We Believe in Israel (WBII) welcomes the recent commitment expressed by Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds to securing a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the United Kingdom and Israel. This determination highlights the enduring strength of the UK-Israel relationship—a bond built not only on shared economic interests but also on mutual values and strategic alignment.

The significance of this partnership cannot be overstated. Bilateral trade between the UK and Israel has reached an impressive £6.4 billion as of the third quarter of 2023, with sectors such as technology, services, and innovation playing a pivotal role. The proposed FTA aims to deepen these ties, offering unprecedented opportunities for collaboration in areas like digital trade and professional services. For the UK, as the world’s second-largest exporter of services, this agreement represents a critical step in fostering growth and securing a competitive edge in global markets.

Mr. Reynolds’ comments come at a moment of heightened tension in the region, with the conflict in Gaza and its aftermath presenting significant geopolitical challenges. However, his pragmatic approach to addressing specific issues, such as arms export licensing, while continuing to champion the broader economic relationship with Israel, demonstrates a level-headed and principled stance. The UK’s ability to uphold its values while advancing its national interests is precisely what strengthens its global reputation.

The Jewish community in Britain, praised by Mr. Reynolds for its “outstanding” and “outward-looking” contributions, has long been a cornerstone of this partnership. Their influence extends well beyond commerce, embodying the very best of what it means to integrate, innovate, and contribute to society. That this government recognises and values their contributions speaks volumes about its commitment to fostering a harmonious and dynamic relationship with Jewish communities and Israel alike.

The benefits of a strengthened UK-Israel trade agreement are manifold. Economically, it will unlock new opportunities for growth and innovation. Strategically, it reinforces a critical alliance in an increasingly volatile region. And diplomatically, it reaffirms the UK’s position as a nation that values its friends and acts with consistency in its international dealings.

WBII urges the UK government to expedite these negotiations and bring this important agreement to fruition. As we look to the future, it is essential that Britain continues to stand firmly alongside Israel, not only as a trading partner but as an ally in the defence of shared principles and freedoms. In doing so, we ensure that the bond between our nations remains as strong and unshakeable as ever.

This agreement is more than a trade deal—it is a testament to the enduring friendship and mutual respect between the United Kingdom and Israel. WBII will continue to advocate for this partnership, confident in the knowledge that it represents the very best of what can be achieved when nations come together with purpose and resolve.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has long marketed itself as a pillar of humanitarian support, but recent revelations lay bare troubling allegations that demand immediate scrutiny. Claims of links between UNRWA staff and terrorist organisations such as Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, alongside evidence of hate speech and incitement in its educational materials, cast serious doubt over the agency’s legitimacy and neutrality. For any organisation entrusted with significant international funding, such accusations are more than a scandal—they are a fundamental betrayal of its stated mission.

The evidence is damning. Research conducted by the Institute for Monitoring Peace and Cultural Tolerance in School Education (IMPACT-se) reveals that senior educational staff in Gaza linked to UNRWA maintain associations with terror groups, groups whose ideologies glorify violence and division. Even more alarming are findings that UNRWA classrooms propagate materials glorifying terrorism, rather than fostering the peace-building values that the agency claims to champion. These are not isolated failings but systemic issues, raising the question of whether UNRWA’s very structure is designed to perpetuate conflict rather than alleviate it.

Worse still are allegations that UNRWA facilities have been repurposed for militant operations, including the storage of weapons and launching of attacks. Such abuses fundamentally undermine the agency’s claims of neutrality and pose a direct threat to the stability of the region. How can an organisation tasked with providing humanitarian aid credibly argue for impartiality when it is implicated in facilitating violence?

The persistence of these problems highlights a deeper malaise. UNRWA’s existence has not resolved the plight of Palestinian refugees; it has prolonged it. Unlike other refugee agencies that prioritise resettlement and self-reliance, UNRWA has institutionalised a permanent refugee status, entrenching division and dependency for political ends. Far from being a vehicle for peace, it has become an instrument for perpetuating the very grievances it was created to address.

The United Kingdom, like other Western nations, has supported UNRWA for decades under the assumption that it serves a humanitarian purpose. However, this support must now be re-evaluated. Britain cannot continue to fund an organisation whose operations are mired in accusations of extremism and incitement. Instead, the UK must lead the charge for transparency, accountability, and comprehensive reform. If UNRWA cannot meet these standards, alternative solutions for addressing the needs of Palestinian refugees must be explored.

The time for empty assurances is over. The international community has a moral obligation to ensure that aid serves its intended purpose: to build hope, foster peace, and alleviate suffering. Anything less is a betrayal of the values on which humanitarian aid is founded. For UNRWA, the choice is clear—reform or irrelevance. For Britain, the responsibility is equally plain: to hold this agency to account and to prioritise peace over perpetuated division.

The recent arson attack on the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne is a stark and sobering reminder of the pernicious threat of anti-Zionism that continues to rear its head globally. This assault on a historic place of worship, injuring two individuals and causing extensive damage, is not merely an act of vandalism. It is a deliberate attack on the Jewish community’s identity, heritage, and right to live without fear.

The targeting of a synagogue—a sanctuary of faith and a cornerstone of Jewish communal life—is an affront to the principles of tolerance, coexistence, and respect that should underpin any civilised society. Such acts are not isolated incidents; they are part of a troubling pattern of rising anti-Zionism that must be met with unequivocal condemnation and action.

We commend the swift response of Fire Rescue Victoria and the Victoria Police Arson Squad, whose efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice are vital in sending a clear message: antisemitic violence will not and cannot be tolerated. Justice in this instance is not merely for the Jewish community in Melbourne but for all who believe in the sanctity of human dignity and the rule of law.

This attack comes against a backdrop of escalating hostility towards Jewish communities worldwide. Anti-Zionism, often disguised as political discourse or cultural critique, is increasingly emboldened, and its resurgence demands our collective attention and action. Failure to confront this menace is to tacitly allow the erosion of the values that hold free societies together.

We at We Believe In Israel stand in unwavering solidarity with the Jewish community in Melbourne and beyond. This is a moment to recommit ourselves to fighting anti-Zionism in all its forms, to ensuring the safety and dignity of Jewish communities, and to defending the freedoms that allow all faiths and identities to flourish. The burning of a synagogue is a warning—one that demands vigilance, resolve, and courage from all who value liberty and justice.

It is a call to action for governments, civil society, and individuals alike to confront this hatred head-on and to reaffirm the principle that diversity is not a weakness but a strength. Our thoughts are with those directly affected by this attack. But thoughts alone are not enough. We must act, speak out, and ensure that such outrages are met with the full force of justice and the unwavering solidarity of those who refuse to let hatred go unchallenged.

We Believe in Israel categorically rejects the recent report by Amnesty International accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza. Such claims are not only without foundation but dangerously undermine the integrity of international discourse on human rights. By distorting the realities of the conflict and advancing a one-sided narrative, this report risks emboldening extremism and jeopardising prospects for peace.

Israel’s military operations in Gaza are conducted in response to relentless aggression from Hamas, a proscribed terrorist organisation that has launched over 20,000 rockets at Israeli civilian populations this year alone. These actions are not acts of indiscriminate violence but targeted measures aimed at neutralising a direct and ongoing threat. Israel’s efforts to minimise civilian harm—including advanced warning systems and precision strikes—are unprecedented, particularly given Hamas’s use of human shields and its deliberate embedding of military infrastructure within civilian areas.

The accusation of genocide is a grave and reckless misuse of the term. Genocide entails the intentional and systematic destruction of a group, an allegation Amnesty has failed to substantiate. Far from engaging in genocidal actions, Israel provides humanitarian aid to Gaza, including food, water, and medical supplies, even as it defends itself from unprovoked attacks. To frame these actions as genocide is to trivialise the term and demean the victims of actual genocides throughout history.

Amnesty’s glaring omission of Hamas’s role as the instigator of violence is as troubling as it is revealing. By ignoring the group’s charter, which explicitly calls for the destruction of Israel, and its practice of exploiting the Palestinian population for its own militaristic ends, Amnesty not only absolves Hamas of responsibility but legitimises its actions. Such a selective approach erodes trust in human rights advocacy and shifts focus away from those who are genuinely culpable for the suffering in Gaza.

The consequences of this report extend far beyond rhetoric. Accusations of genocide, when levelled without basis, inflame antisemitism, alienate moderate voices, and embolden extremist actors. They also distort the public’s understanding of the conflict, making constructive dialogue and practical solutions ever more difficult to achieve.

WBII urges policymakers, thought leaders, and the international community to reject this report and its flawed conclusions. Instead, we must reaffirm Israel’s right to self-defence and demand accountability from those who seek to perpetuate violence and hatred. Constructive solutions to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict require a balanced and evidence-based approach, not inflammatory accusations that polarise and undermine trust.

Israel, like any nation, has the right to protect its citizens from terror. Amnesty’s refusal to acknowledge this fundamental reality reflects a troubling shift in the priorities of human rights advocacy. We must not allow biased narratives to dictate the global response to this complex and deeply entrenched conflict.

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