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.

Statement from We Believe In Israel

As Israel stands on the brink of facing one of the gravest threats in its history, We Believe In Israel stands resolutely by its side. Israel, the solitary democracy in the Middle East, symbolizes freedom and stability in a region perpetually fraught with turmoil. The threats currently directed at it are not merely assaults on its sovereignty but on the very ideals of democracy and liberty that underpin our values.

We call upon the international community, and specifically the UK government, to rise to the occasion and offer unflinching support to Israel. It is imperative that we recognize the severity of the dangers posed by hostile forces and respond decisively to safeguard Israel's security. This includes the immediate release of all hostages currently held by Hamas and other terrorist groups. The plight of these innocent individuals must be at the forefront of our collective conscience.

Israel's right to self-defense is an inherent, non-negotiable principle. The UK's support must be visible and robust, providing not only diplomatic backing but also the necessary material support to bolster Israel's defense capabilities.

Stand with Israel

Now is the time for the UK and the international community to:

• Firmly oppose any acts of aggression towards Israel.
• Demand the immediate release of all hostages.
• Extend diplomatic and material aid to strengthen Israel's defense.
• Advocate for Israel’s right to peace and security on the world stage.
• Call for the IRGC to be proscribed as a terrorist organization.

It is intolerable to witness the belligerence of the Islamic Republic of Iran and its proxies calling for the death and targeting of innocent Israeli civilians. For the Iranian Ambassador to the UN to announce that Tehran would target Israel indiscriminately without facing harsh comments and reprisals cannot and should not stand. We call on the UK government to uphold its commitment to the rule of law.

The international community must unite to support our ally, ensuring that Israel continues to thrive as a stronghold of democracy in the Middle East.

Statement from We Believe In Israel (WBII) - 300 Days of Captivity: A Call for Immediate Release of Hostages

Today, we mark 300 days since the harrowing events of October 7th, a date seared into our collective memory when innocent Israelis were taken hostage by Hamas. As we reflect on this somber milestone, it is vital that we continue to speak the names of those still in captivity. These individuals are not just statistics; they are sons, daughters, mothers, fathers—people whose fundamental human rights have been egregiously violated.

The international community, particularly those who champion human rights, must rise to the occasion. We call upon world leaders, and specifically the UK government—a beacon of human rights and civil liberties—to lead the charge in demanding the immediate release of these hostages. This is not merely a plea for justice; it is a call to uphold the very principles that define our shared humanity.

The plight of these hostages must not be relegated to the background. Their freedom is a cause that transcends politics and borders. We stand united in our commitment to their safe return, and we will not rest until they are home, where they belong.

Statement from We Believe In Israel (WBII) on the ICC Decision

We Believe In Israel (WBII) condemns in the strongest possible terms the UK's decision to withdraw its objection to the ICC's request for arrest warrants against Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant. It is entirely unacceptable to equate the leadership of a democratic state with Hamas, a proscribed terrorist organisation. Such a comparison undermines the fundamental principles of justice and international law. The UK must uphold a clear distinction between a nation defending its citizens and a group perpetrating terrorism. The decisions made today will significantly shape the UK's international reputation and its legacy in upholding truth and justice. The implications are far-reaching and require immediate reconsideration.

Statement from We Believe in Israel: A Call to Proscribe Both the Houthis & the IRGC

In light of the recent Houthi drone attack on Tel Aviv, which resulted in one fatality and multiple injuries, We Believe in Israel calls upon the UK government to formally proscribe the Houthis and their patron,  the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) under UK law. This is not merely a matter of enhancing our legal toolkit against terrorism but a crucial step in supporting our key ally, Israel, in its ongoing fight for security and sovereignty.

The attack on Tel Aviv starkly illustrates the sophisticated nature of the Houthis' military capabilities—capabilities that are clearly beyond the reach of a militia operating independently. The substantial evidence of IRGC support and training provided to the Houthis necessitates a comprehensive strategy to disrupt this alliance. The IRGC's involvement is not a peripheral detail but a central factor that enables the Houthis to pose a significant threat to regional stability.

We must therefore consider what additional legal tools we have at our disposal. One such tool is proscription. Designating the Houthis and the IRGC as proscribed terrorist organisations would enable more comprehensive measures to disrupt their operations and financial networks, thus supporting Israel - a key ally, in its effort to defend and assert its territorial integrity. Proscription is a powerful legal instrument that could significantly impede the Houthis' ability to operate and reduce the threat they pose.

Furthermore, the UK must adapt its laws to make it possible to proscribe the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The IRGC is a key player in supporting and orchestrating terrorist activities against both our strategic interests and national security. 

The evidence is clear: the IRGC's relationship with the Houthis is a calculated strategy to project power and disrupt international stability while maintaining plausible deniability. Proscribing the Houthis and the IRGC would not only hinder these operations but also reinforce the UK’s commitment to global security and the fight against terrorism.

We urge the UK government to adopt these measures promptly. It is time to recognise and address the real source of the threat, ensuring that our actions are as robust as the challenges we face.

#WeBelieveInIsrael