaging in the tacit endorsement of hate. One wonders if such indulgence would be extended to individuals who shared similarly vile rhetoric about other ethnic or religious groups.

We call on the National Portrait Gallery to reconsider its decision. This is not about silencing dissent but about refusing to legitimise hatred. We further urge the gallery to consult with Jewish organisations and community leaders to understand why such rhetoric is profoundly offensive and antithetical to the principles of inclusion and mutual respect.

Britain’s cultural institutions must stand for more than fashionable causes or social media trends. They must stand for truth, decency, and the rejection of hatred in all its forms. To do otherwise is not just a betrayal of their Jewish constituents but a betrayal of Britain’s moral fabric.

The recent pronouncement by a UN Special Rapporteur, calling for a global medical boycott of Israel, is not merely misguided but profoundly pernicious. It is a flagrant abuse of the United Nations’ platform, which ought to serve as a guardian of impartiality and a promoter of universal human rights. Instead, this proposal seeks to politicise medicine—an endeavour that should remain above the fray of political hostilities—and weaponise it against one nation alone.

Medicine has always been one of humanity’s great unifiers. It transcends borders, politics, and ideologies, offering succour to the suffering irrespective of nationality or creed. Israel’s contributions to this noble endeavour are unparalleled. From life-saving cancer treatments to groundbreaking medical technologies like the ingestible pill camera, Israel has enriched the global healthcare landscape. A boycott of these innovations would not hurt Israel but would harm millions worldwide who depend on these advancements, including some of the world's most vulnerable communities.

What makes this call particularly grotesque is its disregard for the real-world consequences, particularly for Palestinian communities. Every year, thousands of Palestinian patients receive critical care in Israeli hospitals—care that is unavailable elsewhere in the region. Denying them access to Israeli expertise and medical technology would be an act of cruelty, punishing those most in need to satisfy an ideological grudge. It is a grotesque irony that those who claim to act on behalf of Palestinians would deprive them of life-saving care.

The UN, an institution ostensibly committed to universal values, increasingly finds itself mired in selective and partisan agendas. While egregious human rights abuses proliferate in countries such as Iran, Syria, and North Korea, Israel—a liberal democracy with robust protections for minorities—becomes the perpetual scapegoat. This double standard is not just a moral failing; it corrodes the credibility of the UN itself.

If the rapporteur were genuinely concerned with healthcare, they might direct their energies towards regimes that systematically deprive their citizens of basic medical care. Instead, they choose to single out Israel, not because it is the most egregious offender, but because it is the easiest target.

To call for a boycott of Israeli medical innovation is to set a dangerous precedent. Once medicine becomes a political weapon, its universality—and therefore its efficacy—is fatally undermined. Are we to deny life-saving treatments to patients based on their geographic origin or political affiliations? Such a stance betrays the very essence of medical ethics and flies in the face of the Hippocratic Oath.

Israel’s record of medical diplomacy is a testament to what is possible when healthcare is treated as a bridge rather than a battleground. Israeli hospitals have provided aid in disaster-stricken regions, from Haiti to Nepal, and have shared expertise during global crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic. A boycott would sever these connections, to the detriment of all.

This proposal by the UN Special Rapporteur is not merely ill-conceived; it is emblematic of a broader malaise in international institutions—a willingness to pander to ideological fervour at the expense of fairness, logic, and humanity. The UN must resist this descent into cynicism. It must uphold its founding principles by rejecting calls for divisive and punitive measures that harm the very people they purport to protect.

Medicine, like human rights, should unite rather than divide. It is high time the UN remembered this simple truth. Anything less is a betrayal of the values it claims to represent.