Issuu

of Holy cow! Story survival

Israeli meat-tech ﬁrm Omer Shem hits Tesco shelves P28 Tov, in his own words P14

THE CHOSEN PAPER 12 November 2026 • 2 Kislev 5787 • Issue No.1497 •

@JewishNewsUK

This is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the Bibi

VOICE OF THE JEWISH NEWS

Great shakes? Israeli President Isaac Herzog formally tasks Yashar Party leader Gadi Eisenkot with forming a new government

Britis

d. rou

Jewish. P . h

After years of strife, months of campaigning, and 5,690,778 valid votes cast, Israel has once again found itself floundering in a quagmire of political uncertainty. Benjamin Netanyahu did not win this election. While his party, Likud, received the most seats, it lost a quarter of its representation in the Knesset. Over the last week, Israeli President Isaac Herzog met with all the parties who won Knesset seats to listen to their recommendations as to who should get the chance to try and seek a Continued on page 16

AJEX Remembrance Parade & Ceremony

Sunday 15th November 2026 | The Cenotaph, Whitehall, 2pm COME AND SUPPORT THE MARCHERS THIS SUNDAY!

Please allow enough time to arrive at the event as there will be a high level of security provided by CST and the Met Police. No large bags are permitted. AJEX - THE JEWISH MILITARY ASSOCIATION. REGISTERED CHARITY NO 1129591.

8023 AJEX Parade 2026 (Advert) JN Strip v8.indd 1

11/11/2026 13:00

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Jewish News 12 November 2026

News / Israel elections / Board of Peace

Eisenkot bloc moves to seize control of Knesset by Lee Harpin lee@jewishnews.co.uk

Yashar Party chief Gadi Eisenkot insisted he and other leaders of his political bloc have agreed to appoint a new Knesset Speaker, aiming to assert control over Israel’s parliament even before a new government is established. The announcement came ahead of the opening session of the 26th Knesset on Tuesday, with 120 newly-elected MKs taking their seats. The current speaker the Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu both addressed the event, with Netanyahu heckled. Under Eisenkot’s agreement, Matan Kahana of the Yashar Party will replace Likud’s Amir Ohana as Knesset speaker. Yisrael Beitenu chairman Avigdor Lieberman will head the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. Eisenkot said: “I have reached an agreement with my partners – the leaders of the change and reform parties: Naftali Bennett, Yair Golan, Avigdor Lieberman, and Yair Lapid – on prospective candidates for key positions in the 26th Knesset during the government-formation period.” He added that the bloc had agreed on candidates for the following key positions as well as speaker: the chair of the House Committee would be incoming MK Roi Folkman. While the chair of the Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee would be former defense minister and MK Avigdor Lieberman. If the move proceeds, replacing Ohana

Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkotand and Israeli President Isaac Herzog

as speaker would give the bloc greater control over the Knesset’s legislative agenda— including scheduling votes and advancing legislation – while negotiations continue. The speaker plays a central role in managing parliamentary proceedings, making the position especially significant during the transition between governments. Additionally, under the agreement, Yashar’s Roi Folkman will chair the Arrangements Committee, while Together lawmaker Liran Avisar Ben-Horin will head

the Finance Committee. The bloc intends to use a Knesset majority to advance legislation and reverse measures passed under the outgoing Netanyahu government, even before Eisenkot completes efforts to form a coalition. It is believed to be likely that the Arab parties in Israel– which gained a record 19 seats at the election – will support such measures, even if a number of them do not join an actual governing coalition. Yashar’s announcement also stated that “agreements have been reached regarding the

establishment of the temporary committees, and their details will be published later.” On Tuesday, Eisenkot met MK Yair Lapid to discuss coordinating moves for the new Knesset and reaffirming their commitment to form a national emergency government as soon as possible. He is also expected to meet with Democrats chairman Yair Golan. Meanwhile, Israeli minister Gideon Sa’ar has publicly criticised UK minister Ed Miliband, accusing him of failing to hold Hamas accountable for the ongoing suffering of Palestinians in Gaza. The row erupted after footage of recent storms revealed severe flooding in the war-torn region, intensifying scrutiny of humanitarian conditions. Posting on X, Sa’ar stated: “It is incredible that the UK minister’s latest assessment of the situation fails to mention the word ‘Hamas’.” Sa’ar’s comments followed Miliband’s video response to reports that 70,000 tents in Gaza had flooded. In his video, Miliband urged Israel to lift what he described as “arbitrary restrictions” on aid reaching the region. The UK minister further emphasised: “There are strict legal obligations that the occupying power, Israel, must obey.” In response, Sa’ar – who has reportedly been offered a new ministerial post by Benjamin Netanyahu as the Likud leader makes his own attempts to form the next government – reiterated his stance: “It is Hamas that is responsible for the suffering of both Palestinians and Israelis: It launched the 7 October massacre, prolonged the war, embedded its operations in civilian areas in Gaza and still refuses to disarm.”

Winter aid to Gaza DIASPORA JEWS URGE NETANYAHU OUSTING ‘insufficient’: Board The Board of Peace has warned that humanitarian aid reaching Gaza remains “insufficient”, despite Israel announcing that thousands of trucks carrying winter supplies entered the territory. The US-backed body called for urgent action to protect displaced families. The warning comes as heavy rain and flooding threaten families living in temporary shelters, with colder weather adding to concerns about conditions for displaced Palestinians. Israel’s military said more than 8,200 trucks loaded with blankets, waterproof sheets, winter clothing and other essentials had entered

Winter aid supplies

Gaza, alongside more than 91,000 tents. The deliveries form part of a winter preparation plan carried out by the Israel Defence Forces and COGAT, the Israeli body responsible for coordinating civilian affairs in Gaza. The programme involves the Board of Peace, the United Nations, international aid agencies and donor countries. However, the Board said

it was “deeply concerned” by flooding that left “displaced families already living in precarious conditions, exposed to cold and unsafe conditions.” The Board called for faster deliveries of shelter materials and equipment needed to tackle flooding and improve sanitation, warning delays were making conditions worse. It also called on Hamas to disarm and give up control of Gaza, warning that continued military activity was putting civilians at risk. Israeli authorities said they had also approved 7,500 vaccine doses for UNICEF, three mobile clinics and medical supplies, including fuel for hospitals..

More than 1,000 Jews from around the world, including prominent British Jewish leaders and former politicians, signed an open letter urging Israeli opposition parties to unite and form a new government that includes Arab representatives. The appeal, organised by The London Initiative (TLI), calls on six political leaders, including former prime minister Naftali Bennett, to work together to replace Benjamin Netanyahu’s government and repair Israel’s strained relationship with Diaspora Jewry. Signatories from at least 15 countries include former foreign secretary Sir Malcolm Rifkind, former UK ambassador to Israel Matthew Gould, UJIA president Sir

Benjamin Netanyahu

Trevor Chinn and philanthropist Dame Vivien Duffield. Also backing the appeal are Birthright Israel cofounder Charles Bronfman, former Middle East peace envoy Lord Levy and senior British rabbis Jonathan Wittenberg, Charley Baginsky and Jeremy Gordon. The letter, made public on Thursday, warns that Israel’s democracy, security and inter-

national standing have suffered serious damage under Netanyahu’s leadership. Addressed to Bennett, Gadi Eisenkot, Yair Golan, Avigdor Liberman, Mansour Abbas and Yousef Jabareen, it urges politicians from across Israel’s political divide to agree on a shared programme for change. Its central demand is that Arab parties should be welcomed into a future governing coalition rather than excluded from political power. Among those supporting the campaign are Sharone Lifschitz, whose father Oded was murdered in Hamas captivity after being abducted on 7 October, and Magen Inon, whose parents were killed during the attacks.

www.jewishnews.co.uk

12 November 2026 Jewish News

Iran links / Concert arrest / News

Golders Green terror plot ‘backed by Iran’ The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced terrorismrelated charges against three men over their alleged involvement in a string of incidents across the US and Europe, including the planning of a near-fatal stabbing of two Jewish men in Golders Green, writes Lee Harpin. The DoJ said Iranian-Iraqi national Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al-Saadi, Iranian national Mohsen Mohajeri, and Iraqi national Mohammad Ali al-Hassani had been charged in connection with their activities in support of two US-designated foreign terrorist organisations (FTO) – Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Iran-backed Iraqi militia Kataib Hezbollah. The men were charged in an indictment that was unsealed on Tuesday, including a suspected Iranrelated terror incident near RAF Fairford in September. According to the indictment, the men were involved in nearly 20 attacks and attempted attacks, including the RAF Fairford incident. A statement from the DoJ said: “Al-Hassani and Mohajeri, both of

whom were in Iran at the time of the RAF Fairford Terrorist Plot, allegedly relied on a network of contacts in the United Kingdom. “Al-Saadi, who was imprisoned and awaiting trial on pending terrorism charges in the Southern District of New York, attempted to coordinate with al-Hassani and Mohajeri from jail by passing messages through third parties. “Al-Saadi, a longtime operative of the IRGC and Kata’ib Hizballah, was charged in May for working with and on behalf of the IRGC and Kata’ib Hizballah, as well as other FTOs, for his involvement in planning and promoting approximately 18 terrorist attacks in Europe; and for attempting to bomb a synagogue in New York.” The statement continued: “terrorist attacks were carried out in the name of a purportedly new terrorist group with the pseudonym Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya, which is a front for Kata’ib Hizballah and other FTOs. “The attacks involved arsons, explosives, and in one instance, a near-fatal stabbing in London of two Jewish men.” Separately, a man is due to

Sir Keir Starmer with first responders at Golders Green attack in April

stand trial next year over the stabbing incident which occurred in Golders Green, north London, in April. Kash Patel, director of the FBI, said: “This eight-count indictment shows the determination of Iran to commit terrorist attacks in Europe and the US, including one plot that was recently prevented at RAF Fairfield – a British Royal Air

Palestine activists target Arab-Jewish coexistence A 70-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence following a protest against an Arab-Jewish musical ensemble performing at the British Library, writes Annabel Sinclair. The Metropolitan Police confirmed the arrest followed an alleged comment directed towards counter-protesters opposing a demonstration organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC). The incident occurred on 10 November as pro-Palestinian activists gathered outside the London venue to protest against Shesh Besh, a six-piece ensemble associated with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. Stop The Hate UK had announced a counter-demonstration in support of the musicians, whose work promotes coexistence between Arab and Jewish communities. A Met Police spokesperson told Jewish News: “Police

Israeli Philharmonic ensemble performed in London this week

imposed conditions on a protest and counter-protest outside the British Library on Monday, 10 November. “Officers were in attendance to ensure these conditions were complied with and prevent any breach of the peace. “Officers made one arrest. A 70-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated Public Order Act offence following an alleged comment towards the counter-protest group. He

remains in custody.” Police have not disclosed the alleged comment. Officers imposed conditions requiring PSC demonstrators to remain within a designated area on Euston Road and disperse by 7.30pm. The Palestine Solidarity Campaign had called for a boycott under the slogan “No Genocide Orchestra”, accusing the orchestra of complicity in Israel’s military actions in Gaza.

Force Base where American forces were stationed.” Seven people have been arrested and bailed in the UK over the incident at the airbase near Gloucester, which was used by US bombers, after three suspicious vans were stopped near the location on September 27. No explosive materials were found in the vans but a quantity of

petrol was seized. According to the DoJ, Al-Hassani “allegedly directed and paid associates in the United Kingdom to conduct preparatory steps and arrange logistics for the RAF Fairford Terrorist Plot”. He is accused of paying an individual to “perform pre-operational surveillance of RAF Fairford’s perimeter”. It is also alleged he “tasked and paid several individuals to help him prepare for the plot, including by procuring vans and barrels of fuel, researching the purchase of chemical accelerants, including large quantities of potassium chloride, and purchasing metallic objects that could be used as explosive shrapnel”. The DoJ said Al-Hassani instructed those individuals to outfit the vans “to create the appearance that they were used by a fuel delivery business and a swimming pool supply business”. The DoJ also said Al-Hassani was “in frequent communication” with the drivers of the vans the morning of the incident. Two British nationals appeared in court last month in connection with the plot.

LADY STARMER TELLS OF AUSCHWITZ VISIT Lady Starmer stressed the importance of Holocaust education as she met 175 sixth form students and teachers on Monday, ahead of their visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau. The pupils from schools across south London were attending an orientation seminar as part of the Holocaust Educational Trust’s Lessons from Auschwitz project. Drawing on her experience of visiting the former Nazi concentration and death camp, the wife of the former prime minister reflected on the impact of witnessing the largest mass murder site in history. She said: “I’ve got Jewish heritage and family members that experienced the Nazi regime and concentration camps… And I can honestly say that my visits have been some of the most incredible and thoughtprovoking moments of my life.” She went on to discuss with students the importance of taking what they learn from Auschwitz-Birkenau back into their schools and communities, becoming Ambassadors for the Holocaust Educational Trust and standing against antisemitism: “I’m so glad that the

Lady Victoria Starmer

Holocaust Educational Trust runs programmes for young people to keep alive the memory and legacy of the Holocaust”, she said. “And every one of you sitting here today is part of that next generation, you’re the courageous young ambassadors who are going to stand up for Holocaust remembrance and against antisemitism.” Karen Pollock, chief executive of the Holocaust Education Trust, said: “We were delighted to welcome Lady Starmer and greatly appreciate her taking the time to address these young people as they begin their important journey with the Holocaust Educational Trust.”

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Jewish News 12 November 2026

News / Greater London Assembly / Ukraine war

London Assembly unites to condemn Greens’ claim The Greater London Assembly has voted to “strongly condemn” the Green Party’s decision to define Zionism as racism, with Conservatives, Labour, Liberal Democrat, Reform UK and Independent Assembly members joining to “express deep concern at the harm such rhetoric risks causing to London’s Jews”, writes Joy Falk. The motion, which was brought by Conservative Assembly member Susan Hall, passed by 19 votes to three – with the three Green assembly members, including party leader Zack Polanski, voting against it. The motion said that “at a time of already heightened tension within the Jewish community…[the Green party’s action] risks fostering division, deepening insecurity and lending legitimacy to extreme antisemitic attitudes”. Bringing the motion, Susan Hall AM said: “I stand here today and I say that I stand 100 percent with the Jewish community. “I find it absolutely disgusting that something like this should be discussed at a conference and then passed. My God, doesn’t that say what the Green Party stand for. It’s abhorrent, utterly abhorrent. “I am not Jewish, but by God do I feel for that community.” Labour Assembly Marina Ahmad said: “This spring someone tried to burn down Finchley Reform Synagogue. Two weeks later, two people were stabbed in Golders Green, in an attack the police are treating as terrorism. In May, the Met recorded 255 antisemitic hate crimes in a single month. That’s more than eight a day in our city. “So when a political party tells its members that Zionism is racism, it’s telling a big part of London’s Jewish community that something central to who they are makes them racist. Whatever their intention, it lands on real people.” Conservative AM Lord Bailey spoke about his experiences as a black man, saying: “I’ve

Condemnation of the Greens received cross-party support in City Hall

sat in this chamber for years and taken so many lectures from the Green Party about bad behaviour and racism in everybody else’s party. “I want to be very, very clear – what you have done is promote racism. You are drawing lines between communities, you are forcing people to take sides with this very horrific thing you have done – to the Jewish community in particular, but to all of us in general. “And when you go home, and in your nice middle class dinner party you reassure yourself that it’s a political, technical point – it is not. On the streets of London, your actions are promoting racism.” Liberal Democrat AM Gareth Roberts said: “I think it’s important that we as politicians, whether at a national level, regional level, even council level, should recognise that when we stand and speak, it has conse-

quences for communities, and they should not be considered in the abstract, they should be considered in the reality of the day to day lives of people who have to live with the policy positions which are taken by politicians. “And therefore it is with deep regret that I saw the motion which was debated at the Green party conference. I think it had no place being debated at a decent party’s national assembly.” Responding to the criticism of his party, Polanski condemned Hall for having what he called “the chutzpah, the audacity… to lecture the Jewish man in the chamber on antisemitism”. He went on to state that “being Jewish, and being a Zionist, are two different things”, before describing how “Theodor Herzl, the modern founder of Zionism, said it was a

colonialist project, he saw it as that: 1948, the Nakba, 750,000 Palestinians displaced and ethnically cleansed; 2026, we have just witnessed 75,000 Palestinians murdered… “To the Labour group, your own mayor of London, Sadiq Khan – I had to push him several times, but he eventually conceded that what is happening in Gaza is a genocide. “Is it now the Labour position that a genocide is not racist, that a genocide is okay, that your government can continue to arm a genocide, and those of us who call it out are apparently the racists?” Polanski would later accuse Hall of “weaponising antisemitism, weaponising a genocide against my community”. Following on from Polanski, Conservative AM Emma Best described the motion adopted by the Green Party at its conference as having “called to wipe Israel off the map”: “And to believe that wouldn’t result in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people, at best is naïve and at worst is sadistically evil. “The motion the Green Party put forward was not about reparations, genocide or saving Palestinian lives. It was about wiping Israel off the map…and the leader of the Green party thinks that’s OK and has no repercussions in London.” Following the adoption of the motion, which also called on the mayor to reaffirm his commitment to tackling antisemitism and engage directly with Jewish community organisations and ensure Jewish Londoners feel safe, valued and able to participate fully in public life, Hall said: “The ‘Zionism is Racism’ policy of the Green Party risks being a harmful rhetoric in British politics that must be opposed wholeheartedly. “I want to thank the members of the Assembly who today have backed this motion to make clear to Britain’s Jewish community that we stand with them in face of antisemitism.”

MAITLIS TAKES LEAD IN £900k funds for arts WJR UKRAINE BRIEFING group in slogan row Emily Maitlis has urged the public to help save lives in Ukraine after hosting an emergency briefing in which the head of World Jewish Relief warned that the strain on vulnerable residents had reached “breaking point”, writes Annabel Sinclair. More than 250 people joined the online event on Monday evening, where World Jewish Relief chief executive Paul Anticoni spoke from a hotel basement in Kharkiv after air raid sirens sounded. The former BBC Newsnight presenter and co-host of The News Agents podcast heard how elderly residents are struggling to keep warm as snow begins to fall, while children have spent years without a normal education. “It is unbelievable, the stress and the strain. It is at breaking point,” Anticoni told

viewers. “It makes me feel when I’m here, we’ve got to redouble our efforts.” He described meeting an elderly man whose windows had been shattered by bombing for the second time. Anticoni warned that the longer the war continued, the greater the need for assistance would become, particularly as international attention shifted elsewhere. “For as long as this conflict goes on, needs will increase, attention will wane, eyes will focus elsewhere, and Ukrainians will be left to their own devices… and that will be tragic.” Anticoni warned that the world had already lost interest in Ukraine. “I don’t think they’re beginning to forget. They’ve forgotten,” he said. WJR has supported more than 400,000 people across almost 400 towns and cities since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.

An arts group behind a controversial pro-Palestinian event in Glasgow has received more than £900,000 in public funding, sparking criticism over its use of a slogan widely condemned by Jewish groups. Arika, which is organising a five-day event called Episode 12: From the Rivers to the Seas, was awarded £911,950 by Creative Scotland, a public arts body funded by the SNP-led Scottish Government, for the period 2025 to 2028. The funding was revealed by the Daily Mail, which reported that the event sparked accusations of antisemitism over its title. The programme, taking place from 11-15 November at Glasgow’s Tramway arts venue, will bring together artists, academics and activists to discuss Palestine, colonialism and social justice. Its title is a variation of the slogan “from

the river to the sea”, which many Jewish organisations regard as a call for Israel’s destruction. Supporters argue that the phrase represents a demand for Palestinian freedom. Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay criticised the use of public money to support the organisers. He told the Daily Mail: “Creative Scotland has bankrolled them with almost a million pounds of taxpayers’ cash, so they must bear some responsibility and accountability.” Creative Scotland insisted that its financial support did not mean it approved or controlled the content of individual events. The SNP-led Scottish Government defended the funding arrangements, saying Creative Scotland “has no role in the programming decisions made by the organisations that it funds”.

www.jewishnews.co.uk

12 November 2026 Jewish News

Green Party / Edinburgh Academy / News

Green shames Muslims for ‘allying with Jews’ A Green councillor believed to have been a key supporter of the party’s “Zionism is Racism” motion is understood to have shared a Facebook post shortly after 7 October 2023 in which he suggested Muslims condemning Hamas “would bear the disgrace of allying yourself with the Jews”, writes Jake Coburn. As reported by the Jewish Chronicle, the Facebook post he shared also said that “in every war fought by the resistance, we discover that there are more Jews in the Arab and Muslim countries than there are in Tel Aviv! And likewise,

we discover there are more honourable and free people in those countries than there are in Gaza! “Firstly: This war is not a matter of opinion, but a matter of religious creed. So if you are on the side of the occupation, or are standing neutral in this war, then reexamine your Islam and your faith…. Allying oneself with the unbeliever against the Muslim is apostasy. “Jerusalem is not geography; Jerusalem is a matter of faith! And its recovery from this occupier is promised by Almighty God in Surah Al-

Isra [of the Qur’an]. This religion will be victorious with or without you. “You alone will bear the disgrace of allying yourself with the Jews!… Do not be more Jewish than the Jews!” A Green Party spokesperson told Jewish News: “The Green Party has processes in place to look into views expressed by members that do not align with Green Party values. Cllr Ahmed has deleted and deeply regrets a 2023 Facebook post which he says does not accurately reflect his views in the English translation.”

Mustafa Ahmed

Ahmed was elected as a councillor in the Burngreave ward on Sheffield City Council in May.

Tories urge SNP to clarify Gaza stance The Scottish Conservatives are calling for an SNP minister to correct the record following a Holyrood debate on the government’s approach to Israel and Gaza. External affairs minister Stephen Gethins said that the Scottish Government

“must ensure that there is consistency in our approach” in reference to 13 situations around the world under investigation by the International Criminal Court. However, the Tories have said the minister has not set out the govern-

ment’s approach to the other international situations. In a letter written by Russell Findlay, the Scottish Conservative leader accused Mr Gethins of attacking “the only democracy in the Middle East”.

PUPILS SUBJECTED TO RACIST ABUSE

Jewish pupils were among those children subjected to “dreadful” racist over several decades at Edinburgh Academy, which ignored complaints to protect its reputation, the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (SCAI) has found. Inquiry chairwoman Lady Smith found that children were sexually abused by staff over four decades, from the 1950s to the 1980s, and endured physical and emotional abuse. Lady Smith found that homophobia was rife at the academy while racism was prevalent even in the prep school, often involving antiEnglish sentiment, while some pupils were abused by others because they were Jewish or because of their skin colour. Girls were subjected to “abusive misogyny” after the

introduction of co-education in the sixth form. Children were also groomed and sexually assaulted. Broadcaster Nicky Campbell was among those who gave evidence to the SCAI and described being “haunted” by memories of his school days. Perpetrators of the abuse included teacher Hamish Dawson, who died in 2009; former housemaster John Brownlee, who was deemed unfit to stand trial; and teacher Iain Wares, who currently lives in South Africa, where extradition proceedings to return him to Scotland are ongoing. The academy reiterated its “sincere apology” to all those affected by abuse. Lady Smith said: “Children were failed, and failed to the extent that there was dreadful abuse.”

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Jewish News 12 November 2026

News / Shechita debate / Fashion brand axed

Tory MP reignites kosher meat labelling debate Conservative MP Esther McVey has revived plans to make labelling kosher and halal meat compulsory, despite concerns from Jewish campaigners that the proposals unfairly target religious slaughter, writes Annabel Sinclair. The former cabinet minister has brought the legislation back to Parliament eight months after first proposing it, arguing that shoppers are still being left in the dark about how their meat is produced. McVey introduced the bill through a Ten Minute Rule motion in the House of Commons, a procedure allowing backbench MPs to propose legislation in a short speech. It passed its first reading and is due for a second reading on 15 January 2027. The Tatton MP says the proposal is intended to improve consumer choice, animal welfare and transparency. In a post on X on Saturday, she wrote: “Consumers have a right to know what they are eating.” She

added: “At its heart, this is a straightforward proposal built on consumer choice, animal welfare and transparency.” The MP insisted she was not seeking to ban religious slaughter. “It is not about banning halal or kosher meat but about the compulsory labelling of it, which is currently only voluntary, so as to ensure consumers know what they are buying.” The bill would require labels on kosher and halal meat, including products containing it, so shoppers could identify meat prepared according to Jewish or Islamic religious requirements. The proposal has renewed debate over shechita, the Jewish method of slaughter, which does not permit animals to be stunned beforehand. British law generally requires animals to be stunned before slaughter but allows exemptions for religious communities. Some halal meat comes from animals that have been stunned, while shechita requires slaughter

A popular kosher butcher in Golders Green

without pre-stunning. Responding to the latest proposal, Shechita UK said it supported clear information for shoppers but questioned why McVey was focused on religious slaughter rather than all

methods used to kill animals. “Shechita UK fully supports clear, honest information for consumers. Meat sold as kosher is already clearly labelled,” the organisation told Jewish News. “We have always welcomed

an honest, even-handed approach to labelling that specifies all methods of slaughter, not some false binary between ‘stunned’ and ‘unstunned’ that falsely portrays one as good and one as bad.” The organisation said it had approached McVey to discuss its concerns before both the current bill and an earlier version introduced in February, but had received no response. “We have approached Ms McVey both before this Bill and its earlier iteration in February to have a conversation with her and share our position, yet both times our requests have gone unanswered,” it said. Shechita UK also accused the MP of using animal welfare to justify proposals it believes could restrict religious freedom. “Esther McVey’s Bill is far more concerned with people than animals and seeks to restrict the religious freedoms of people of certain faiths rather than protecting animal welfare.”

JOHN LEWIS DROPS BRAND BFHU chief steps down after 18 years IN HAMAS IMAGE OUTCRY John Lewis has removed a Muslim clothing brand from its website after it emerged that the company shared an image showing Hamas terrorists breaching Israel’s border during the 7 October massacre. The high street retailer has confirmed to Jewish News that it has withdrawn Bokitta, a Lebanon-based fashion brand, while investigating social media posts linked to the 2023 attacks. “We were not aware of these posts and have removed the brand while we investigate,” a John Lewis spokesperson told Jewish News. The decision follows an investigation by The Mail on Sunday, which uncovered an image shared on Bokitta’s official Instagram account on 18 October 2023, depicting a paraglider and bulldozer associated with the Hamas-led attacks. The image appears to have remained online for more than three years before being removed following enquiries.

Bokitta’s Instagram post after the Hamas attack

The investigation also uncovered a post by the company’s co-founder, Hala Absi, who described Israelis as “oppressors” on the day of the massacre. “May God protect our brothers and sisters in Palestine and grant us victory over the oppressors,” she wrote alongside a news clip about the attacks. John Lewis had reportedly stocked Bokitta products for at least three years, including £35 hijabs and £70 prayer sets. The revelations have prompted anger from Adam Ma’anit, an Israeli living in Britain whose

cousin, Tsachi, was kidnapped on 7 October and later killed by Hamas. Speaking to The Mail on Sunday, he said: “John Lewis is a national treasure. When our daughter was born, we bought her buggy and baby clothes there. “To see them entangled with a company that celebrated 7 October is a stab to the heart. “John Lewis claims to have strong ethics. They need to prove it by severing ties with Bokitta and issuing a public apology.” Bokitta, founded in Beirut in 2009, describes itself as a fashion brand for

Muslim women. It previously operated a pop-up shop at John Lewis’s Stratford store in East London in September 2023. The company’s website also features articles supporting the Palestinian cause, including one about the Nakba, the displacement of Palestinians during the 1948 war surrounding Israel’s establishment. One article could previously be found through a website menu labelled “Jews” and “Zionist Movement”. The “Jews” label was removed after concerns were raised. Bokitta has denied supporting Hamas or the killing of civilians, saying the image was not created by the company and had been shared without proper consideration. “We recognise that it contains imagery associated with the events of 7 October, during which civilians were attacked and killed,” the company said. “The image should not have been shared as is and it has been removed.”

The chief executive of the executive and I have made British Friends of the many friends along the Hebrew University way; faculty members, is to step down next students, donors, year after 18 years trustees, alumni in the role, writes and Friends of the Michelle Rosenberg, Hebrew UniverNigel Salomon has sity from around the overseen the organiworld - the list is long.” sation’s support for acaHe added: “This is not yet demic recruitment, new Nigel Salomon goodbye, but I would like buildings, teaching and to add a special thank you research facilities, and scholarships to our British Friends community, at the prestigious Jerusalem uni- many multigenerational family versity, which opened in 1925. donors and foundations, who conHe said: “Having had the privi- tinue to display such generosity lege of leading the British Friends and support for the mission of the of the Hebrew University for 18 Hebrew University of Jerusalem. years, I have decided that now is Chair of the British Friends of the right time for a new chief execu- Hebrew University, Alan Jacobs, tive to bring fresh ideas and energy said: “Nigel’s polished and proto the role as the organisation cel- fessional leadership over the last ebrates its 100th anniversary.” 18 years has shaped the British Salomon said: “Having had the Friends into a stable, strong and privilege of leading the British effective donor-focused organiFriends of the Hebrew University sation with a clear mission and for 18 years, I have decided that now values. He has brought a wealth of is the time for a new chief executive talent and expertise to the role and to bring fresh ideas and energy to has built deep, lasting relationships the role as the organisation cel- with our key stakeholders.” ebrates its 100th anniversary.” Jacobs went on to praise Nigel’s He added that working on behalf “energy, passion and commitment” of the Hebrew University of Jeru- alongside the charity’s professional salem “has been a dream come true team as having “enabled our organfor me. I have met so many won- isation to deepen the impact of our derful people in my time as chief charitable purposes.”

www.jewishnews.co.uk

12 November 2026 Jewish News

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Jewish News 12 Novemberr 2026

News / Sheffield Labour / Football fakes

Sheffield Labour U-turns on deal with ‘antisemitic’ Greens Sheffield Labour has decided to keep running the council with the Greens, despite a national Labour order to cut ties over the party’s controversial “Zionism is racism” policy, writes Annabel Sinclair. The decision came just two days after council leader Fran Belbin announced that Labour would end its partnership with the Greens, saying trust between the two parties was “completely broken”. But following last-minute talks on Wednesday, Belbin confirmed the agreement would continue after local Green councillors made concessions over the policy, which has sparked fears among Jewish residents. The move puts Sheffield Labour at odds with its national leadership, which ordered 11 councils to end partnerships with the Greens unless local councillors publicly rejected the motion. The policy, passed at the Green Party conference last month, declares Zionism a form of racism and commits the party to treating it as such. Belbin, who previously called the motion “shameful and antisemitic”, said the Greens had now acknowledged that not all Zionists were racist and that people had a right to selfdetermination. “I am genuinely grateful to

Footage allegedly showing pro-Palestinian badges handed out at a London Tube station

the Green group for the constructive way that they have approached conversations with us today about this,” she told councillors. However, Sheffield Greens have not publicly rejected the original motion, raising questions

LIVERPOOL FC TARGETS FAKE PALESTINE SHIRTS Liverpool FC is taking action against unofficial Palestine-themed football shirts using its famous badge amid concern that fans could mistake them for club-approved merchandise. The Premier League club is reporting online sellers using its branding without permission, after shirts featuring altered versions of several English football clubs’ crests appeared for sale. The designs, sold through a website called From Palestine to the World, feature pro-Palestinian slogans alongside badges resembling those of Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea. Liverpool’s shirt replaces the initials “L.F.C.” with “P.L.C.”, while Manchester

United’s badge has been changed to include the words “with Gaza”. Manchester City’s blue shirt features the slogan “Palestine airways” across the front, while Chelsea’s design includes a modified lion badge reading “Palestine club”. Liverpool confirmed its response after UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) contacted all four clubs last month, warning that the merchandise could give the false impression that they supported the political messages. The club said it would continue monitoring the situation and taking steps to protect its branding. The other three clubs also responded to UKLFI’s letters, although none confirmed similar action.

MET APOLOGISES FOR ARREST The Metropolitan Police has apologised to a pro-Palestinian activist and settled a legal claim after admitting he was wrongly arrested under anti-terrorism laws. Tej Singh Bhandal, 68, was detained at London’s St Pancras International station on 2 June after refusing to give officers the PIN code to his mobile phone while returning to Britain on Eurostar. The activist, who is involved in the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, was stopped under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000, which allows police to question people at borders without needing reasonable suspicion. He spent several hours in custody before challenging his arrest.

The Met has now dropped its criminal investigation and agreed to settle the claim after accepting that officers had failed to meet the legal requirements for his arrest. According to Bhandal’s lawyers, police also acknowledged that supporting or funding lawful political protest groups, including the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement and the PSC, did not automatically establish links to terrorism. Bhandal described his arrest as “incredibly humiliating” and “an abuse of power”. He said: “I was handcuffed and led through the station in full view of the public. I felt like the tabloid newspaper stereotype of a person of colour, and I was treated like a criminal.”

about whether Labour’s national leadership will allow the partnership to continue. The local Labour group will now need approval from the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC).

Environment Secretary Dame Angela Eagle warned on Thursday that Labour’s position had not changed. “What happens in Sheffield will be a matter for both the party chair and the NEC to decide, and I hope that the Labour group in Sheffield will bear that in mind as they make their decision,” she said. The U-turn has drawn criticism from opposition councillors, while supporters of the motion celebrated the decision. Anti-Israel activist Ashok Kumar wrote: “Sheffield Labour capitulates. Greens didn’t give an inch.” Liberal Democrat group leader Martin Smith accused Labour of a “shameful abandonment of principle”. “Just days ago, Labour was telling us that trust with the Greens was completely broken and that it could no longer work together. Now it has decided to carry on as if nothing happened,” he said. Labour has 25 councillors in Sheffield, while the Greens have 20, meaning neither party has enough seats to control the 84-member council alone. Belbin said a further statement explaining how the two parties would continue working together was expected in the coming days.

We protect Protecting and securing the Jewish community in the UK against antisemitism is what we do. CST will leave no stone unturned in the fight against those who wish to do us harm. But we need your ongoing and long-term support to continue our work. A gift in your will to CST will ensure that our community is not only protected against the continuous threat of antisemitism but is also given the security necessary to flourish in the future.

12 November 2026 Jewish News

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Academic isolation / Special Report

Academic boycotts undercut Palestinian rights, profs warn by Lee Harpin lee@jewishnews.co.uk @lmharpin

The orchestrated campaign to cut off Israeli academia, led by universities and scholarly bodies in Europe and South America, and by some in the UK, is targeting one of the most pro-Palestinian sectors within the Jewish state, leading professors have warned. Dozens of universities in countries such as Spain, Belgium and Ireland have joined with institutions in Brazil and other Latin nations to cut links with Israeli academia, amid claims that it is complicity in the Israeli government’s actions towards Palestinians. While the UK lags some of its European counterparts, there are growing signs of increasing pressure on university chiefs by pro-Palestine activists to cancel existing courses over alleged links with Israel, its military, and its government. Speaking to Jewish News in Tel Aviv this week, Professor Yuval Shani of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem described a “highly organised and well-funded campaign” against Israeli academia, characterised by a range of

Israeli academics warned about the sustained campaign to boycott their institutions

measures targeting all universities. These actions include suspending student exchange and joint research programs and selectively excluding Israeli researchers from international collaborations, espe-

your legacy

Community Security Trust is a registered charity in England and Wales (1042391) and Scotland (SC043612)

❝ THE ACADEMIC

SECTOR IS MOST SYMPATHETIC TO THE PALESTINIAN CAUSE

cially in European Union-funded projects. “We are witnessing a dramatic drop in Israel’s success rate in European research grant competitions, from being among the highest in Europe to less than ﬁve percent,” he said. Shani, an inaugural Accelerator Fellow at the Ethics in AI Institute at the University of Oxford, further described symbolic exclusions, such as Israeli faculty being invited to conferences but denied the right to display their university affiliation. Paradoxically, Shani argues that academia and culture are targeted despite being the most sympathetic to the Palestinian cause. He reasoned that those who campaigned for boycotts were happy for this fact to be largely overlooked. “The academic sector is among the most sympathetic to the Palestinian cause,” he explained, noting that Palestinian students make up 20 percent of the student body, reflecting their demographic share of the population. Universities have also increased efforts to recruit Palestinian faculty and have appointed Palestinian vice presidents and university presidents. Israeli universities, Shani emphasised, “have taken public stands critical of government policies, protected the right of Palestinian students to protest, and promoted diversity at the leadership level”. He questioned the logic of targeting academia, saying: “If the aim is to change Israeli government policy, boycotting our most progressive institutions is counter-

productive.” Instead, he suggested: “Such measures may reflect a broader intention to delegitimise the state of Israel.” His argument was supported by Maureen Adiri Meyer, the director of Tel Aviv University’s highly regarded international student courses. She told Jewish News: “Our president has been very loud and outspoken about what he thinks of many of the things happening here. He, together with the head of all the Israeli universities, has written multiple letters to the government. As a university we’re independent from the political system in Israel. “It’s not like that everywhere in the world, but we are under the Council for Higher Education, which is not directly connected to the political government or anything. The funding is public funding, but it’s not under the government in any way. The current Ministry of Education does not like us at all because there are a lot of disagreements on many topics. Shani later confirmed that, as one of the Israeli legal scholars leading the fightback against calls for academic boycotts, the UK was not one of the worst offenders. But legal action had been taken on occasions. Few institutions in the UK, France, and Germany have announced they are cutting links with Israeli academia, with Universities UK saying it does not support an academic boycott. “So some universities have signed on to the BDS platform, which basically says no institutional relations with Israeli universities, meaning you cannot have any form of collaboration with an Israeli university,” explained Shany. “You would not have a student exchange program. You will not facilitate any assistance in promotion. You will not engage in joint research projects. “Relatively few universities in the West have signed on to a full-fledged BDS, partly because it violates domestic anti-discrimination laws. So going all the way towards BDS is politically and also sometimes legally costly for universities. But we have a lot of many more than 50 shades of grey here, and there are a lot of grey boycotts.” In the UK, Nobel laureate and former president of the Royal Society Venki Ramakrishnan last year told the Guardian he has mixed feelings about boycotts. “On the one hand, the Israeli government’s approach to Gaza has been hugely disproportionate, harming civilians, including young children, in the thousands,” he said. “On the other hand, most Israeli academics I know, including several I count as my friends, detest Netanyahu and his government. A boycott of this would penalise those who are not responsible for the actions of the Israeli government, and who in fact are very sympathetic to the plight of Palestinians.” Meyer was less positive about the actions of UK universities, insisting things had been problematic with British attempts to cut ties. “We do have a very strong partnership with the University of Manchester,” she added. “They’ve stayed wonderful partners, continuing joint calls for joint research up till a month ago; but they’re getting a lot of pushback from student movements.”

10 Jewish News 12 November 2026

www.jewishnews.co.uk

News / Jake Marlowe Memorial Scholarship

Jake’s legacy lives on through scholarship for young Israelis Jake Marlowe’s mother has spoken of her pride that his memory will live on through a scholarship scheme to support Israeli youngsters who share his passions, writes Justin Cohen. The 26-year-old was killed by Hamas terrorists on 7 October 2023 while rescuing attendees at Nova Festival, where he was doing security. Addressing Youth Aliyah Child Rescue’s annual dinner, Lisa Marlowe spoke of her son’s “big heart and most beautiful soul. He had that rare gift of making people feel seen. He was full of life and full of courage. He was and always will be a true hero.” Nothing would ever be the same for her after her “angel in the sky” was so cruelly taken, but she said the charity’s five youth villages supporting at-risk youngsters Lisa Marlowe addresses Youth Aliyah Child Rescue’s annual dinner are about “showing children Established in 1933 to support children who have already experienced too student who lost her father soon much pain that they’re not forafter her IDF service. The schol- fleeing the Nazis, Youth Aliyah operates five arship will enable her to follow educational villages for youngsters who can’t gotten,” she told the gathering at Jake Marlowe her dreams as a classical pianist. live at home due to neglect, poverty, abuse or the Nobu Hotel. “We can’t always The musician, artist and startup founder fleeing war abroad. change what happens to a child, but we can Lisa – who met the charity’s CEO Daliah said, “It felt like someone had thrown me a change what happens next.” She announced the second recipient of The lifeline just as I was about to drown,” before Mehdi at weekly hostage vigils in BorehamJake Marlowe Memorial Scholarship as Lera thanking Jake’s parents and performing Eden wood – recalled visiting Neve Hadassah. She said, “Standing there surrounded by all that Dzharkinova, a Neve Hadassah Youth Village Golan’s Eurovision hit, October Rain.

hope and possibility, I couldn’t help thinking about Jake and what he would have been made of.” The event also heard from Daniel Kaganovitch, a graduate of the same village, who spoke of getting into fights at school and being on the verge of expulsion after losing his father at just 11. After being sent to the principal on one occasion, he was surprised to be offered the chance to sit an exam for a course in computing. He said, “This moment was very important to me... the first time someone saw me beyond my mistakes. I did the exam and went to the course. I even started to teach other students and started to plan my future for the first time. “Today I’m a husband and proud father of two amazing daughters. I worked for 12 years in the tech industry. I used to help others in the army, and I’m helping people to get jobs, including Neve Hadassah graduates. My dream is to sit where you sit as philanthropists, helping the next generation to discover what they want to become in their lives.” Opening the evening – which raised more than £450,000 – Youth Aliyah co-chairs Aron Taylor and Eran Eytan Alvarez thanked former chairman Melvin Robinson, saying “much of the charity’s strength today is part his vision”.

Aliyah: building dreams and saving tax •

Tax-efficient investing before and after Aliyah

•

Tax-efficient income after 10-year tax-free period

•

Receive your entire pension pot tax-free

•

Specialist portfolio management for Olim

•

No Inheritance Tax (for non-UK-situated assets)

We are seasoned experts in providing long-term financial planning advice for those making Aliyah. Scan the QR code to read more.

With investing, your capital is at risk. Tax treatments are subject to individual circumstances and are subject to change. Raymond James Investment Services Limited is a member of the London Stock Exchange and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered in England and Wales No. 3779657. Registered office: Ropemaker Place, 25 Ropemaker Street, London EC2Y 9LY.

230 Golders Green Road, London, NW11 9AT | 020 8202 1944 | GoldersGreen@RaymondJames.com

GoldersGreen.RaymondJames.uk.com

20250124_RJ_Golders_Green_Half_PG_Ad_2025_Building_Dreams_Saving_Tax_CM_V_4.indd 1

29/01/2025 10:51

12 November 2026 Jewish News

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Hospital campaign / News

Activists target NHS racism training The Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead is the latest medical hub to have been targeted by pro-Palestinian activists distributing leaflets claiming that forthcoming NHS antisemitism training will be “pro-Israel indoctrination”. The group also claims a recent review of antisemitism within the NHS is “racist”. As reported by The Telegraph, the ‘Global Health for Palestine’ group has targeted treatment rooms and waiting areas inside the hospital, in activity condemned by the Royal Free London Foundation Trust. A spokesman for the trust said: “Campaigning activity of any kind is not permitted on our premises and as soon as we became aware of the leaflets being distributed, our security team asked the individuals involved to leave the site and the leaflets were destroyed.” Lord Mann, the independent adviser to the government on antisemitism, published his review of the NHS earlier this year. It described

The Royal Free Hospital serves a large Jewish population in London

how Jewish people in the NHS experience “routine ostracism”, with Jewish staff being the only religious group in the latest NHS staff survey for whom discrimination from colleagues is rising rather than falling, resulting in some considering leaving the service. The review recommended that the IHRA definition of antisemitism, viewed as the gold standard definition by all mainstream

The leaﬂet

Jewish communal organisations in the UK, be adopted by NHS trusts. The government accepted the report and the recommendations in full, which has led to backlash from anti-Israel activists, who accused the measures of silencing their right to free speech. At its conference in the summer, the British Medical Association voted to oppose

the IHRA definition of antisemitism being adopted by NHS trusts, and multiple trusts were subsequently sent a legal opinion drafted on behalf of pro-Palestinian activists, which warned trusts of potential legal difficulties they might expose themselves to if they adopted the IHRA definition. Subsequently, another legal opinion sent out on behalf of the Jewish Medical Association assured trusts that no such difficulties were likely to exist. Caroline Turner, director of legal campaign group UK Lawyers for Israel, described the leaflets as “intimidating and upsetting to Jewish and Israeli patients and their families, particularly as they are in a vulnerable state”. “Jewish patients and NHS staff are entitled to feel safe and respected, without being confronted by hostile political campaigning. “The Royal Free Hospital should investigate how these inflammatory leaflets came to be distributed on its premises.”

NEWSPAPER ACCUSED OF TERRORIST ‘WHITEWASH’ The Observer newspaper has been condemned by Jewish leaders after publishing a sympathetic front-page interview with the co-founder of proscribed terrorist organisation Palestine Action, with one group describing the decision as “grotesque”. Days after a Supreme Court

hearing as to whether the government’s proscription of the group was legally valid, the Sunday national paper featured a front page interview with Huda Ammori, who brought the legal challenge, with the quote: “It was beyond our comprehension that Palestine Action could become a ter-

rorist organisation”, going on to say that “everything we were doing was to save lives in Palestine”. Writing on X in response to The Observer’s front page, David Toube, the Jewish Leadership Council’s general counsel, made his personal thoughts very clear: “Just in case you

were in any doubt as to where the husk of The Observer stands on the whole ‘smashing up our defence industry, crippling a policewoman, and terrorising Jews’ issue”, he wrote. No date has yet been given for the final Supreme Court judgment on Palestine Action.

Your Legacy. Their Future. For 125 years, JNF UK has stood alongside the people of Israel, strengthening communities, improving lives and creating opportunities. Gifts left in Wills have played an important part in this work, enabling supporters to leave a lasting legacy that continues to make a difference long after their lifetime.

Find out how you can help shape Israel’s future with a gift in your Will:

Visit www.jnf.co.uk/legacy or call 020 8732 6101 SCAN FOR MORE INFORMATION Reg Charity No: 225910

12 Jewish News 12 November 2026

www.jewishnews.co.uk

World News / USA / Sweden / Australia

YOU WAIT AGES FOR A RABBI... Hundreds of rabbis gathered for a group photo in front of Chabad-Lubavitch world headquarters in the Brooklyn, New York City, on Sunday as part of an annual meeting of rabbis and Jewish leaders from more than 100 countries. ( Photo: Andres Kudacki/AP )

Sweden criminalises Holocaust denial The Swedish Government this week formally moved to criminalise Holocaust denial, taking a major step in the ﬁght against rising antisemitic tensions in the country. Sweden’s Freedom of the Press Act and Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression, the newly-enacted legislation — set to take eﬀect in 2027, classes Holocaust denial as incitement against an ethnic group, as Swedish lawmakers unanimously approved

the legislation in a ﬁnal vote. Breach of the new law could lead to potentially up to two years in prison. The Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem said Sweden had taken an “important step” in criminalising denial under its constitution. “Holocaust denial and distortion not only falsify history, they contribute to the spread of antisemitism and desecrate the memory

of the six million Jews murdered by the Nazis and their collaborators,” wrote Yad Vashem in a statement sent to JNS. “There must be no tolerance for attempts to erase, minimise or distort the crimes of the Holocaust.” Sweden has seen a sharp rise in antisemitic incidents since the the war in Gaza. In one incident, controversial Swedish artist Dan Park – whose work has repeatedly drawn accusations of racism – sparked

outrage among the country’s Jewish community and political ﬁgures after displaying a sign reading “Jew-Free Zone” inside a Star of David outside a shoe store in Stockholm, the country’s capital. The Swedish government is hoping that the new law will help crack down on post 7 October antisemitism, creating a safer environment for the Jewish community to live peacefully.

SHOAH SURVIVOR DIES FROM BONDI INJURIES A 90-year-old Holocaust survivor who was shot during the Bondi Beach Chanukah terror attack has died nearly a year after the massacre, bringing the death toll to 16, writes Annabel Sinclair. Eva Geller, who escaped Nazi persecution as a child before building a new life in Australia, died last Thursday after months of hospital treatment for injuries sustained in the shooting. She was among dozens wounded when two gunmen opened ﬁre on a Jewish Chanukah celebration at Sydney’s Bondi Beach on 14 December 2025. Despite being told she would never walk again, Geller deﬁed doctors’ expectations and managed to walk again before her death. Rabbi Aron Moss, of Sydney’s Nefesh Synagogue, paid tribute to her determination, describing her as “positive, loving and strong throughout her life, right until the end”. Speaking about her recovery, he said: “Ever since being shot at the Bondi attack, she’d been in and out of hospital, always wanting to come home. She was told she will never walk again, but miraculously and with incredible determination she did walk again.”

Rabbi Moss recalled that Geller “came to shul this past High Holy Days with an incredible show of strength”. He added: “She escaped the Holocaust as a child, eventually coming to Australia, and built a beautiful family.” Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed his condolences, saying the country would never forget those who “continue to carry the pain” of the attack. New South Wales Police conﬁrmed they were aware of Geller’s death and were awaiting further information from the coroner. The shooting, which targeted Jewish families celebrating Chanukah, was allegedly carried out by father and son Sajid and Naveed Akram, who police say were inspired by the Islamic State. Sajid was shot dead by police at the scene, while his son survived and faces multiple charges, including 15 counts of murder and a terrorism oﬀence. Geller’s death comes as Australia continues to examine the failures surrounding the attack, with a government-backed inquiry into antisemitism due to report on 18 December. Eva Geller survived the Nazis as a child but never fully recovered after being shot at a Jewish Chanukah celebration in Bondi Beach

12 November 2026 Jewish News

www.jewishnews.co.uk

A place in your heart. A place in your Will. Leave a Jewish Legacy to the causes that matter most to you. A gift in your Will, of any size, can help the charities you care about continue their vital work for generations to come. Jewish Legacy provides free information and guidance to help you explore your options, find a charity to support and take the next step. Let’s start a conversation on 020 3375 6248 or by emailing gina@jewishlegacygiving.org.uk

November is Legacy Awareness Month. Take our free online interactive quiz to find your perfect charity match!

Jewishlegacy.org.uk Registered charity 1144193 | Company 07660876

Current Jewish Legacy Partners:

14 Jewish News 12 November 2026

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Special Report / Omer Shem Tov’s Meeting Myself in Hell

What happens to the mind when the light disappears Omer Shem Tov spent 505 days as a Hamas hostage. In this exclusive extract from his new memoir, he describes his despair in the dark Tibetan monks once practised an ancient darkness retreat. This was a profound spiritual isolation reserved for the most senior practitioners, who would spend weeks living in a completely dark room, without any light at all. By severing ties to the outside world, they sought a state of deep inner contemplation, stripped of sensory distraction. It was a practice of extreme intensity. In Tibetan Buddhism, forty-nine days mark the bardo, the time between death and the next incarnation. It is the transit of the soul as it leaves one body and passes into another. Judaism also counts forty-nine days. The period between Passover and Shavuot is known as the Omer. We share a name. My days. These days between the festival of freedom and the revelation at Mount Sinai symbolize a slow purification, a journey of preparation for receiving the Torah. Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai sat in a cave for twelve years. When he emerged into the light, he could not bear the world which had continued uninterrupted. His gaze scorched anything it touched. Recoiling from the mundane routines of people who had not spent a decade sealed in darkness and damp to shed their egos, he returned to the cave. For years now, Tibetan monks have replaced the darkness retreat with other spiritual practices. The technique was discontinued because practitioners couldn’t withstand it. It is too long for any human—no matter how spiritual—to be alone in the dark. They went insane. I’ve been in the dark for forty-nine days plus one. — They shove me into the cell. The ceiling slopes. At its highest it’s about one meter sixty-five. I’m one eighty. I can’t stand upright. It’s a meter wide. I can’t stretch out my arms. Three meters long. I can lie down. I immediately lie down near the entrance on a thin mattress placed over the concrete floor. I begin breathing heavily. My body feels heavy. I’m sweating. Another attack. I try to breathe as deeply as I can. I can’t. They open the door for a moment and see that I can’t breathe. I try, gasping, to explain that I need an inhaler. I gesture spraying into my mouth. The one who speaks Hebrew isn’t here. There’s no chance they understand me. They probably think I want a bottle. The terrorist above me seems to understand something adjacent to what I mean, but I need him to understand exactly. He speaks to the other and runs off somewhere. He’ll probably come back in two days. I shove a finger down my throat. My stomach contracts but nothing comes out. I wasted that earlier. I used to hear about people dying from

Omer Shem Tov during the emotional reunion with his family in February 2025

asthma attacks and couldn’t understand how. Now I know. The door opens. Something light and metallic hits my head. An inhaler. They close the bars, and then the blast door. As it slams, it makes a sound of total sealing, like a vacuum. As if they corked me into a bottle. In a single moment their voices disappear. With the inhaler, my breathing settles. I can think more slowly. What a relief. What are the chances of finding an inhaler here, the deepest pit in Gaza. What is this place? Where am I? I try to understand. Without their flashlights it becomes dark. Very dark. The most absolute dark imaginable. It’s a darkness that’s impossible to describe. I wave my hand in front of my face, trying to work out if I can see anything: if not shapes, then perhaps movements. Nothing. I see nothing. I sit in the dark. I have no way of knowing how much time passes. I never knew how much our sense of time depends on space, like how taste is connected to smell. After quite a while, someone opens the door. They’ve come to look at me. I have no way of knowing whether an hour passed or an entire night. Maybe they woke up bored and in the mood for a midnight ghost story. If it’s morning, maybe I didn’t sleep. Or maybe I did, because I don’t remember doing anything else. Maybe darkness erases memory. They stand outside the bars, amused. The Yahudi is in the cage, something to look at. They ask me questions, stare at me, discuss me among themselves. I don’t understand. One of them opens the cell and steps inside, pressing me against the wall. He crouches forward toward the far end of the cage. Laughter erupts as another one enters.

He’s the guard of the cell, short and thin, and doesn’t need to bend when he reaches the far end. Someone drops to his knees and imitates him walking, and they burst into rolling laughter. Then another enters. He pushes me against the first two. They smile. This compression experiment seems to interest them. They’re curious about the results. It seems this is basically the Weizmann Institute. Another one enters. And another. And another. And another. They talk among themselves, passing Arabic comments over my head like a ball. Maybe they’re sharing research results. Maybe they’re mocking me. They laugh, crammed together. Twelve men. They all look at me to see how I react. It gets hot and I start gasping again, unable to get the air I need to breathe. I’m worth more to them alive. And if they want me alive, I can’t stay in here another minute. The short one who asked how I was yesterday, the Hebrew speaker, is wedged three people away from the exit. I tell him I can’t breathe and gesture wildly at my windpipe. He doesn’t move. Just says something to them and they laugh. The tall one beside him says something sharply and they respond. He shoves them and pulls me out by force, lifting me over the two squeezed between us. They carry me out over their arms, like a groom lifted onto chairs at a drunken wedding. Outside the cell there’s a breeze, relatively speaking, for a tunnel deep underground. Dizziness hits me. I vomit a little liquid. The Hebrew speaker scolds the ones still packed inside. They come out one by one. When the cell empties, they throw me back in. The short one closes behind me and seals the door. Within seconds I can’t see my hand again. When I used to skateboard, my body would

tense before steep drops. When they drove me here, I tensed. During the bombings, I tensed. Last night I tensed. But the stress here is completely different. Internal. I try to talk to myself like in the mirror of the apartment. I sit on the mattress, hold my hand in front of my face as if it were the mirror, and say: Omer, get a grip. You have to believe you’ll get out of here. In this darkness, the words sound ridiculous. I can’t even see my hand-mirror. The old methods I developed to steady myself are no longer relevant. I fall asleep. When I wake, I automatically search for Itay, reaching for him. And then remember. Itay isn’t here. He’s in the light. Where am I? My eyes don’t function. I can’t even see myself blinking. It doesn’t matter which direction I’m facing. No difference between eyes open and closed. The space is small. I panic and feel along the tiled walls, the mattress, the concrete floor beneath it. I press my hands against the walls. Their touch is intensely tangible. Smooth. Cool. With every passing moment, I lose confidence in myself and in my body. Maybe I’m dead, I think to myself. After all, I’ve never died before. Maybe this is what it’s like. An eternity of darkness stares at me piercingly. I toss and turn on the thin mattress. I’m desperate to fall asleep, take a break from this nightmare, let go. But I can’t. Until now, throughout all of this here, even under the most extreme stress, I always fell asleep. My chest tightens in spasms, as if someone is pouring boiling water onto my heart every few minutes. I take long, jagged breaths, trying to peel away the layer of fear wrapping it. But my heart insists on staying alert, a self-appointed guardian. As if someone gave it an order from above: If you sleep, you die. My heart stays awake and won’t let my mind sleep, even when my body collapses into brief dozing spells. I only realize I’ve drifted off when I bolt upright in a fit of hysteria, like a sentry caught sleeping at his post. A short terrorist with a headlamp suddenly enters and brings me rice and beans. He squeezes in beside me. They don’t use their real names. Each chooses a fake one. This one is “Moshe”. He pronounces it sarcastically, with almost no accent. I’ve already learned that Hebrew in Gaza usually means time spent in an Israeli prison. That’s the fastest path to Hebrew fluency here. Moshe speaks to me in slang, teasing me. He says Netanyahu wants to pump seawater into the tunnels. They’re always talking about Netanyahu. Netanyahu wants to kill. Netanyahu wants to conquer. Everything is Netanyahu. Now Netanyahu wants to flood the tunnels. “If that

12 November 2026 Jewish News

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Omer Shem Tov’s Meeting Myself in Hell / Special Report happens,” he says, “we’ll leave you here.” I imagine the water rising. Everyone else escaping, leaving me shackled. I see the water lifting the mattress, rising past my legs, my shoulders, my head. This entire cell is the size of my bathroom at home. Fear paralyses me, I can’t answer him. The water hasn’t arrived, but the terror is already a flood. Darkness takes over the moment Moshe leaves and seals the door. Finally, maybe thanks to the meager food, I fall asleep. When I wake–after that familiar moment of panic of realising that even though I see nothing, I am awake and here–I begin to map the space, feeling along the concrete floor. It is mainly smooth, but with small lumps. Whoever did the plastering splattered. My dad wouldn’t be happy if he could see it. Even when he’s just working in the garden, everything he does is perfect. No cutting corners. How has my father not come to get me yet? That’s not the dad I know, the one I’d call drunk at two in the morning because the police caught me on an electric bike and deflated the tires, who’d always show up like an Uber driver without saying a word. Even the grout between the tiles is crooked. Suddenly I forget what they look like. Just a moment ago I saw them, and now I’ve forgotten again. I can’t retrieve them. When I used to wait tables at Meat Bar, I’d stand quietly while customers decided what they wanted, listening to conversations at nearby tables. Even if they’d already picked a burger but hadn’t chosen regular or

Omer signing copies of his new memoir, Meeting Myself in Hell

double, I’d wait patiently, listening. The one on a diet debating if she can allow herself. The man lecturing his wife that meat is murder. The father telling his child to finish because it’s what he ordered and it wasn’t cheap. What funny problems. What wouldn’t I give now for even a third of a burger. Who cares if it’s regular or double. Everything seems so trivial, so far from the real world. In most conversations, people don’t speak the quiet part out loud. The father says eat but means, be quiet. The man

opposing meat really wants to say, love me. The woman on a diet wants to hear, you’re beautiful, worthy. My mother says I speak all the social languages. When they separated me from Itay, I was jealous he’d get to stay with the terrorist. Even speaking to terrorists is a social language. Here, there is no language. I just want to see something. Feel something. Talk to someone. Even if the short guard would come in for a moment. Mousa. Moses. A million voices scream inside my head. I hear myself, Itay, Maya, the terrorist, my

parents, customers from Meat Bar. Others I can’t identify. God, I have to get out of here. The list is in my coat pocket. I cannot read it in the dark. I feel it with my hand. I worked so hard to hold onto positive thinking until now, on believing I’d get out. But the darkness loosens my grip. It never lets go, never blinks. I can’t blink. I no longer have strength to hold you all in my head and worry about you worrying. I can’t hold it anymore. I’m tired of worrying about you. You can’t get me out, and I can’t keep worrying about you. In a few more days I’ll probably forget what you look like. I stand, stretch, turn my head side to side, sit on the mattress again. They’re probably sitting in the living room under that big painting of David D’Or and losing their minds. I never understood that painting. Just blotches. I could make blotches and call myself a painter. Now I can only dream of being able to look at blotches. In this darkness, blotches would be the most interesting thing in the world. I wave my fingers in front of my face. Maybe I’ll see a blotch. Nothing. Pitch black. How much time has passed, I have no idea. The only way I can anchor myself is by counting the meals they bring. One a day. The short one brings the same rice and beans, more tasteless each day. He’s come four times. I assume he comes once a day, that four days have passed, but I’m no longer certain he came four times.

16 Jewish News 12 November 2026

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Editorial comment and letters to the editor

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

THIS WEEKEND'S SHABBAT TIMES... Shabbat comes in Friday night 3.59pm

Shabbat goes out Saturday night 5.03pm

Sedra: Toledot

have you believe being “pro-Israel” means supporting every policy of the Netanyahu government without distinction and screaming “traitor” at those who dare offer any counterpoint or nuance. Equally unserious is the idea that writing the words “I Oppose Genocide, I Support Palestine Action” on a placard is an assault on ancient fundamental rights to protest. One need only remove the last word from that sentence to completely avoid the bite of counter-terror laws. This is not a difficult point to grasp – especially for those priests and octogenarians who claim they are being arrested “just” for a placard. If the word “Hamas” or “ISIS” were substituted instead, there would be no debate about their arrest on the grounds of their age or piety.

Naji Tilley, N3

MAD ABOUT THE BOY

BIZARRE BOYCOTT

How refreshing to see Boy George in Israel. At a time when so many in the creative world seem determined to condemn the country from afar, it is encouraging to see a major artist willing to visit and judge it for himself. Perhaps his example will encourage others to do the same. Israel is a far more complex and diverse place than its loudest critics would have us believe. More artists should go and see it for themselves rather than simply follow the crowd. Who knows, a little firsthand experience might even bring some balance to an increasingly one-sided cultural debate.

The absurdity of academic boycotts against Israel is laid bare by your report this week. Those campaigning to isolate Israeli universities are targeting the institutions most committed to Palestinian rights, coexistence and challenging their own government. How does silencing moderate voices advance the cause of peace? It doesn’t. It merely punishes those working towards it. Universities should be places where ideas are exchanged, not where dialogue is sacrificed on the altar of political purity.

Sami Allan, Leeds

Emma Callider, By email

KOSHER SUPPER

WREATH PROTEST Readers may like to know about the following occurence on Remembrance Sunday. In protest at the antisemitic ‘Zionism is Racism’ policy of the Green Party, the Hackney branch of The Association of Jewish Ex-Servicemen and Women abstained from Hackney’s wreath laying and march, owing to the presence of the Green mayor. We did not want to be associated in any way, with the scurrilous Jew hatred of the Greens, or be seen to give them credibility. Martin Sugarman, Chair, Hackney AJEX

Support your Jewish community. Support your Jewish News Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Unlike other Jewish media, we do not charge for content. That won’t change. Because we are charity-owned and free, we rely on advertising to cover our costs. This vital lifeline, which has dropped in recent years, has fallen further due to coronavirus. Today we’re asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do. For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain. Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life. You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with. 100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity.

Support Jewish News by visiting our donor page at jewishnews.co.uk

27 May 2020

When Jesus and his disciples ate the Last Supper, the lamb they consumed had been slaughtered by shechita – the Jewish humane method. Present day opponents of shechita might care to reflect on this. Professor Geoffrey Alderman, By email

BRITAIN’S BLIND SPO T •

16 Sivan 5781

•

Issue No.1212

•

@JewishNews

We’ve never been racism, so why so focused on fighting the deafenin g silence as antisemitism spirals out of control? • Hospital probes ‘cutth

• Driver with Israel roat gesture’ to Jewish patient attacked in Golders Green • Cruciﬁxion banneri ﬂataghuge pro-Palesti • BBC journalist’s #Hitle nian demo • Nearly 300 antisemitic rwasright tweet revealed

ANTI-JEWISH

RACISM – THE

incidents in under

MADNESS SPREAD

‘It’s okay not to be okay’ BOO KVE DRI

S: Pages 2,

3 weeks

3, 4, 5, 6, 7,

8, 20, 22 &

DONATE ONLINE

AT ORTUK.O Alternatively, RG/BOOKS to donate via text Text 8ORT to donate £8 or 16ORT to donate £16 to 70085

Help ORT UK raise £50,000 children’s FR books to gift 7,000 across the globe

Journey’s end Fredd ie’s

Covid cancels Israel tours for second summer Page 10

VOICE 22 April 2021

•

OF TH E COM M

10 Iyar 5781

•

Issue No.1207

23 1105254

Continued from page 1 governing mandate . The fact that Gadi Eisenkot was given the opportunity first is another indication of the size of the ‘anti-Bibi’ bloc. Some 84 years ago, in a very different context (a battle some 300 miles from where Israel’s Kerem Shalom border crossing now stands), Winston Churchill remarked that “this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.” Gadi Eisenkot now has the opportunity to build a coalition which could pave the way for the end of the 77-year old Netanyahu’s domination of the Israeli political landscape. This will not be easy. While the one thing uniting an extraordinarily large demographic of Israeli society (even Netanyahu’s longstanding strictly-Orthodox partners now seem far more amenable to cutting a deal with his opponents) is the sense that Bibi has led for too long, it is about the only issue that unites them. Moreover, Israel’s Arab bloc, which won a historic 19 Knesset seats, cannot and should not be ignored. Ra’am has served in an Israeli government before – it should do so again. But nothing is certain, and there are few politicians more experienced – or more cynical – than Benjamin Netanyahu. Eisenkot, a former IDF Chief of Staff, has the example of his predecessor to look to. Four years ago, Benny Gantz was Bibi’s chief opponent. Last month he withdrew ahead of the elections after it became clear his party was unlikely to to clear the country’s electoral threshold; a lesson, if one were needed, in how military strategy is vastly different to political strategy. This paper has made no secret of its belief that Benjamin Netanyahu should no longer serve as Israel’s prime minister. The slaughter of the largest number of Jews since the Holocaust happened on his watch; he has since sought to blame anyone other than himself. Even prior to 7 October 2023, his government’s attempts to strip the country’s Supreme Court of its powers had led to massive internal discontent. Abroad, the supposed Great Communicator has reduced Israel to a point where it has abandoned its previously bipartisan mode of international diplomacy in favour of close alliances with hard right politicians and barely disguised contempt for anyone else. And his decision to embrace the ideological successors of Meir Kahane is an ongoing source of deep shame to many whose love for Israel is unimpeachable. For all this and more, it is vital that Gadi Eisenkot is successful. It would be foolish to express the hope that a change of government will improve Israel’s standing – those who loathe Israel’s existence will not change their minds because Netanyahu is gone. But for the sake of the Israeli people, the stability they long for and the relationship between the Jewish diaspora and the Jewish State, we hope that the coming weeks herald the formation of a new coalition which can begin the process of rebuilding what has been broken. Israel’s future depends on it.

Your recent joint editorial with the Jewish Chronicle was absolutely correct to warn of the dangers of the UK Supreme Court reversing the ban on Palestine Action (28 October). Just as important as drawing attention to their appalling activities (which clearly meet the legal criteria for proscription) is the need to call out the risible attempts by various pro-Palestine campaigners to make the ban about “civil liberties”. It requires little intelligence to understand the difference between lawful protests in support of the Palestinian cause per se - including the many groups organising lawful marches and seeking to change government policy - and one specific, banned terror group. Many of these malcontents, ironically, are the same people who would

Charity number

Israel needs a new beginning

The hypocrisy of crowds

century! UK registered

VOICE OF THE JEWISH NEWS

Beloved survivor’s 100th birthday P31

THE JACOB FOUNDATION Jewish News is owned by The Jacob Foundation, a registered UK charity promoting

UNITY

Time to en the divide d •

@JewishNews

Landmark revie racism in the w of Jewish community calls for:

Jewish community and between British Jews and wider society. Jewish News promotes these

• End to racial

at communal profiling events • Synagogues ‘welcoming to create committees’ • Word ‘Shvart understood zer’ to be as a racial slur • Sephardi, Mizrah songs in Ashken i and Yemenite azi • Schools to increas synagogues e focus on colonialism and black history • ...and Facebo ok group Jewish Britain is named and shamed Jewish News

aims by delivering dependable and balanced

LIFE FULL REPORT

cohesion and common ground across the UK

& EXPERT

ANALYSIS

ON PAGES

Commission chair Stephen authored the Bush Board of Deputies report

6, 7 &September 26 2021 • ISSUE NO.6

Magazine

news reporting and analysis and celebrating the achievements of its vibrant and varied readership. Through the Jacob Foundation, Jewish News acts as a reliable and independent advocate for British Jews and a crucial communication vehicle for other communal charities.

DRESSING

Inside Julia’s

WITH HAART

unorthodox wardrob: e

YIZKOR – Living

with loss

New Beginnings

Pink Rabbit

turns 50

12 November 2026 Jewish News

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Editorial cartoon

HAS KHAN FULFILLED HIS EARLY PROMISES? ‘Of course, if I’d been on the ballot, it would have been a landslide!’

HELPED OVER 6,000 OLIM

INDEPENDENT ALIYAH CONSULTANT

Looking to Live or Invest in Israel? We have you covered!

Ashkelon Bet Shemesh Carmei Gat Herzliya Jerusalem Modiin

Netanya Ra’anana Rehovot Tel Aviv Tel Mond Zichron Yaakov

SCHEDULE YOUR FREE CONSULTATION

18 Jewish News 12 November 2026

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Opinion

A rare victory for Israel in the House of Lords TREVOR ASSERSON

FOUNDER, ASSERSON LAW OFFICES

he US mid-terms appeared to bring such bad news for Israel on 4 November that many will have missed a piece of good news coming from the House of Lords the same day. The UK’s current government is gunning for Israel. Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband announced on 8 September that the UK would be issuing sanctions against Israel. With plenty of sympathy on the backbenches, Labour has clearly decided that this is fertile ground to win back the voters it has lost to the Greens and ‘pro-Gaza’ independents. In appearing to condone settler violence against Palestinians, Netanhayu’s hapless government gave a gift to the Labour Party, justifying its anti-Israel stance. The new sanctions regulations came into force within weeks of his 8 September speech.

These regulations give the UK government extraordinary new powers. This includes a new system of “urgent designations”, which gives it the right to designate people or companies with little to no evidence. This could mean that designating “members of the IDF” could be a sufficient basis for arrest. One is reminded of Alice in Wonderland’s Queen of Hearts, who declared, “No, no! … Sentence first – verdict afterwards.” New offences have been added, including “obstruction of humanitarian assistance” and breaches of “International Humanitarian Law”. While not explicitly naming Israel, given allegations from the UN and various NGOs about its conduct in Gaza, these seem obviously targeted at Israel. Those who refute this need only to look at the parliamentary journey of the new regulations. After being laid before Parliament in mid-October, the Global Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law Sanctions

Regulations 2026 were debated in a legislation committee at the end of October. The Labour-dominated committee approved the new regulations, with most members singling out Israel as a target country and making it clear – had there been any doubt – that this was the principal focus. Given the parliamentary tidal wave of righteous indignation against Israel, it was thus something of a surprise when Lord Leigh – a long-time supporter of Israel – tabled a ‘Regret’ motion in the House of Lords, the upper chamber of Parliament. Even more surprising, the Regret motion was debated on 4 November and passed by 94 votes to 90. So many Lords requested permission to spea; that the time for the debate had to be extended. Almost all of the speeches were opposed to the new regulations. Outstanding speakers included Lord Gold, one of the UK’s leading litigation lawyers, and Lord Pollock, head of Conservative Friends of Israel. Passing a regret motion has no legal effect. Nevertheless, the vast majority

of such motions are either withdrawn or defeated. Very few are actually carried. Passing such a motion creates a moral obligation on the government to deal with the objections raised; it is listed as a political defeat for the government and highlights a range of concerns with the 2026 Sanctions Regulations, as raised throughout the debate. The regulations are already in force and will shortly complete their journey through Parliament. The fact of the successful regret motion, however, places a blemish on the regulations and sounds a note of caution. That should lead to some level of restraint when, in early 2027, the UK will issue rules specifically aimed at Israel. Israel still needs to prepare for a sanctions storm. It will be fierce, and we desperately need an effective government to engage with this danger at the political level. But it is good to know that – by expressing a little regret – such engagement need not be entirely hopeless.

12 November 2026 Jewish News

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Opinion

The election is over. The test of democracy begins AMNON BE’ERISULITZEANU

CO-CEO, THE ABRAHAM INITIATIVES

srael’s election exposed a contradiction that the country’s political establishment has avoided confronting. Arab citizens are expected to participate in elections, respect democratic institutions and accept the decisions of elected governments. Yet when their votes become decisive, their representatives are deemed unacceptable partners in determining who should govern. The extraordinary Arab turnout in last week’s election has made this contradiction impossible to ignore. After years of political disillusionment, Palestinian Arab citizens voted in unprecedented numbers, a dramatic increase from the 52.5 per cent turnout in the previous election. Arab parties are expected to secure 19 seats in the 120-member Knesset. Neither Netanyahu’s bloc nor the Jewish opposition has won a majority.

The Arab vote reflects deep frustration with the government’s treatment of Arab citizens, the devastating levels of organised crime in their communities, persistent discrimination and the deterioration of Jewish-Arab relations. But it also reflects something more encouraging: a renewed belief that political participation can change their circumstances. Arab voters have not simply expressed their opposition to Netanyahu. They have demanded a meaningful role in shaping Israel’s future. The political leadership of the Arab community has also changed its approach. Ra’am, which joined the Bennett-Lapid coalition in 2021, has already demonstrated its willingness to participate in government. More significantly, the Joint List has now expressed its readiness to support the formation of an alternative government from outside the coalition. This opens a realistic parliamentary path: a minority government including Ra’am, with external support from the Joint List. Gadi Eisenkot, Naftali Bennett and Avigdor Lieberman, who asked Israelis to

vote for political change, must now decide whether they are prepared to pursue it. Their continued reluctance to cooperate with Arab parties risks preserving the very political order they promised to replace. No law prevents such cooperation. What stands in the way is a political convention that Jewish party leaders have been unwilling to challenge. There is, moreover, a precedent that should be familiar to anyone who remembers Yitzhak Rabin’s second government. In 1993, after losing its parliamentary majority, Rabin’s government survived with the external support of Arab parties. The arrangement enabled the government to advance its political agenda while giving Arab representatives influence over decisions affecting their communities. Rabin understood that parliamentary cooperation did not require agreement on every national question. Thirty years later, Ra’am’s participation in the Bennett-Lapid coalition went a step further. That government was fragile and ultimately collapsed, but it demonstrated

that Jewish and Arab parties could share responsibility for governing Israel. For British Jews concerned about Israel’s democratic future, the implications extend beyond the immediate question of who becomes prime minister. The struggle over Israel’s democracy has rightly focused on the independence of the judiciary, the rule of law and the erosion of democratic institutions. But there is another question that deserves equal attention: whether Israel’s Palestinian Arab citizens can exercise political influence commensurate with their numbers and their citizenship. The alternative to Jewish-Arab political cooperation is familiar: another government arrangement designed to avoid dependence on Arab votes, or another election, despite the clear preference of so many citizens for political change. Either outcome would carry a cost. Hundreds of thousands of Arab citizens have invested renewed faith in the ballot box. Their participation should produce political influence, not another demonstration of the limits imposed upon it.

HADASSAH UK APPEAL

The Hadassah Cancer Research Institute Transforming the Future of Cancer Care A cancer diagnosis can change everything. At the Hadassah Cancer Research Institute, leading clinicians, scientists and AI experts are turning groundbreaking research into life-saving treatments.

PLEASE DONATE TODAY Give cancer patients the chance for a better future. DONATE ON OUR SECURE WEBSITE OR SCAN THE QR CODE W: www.hadassahuk.org T: 020 8202 2860 E: uk.office@hadassah.org.uk

Scan to Donate

Charity Reg. No. 1040848

Our work in immunotherapy, precision medicine, AI and early cancer detection is helping deliver faster diagnoses, more targeted treatments, and renewed hope for cancer patients in Israel and beyond.

20 Jewish News 12 November 2026

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Opinion

Israel inspires me, but its politics fills me with fear LEE HARPIN

POLITICAL EDITOR, JEWISH NEWS

've just returned from a week-long, mostly working trip to Israel, and as always, I am left with familiar, conflicting emotions. I'm exhilarated by the resilience, drive, and creativity of so many who call this troubled, divided Jewish state. Yet I am equally consumed by concern and anxiety about Israel’s future. Like most British Jews, I wrestle with the responsibility of critiquing Israel and its government. Not living there, I cannot truly grasp what it means to reside in a region where Israel has few friends and many enemies. Moreover, as I am often reminded, Israel’s adversaries seize upon any criticism from within the Jewish world to fuel their own agendas. Yet this most recent visit – my first in over a year – brought into sharp relief just how quickly far-right political thought and

practice have gained ground. I encountered troubling manifestations of this influence, not through orchestrated briefings or official tours, but in everyday conversations with ordinary Israeli citizens. Take, for example, the tour guide who led us through Jerusalem’s Old City – a Sephardi Jew educated at a yeshiva, and deeply knowledgeable about the city’s history. In the Armenian Quarter, we noticed posters signed by prominent rabbis and religious authorities condemning the appalling acts of ultra-Orthodox and nationalist individuals who have spat at Christian clergy, pilgrims, and at church sites. For too long, a subset of ultra-Orthodox yeshiva students and nationalist youth have engaged in targeted harassment – including spitting, verbal abuse, and vandalism – against Christians in the Old City. Many of these antiChristian acts occur along Armenian Patriarchate Street in the Armenian Quarter. Our guide, venting his frustration at these hideous incidents, revealed that he too had been a victim – attacked by a group of ultraOrthodox students.

❝

POSTERS SIGNED BY RABBIS CONDEMN THE ACT OF SPITTING AT CHRISTIAN CLERGY

On his way to synagogue during Rosh Hashanah, he was assaulted by a group of young men who mistook him for an Arab. Distraught, he reported the incident to the police. Thankfully, the extensive network of CCTV cameras in the Old City captured the assault from multiple angles. Now, we wait to see what punishment – if any – will be handed down to the perpetrators. Then there was the story of a group of Christian Arabs who had attended a dinner with Jewish friends just last week. Disturbingly, these loyal citizens of Israel told me they no longer felt comfortable speaking Arabic in public. With far-right

Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir overseeing the Jerusalem police, reports of Arabic speakers being harassed while going about their daily lives are no longer uncommon – they are becoming the norm. As I left Israel on Monday, these incidents were etched in my mind, along with conversations with the taxi drivers who were all too willing to embrace Prime Minister Netanyahu’s increasingly divisive rhetoric about pro-Hamas Arabs inside Israel “stealing the election”. I remain deeply concerned about just how much further Netanyahu may go in seeking to divide and rule Israeli society in the days ahead, as he struggles to retain power. Once again, I found myself leaving a Jewish state that enthralls me with its innovation, resilience, and chutzpah, but also fills me with dread about what the future may hold. I am more convinced than ever that to remain silent now – when I have a platform and a responsibility to use it – would be to acquiesce to political values I cannot accept. Zionism as a political concept is certainly not racist. But some Zionists, sadly, are.

We cannot let fear close the door to partnership JOANNE GREENAWAY FORMER CEO, LONDON SCHOOL OF JEWISH STUDIES

n July, I attended ‘Together We Rebuild’, a Jewish–Muslim summit convened by the Board of Deputies and the UK Muslim Network, bringing together people determined to rebuild relationships across our communities despite the divisions of the past three years. This is one of several such encounters I have been involved in, including regular gatherings of faith leaders through the Board’s ‘Optimistic Alliance’. These conversations are not always comfortable. We disagree, sometimes profoundly. But I invariably come away reminded of something that ought to be obvious: there are Muslims in this country with whom we share concerns about religious extremism, and with whom we have far more in common than we might imagine. I’ve been thinking about these encounters as I watch the political discourse around the Israeli elections and listen to anxious conversations about the future of British Jewish life. The trauma of 7 October, after decades of

terrorism and conflict, has left Israelis fearful and distrustful. Here in Britain, rising antisemitism and the threat of Islamist extremism have shaken our sense of security. But fear, however justified, can also be dangerous. We risk seeing entire communities through their most extreme members, and treating the very idea of partnership as naïve, even threatening. In Israel, record Arab voter participation ought to be welcomed as a sign of democratic engagement. Instead, their votes are being portrayed as a threat. There are real political differences between the Arab parties, but Ra’am has participated in a governing coalition before and has indicated its willingness to do so again. If we want more Arab citizens to choose political engagement over alienation, we need to show the former can lead somewhere.

❝

THE TORAH DOES NOT SAY THE BROTHERS RESOLVED THEIR DIFFERENCES, BUT THEY STOOD TOGETHER

We should also remember the Arab citizens, including Bedouin Israelis, who risked and lost their lives saving Jews on 7 October. Here in Britain, we must be clear-eyed about Islamist extremism and uncompromising in confronting it. But we must not allow this to transform into suspicion of Muslims in general. British Jews and Muslims have different histories, beliefs and experiences, but we share a stake in this country’s future. If our two faith communities retreat from one another, neither will flourish. Last Shabbat marked the sixth yahrzeit of Rabbi Lord Sacks, who understood the importance of refusing to let fear define our relationships with others. He wrote in Future Tense: “The Jewish task remains to be the voice of hope in an age of fear, the counter-voice in the conversation of humankind.” This Shabbat, in Parashat Chayei Sarah, we read that Abraham’s two sons, Isaac and Ishmael, come together to bury their father (Genesis 25:9). It is a remarkable moment given their painful family history and the expulsion of Hagar and Ishmael years earlier. An earlier Midrash offers an insight into this. When the Torah says Isaac returned from Be’er Lahai Roi, a place associated with Hagar, Bereishit Rabbah suggests he had gone to bring her back to Abraham. Rabbi Sacks sees

in this the possibility that Isaac took the initiative to reunite the family. The relationship appears to have endured. Another Midrash, commenting on Isaac’s settlement at Be’er Lahai Roi after Abraham’s death, suggests he lived there alongside Hagar. What strikes me is Isaac did not wait for the estranged members of his family to come to him. He reached out, despite all that had happened. Rabbi Sacks saw in this a message of hope for Jewish-Muslim relations. The Torah does not say the brothers resolved their differences, but it does say they stood together. There is a lesson here for both Israel and Britain. We share our societies with people whose histories, beliefs and aspirations may be very different from our own. We cannot wish one another away, nor should we want to. I am heartened by the work of organisations such as Nisa-Nashim and the Board of Deputies in sustaining Jewish-Muslim relationships here. It is slow, sometimes frustrating work, easily undermined by events beyond our control. But it matters enormously. We should be under no illusion about the divisions between us, or the very real threats we face. But neither should we accept that they make partnership impossible. Surely, we have a responsibility to try to live up to that legacy.

www.jewishnews.co.uk

12 November 2026 Jewish News

22 Jewish News 12 November 2026

www.jewishnews.co.uk

£32.24 £50.30 £64.49 £75.23 £78.76 £85.97 £315.04 £630.07 £2674.05 £25.95 £0.75 £0.81

12 November 2026 Jewish News

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Community / Scene & Be Seen

1BARNET BOLLYWOOD

The saris and jewels came out for a Bollywood extravaganza last week at Barnet shul. Award-winning choreographer and entertainer Jay Kumar led 70 members of the community in dance, followed by an Indian-style vegetarian buffet. Organising team member Adrienne Silverman described it as a “stunning evening”, adding: “The decorations, the costumes and the Indian-themed food all helped to set the scene. We felt like a slice of Bollywood had come to Barnet.”

LONDON 2NORTH FRIENDS OF ISRAEL

And be seen!

More than 100 people poured into a North London Friends of Israel event at Sha’arei Tzedek shul in Barnet, to hear GB News presenter Josh Howie describe his journey from being thrown out of yeshiva, to stand-up comedy, to standing up for Israel on the street. Outgoing NLFI chair Harry Goldstein said: “This is our largest public meeting so far”, while incoming chair Leon Pein welcomed Mark Birbeck, nonJewish founder of Our Fight, established in the immediate aftermath of 7 October 2023 to support the community.

The latest news, pictures and social events from across the community Email us at community@jewishnews.co.uk

MACMILLAN 3PINNER’S COFFEE MORNING

Raising £500, members of Pinner Synagogue enjoyed brunch, coffee and cake at the shul’s Macmillan Cancer Coffee morning, held as part of the ‘Chat and Share’ initiative organised by Hilary West and Pinner welfare co-ordinator Karen Kinsley. One attendee said: “I absolutely had to come today – what Macmillan do is so important,”, with West adding: “I was delighted with the turnout this morning, and the fact that we raised the amount that we did. Pinner Synagogue is privileged to be able to support the wonderful work of Macmillan in this enjoyable way.”

OFF TO 4HATS WONDERLAND!

Emily Ben-Ze’ev from Emily’s Adventures in Wonderland spent a few days at Keser School in Gateshead running 18 workshops for more than 350 children. Pupils enjoyed fabulously creative workshops on hats and artefacts from around the world and told Ze’ev that they loved the collection of matryoshka dolls, Chinese chops, collection of masks from around the world and helmets from World War II.

5REMEMBRANCE IN CYPRUS

Padre Rabbi Ariel Abel led the Remembrance Day service at Wayne’s Keep, Nicosia, Cyprus this year. Abel, who joined the Army Reserve in 2022, following on from his Army Cadet Commission in 2017, is currently deployed on Op Tosca, the first rabbi deployed on operations since WWII. ‘Padre’ is the term for a military chaplain who provides spiritual, pastoral, and moral support to all service members and their families, regardless of their faith.

6 LAW AND COMMUNITY

Nearly 100 guests from The British Indian Jewish Association were recently hosted by the city law firm Winston Taylor. Lord Pannick KC (Blackstone Chambers) and HHJ Anuja Dhir KC (Old Bailey Judge) were in conversation with Michelle Menashy KC (One Essex Court). They spoke about what drew them to the law, some of their most memorable cases, and their thoughts on community relations. Zaki Cooper, co-chair of BIJA, said: “It was wonderful to hear from two brilliant lawyers, one from the Jewish community and one from the Indian community: David Pannick and Anuja Dhir. Both have reached the top of their profession, and both are important role models who understand the value of community.”

24 Jewish News 12 November 2026

www.jewishnews.co.uk

The gift of care FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS

A warm Jewish home, providing outstanding residential, nursing, dementia, respite, rehabilitation and palliative care A gift in your will can help families in the years to come. To find out how to amend your will or to learn how your legacy can make a huge difference, please contact our fundraising team. fundraising@nightingalehammerson.org

NIGHTINGALE HOUSE, CLAPHAM

020 8673 3495

Registered Charity No. 207316

HAMMERSON HOUSE, HAMPSTEAD

020 3838 8090

12 November 2026 Jewish News 25

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Inside A look

My dad – wartime hero; Redefined

Faith, flavour & two million fans

Everything in Sivan’s Kitchen is pristine – even Sivan herself

With millions of followers hooked on her beautiful food videos, Sivan Kobi is bringing her recipes, family traditions and a little kitchen glamour to London, writes Louisa Walters

t’s 10 years since Israeli-born LA-based food creator Sivan Kobi last set foot in London but next week she is coming over to launch Yonah Inspired Living, a new UK Jewish charity led by Rebbetzen Joanne Dove. Yonah’s grassroots programmes feature Jewish learning, relationship guidance and community initiatives, alongside support through divorce, illness and mental health challenges. Sivan’s platform, @sivanskitchen, which has more than 2.3 million followers on Instagram, celebrates Jewish cooking, family recipes and traditions. Faith & Flavour will bring her together with Joanne for a live cooking demonstration and conversation about the food, family and connections at the heart of Jewish life. Sivan and her family moved from Israel to LA when she was four. Her mum and her grandma showed her the ropes of Middle Eastern cooking but she really got to grips with it when she married her husband Avi, whose family are also from Israel.

If you follow Sivan you’ll know her as a spice queen: turmeric, black pepper, curry and paprika with oil are her flavours of choice. When she’s not massaging all those lovely spices into chicken or meat for her own dishes, Sivan enjoys eating out – especially sushi, as it’s not something she often makes – or Italian. “But I like Middle Eastern food,” she says, “and if there’s a list of food, I will always navigate towards that. Maybe it’s what my palate is used to.” Her husband cooks too, especially if she’s had a busy day preparing things that aren’t food to eat for dinner, like desserts. “He’ll quickly whip up something. He’s very good at that, and he’s got a great hand in the kitchen.” When it was Sivan’s fourth child’s first birthday, in honour of their cake-maker father who had died the year before, she and her sister made a beautiful cake with fondant icing. Word got around and people started ordering from them. This spearheaded a cake business that Sivan ran for nine years,

Sivan will be cooking some of her dishes in London next week

making showstopping tiered cakes for weddings, bar mitzvahs and birthdays. When Covid hit and the orders stopped coming she started making dishes at home and posting them on Instagram. The default now is savoury dishes “as I feel like that’s what my audience likes more” but every now and then she adds in a cake and there are some beautiful sufganiyot recipes coming up for Chanukah. “It’s my pride and joy to share my father’s recipe.” For me it’s the aesthetic that makes Sivan stand out from other food creators. Everything in her videos – including her – is just so pristine and beautiful. I want to know if every room in Sivan’s home is as tidy as her kitchen. “Yes, maybe even tidier! We like things very clean and very organised in our home. Although when the grandkids come it looks like a tornado hit. My home was never meant to be a museum and I want people to be inspired by what they see rather than intimidated.” Her use of gold cookware is certainly inspiring and when she

started implementing it in her videos, she noticed that it was drawing a lot of attention. A few days ago she used a new stainless steel lemon squeezer and got bombarded with messages saying “you need to get a gold one”. Messages are a key part of her success. “My audience and my community are more important to me than anything because if not for them, I’m not here. We message back and forth, like long scripted things, or I’m helping someone make a menu for Shabbat. I think the reason I grew is because I gave my all to my community. In the beginning, when I had just 1,000 followers, I responded to every single comment and message.” Those messages do not only come from the Jewish community – Catholics, Christians, Hindus and Muslims all reach out to Sivan. “They often tell me that they love that I share my religion – ‘I’m not you, but I still love you’. Of course I’ve had hate, just like all other Jewish influencers, especially since October 7, but for the most part, I get very good feedback and love.” Sivan, who says she is “observant but not Orthodox”, tells me that after October 7 she felt that people were thirsting for connec-

tion. “Whether it was suddenly making Shabbat for their children because they never celebrated it before, or lighting the candles with their daughter for the first time, my followers were reaching out and my platform was a place for me to push it all as much as I can.” Sivan is really happy to be coming to the UK. “I finally get to meet my community there and give them a piece of Sivan’s kitchen and I’m so happy to be working with Yonah. “From challah bakes to Jewish learning and family programmes, Yonah is helping people find meaningful ways to connect with Jewish life. It will be an honour to be part of the evening.” I wonder what she will be making for us. “I love the crispy rice sheet pan with the salmon on top. I love the crispy rice salad. “I love a lot of baked dishes. I love my meat roasts on Fridays. I have so many favourites it’s hard to pick and choose.” That’s exactly how I feel about Sivan’s dishes too. • Faith and Flavour will take place in central London on 17 November at 7.30pm. Book tickets at charityextra.com/ faithandflavour

26 Jewish News 12 November 2026

www.jewishnews.co.uk

JN LIFE

As former Jewish servicemen prepare to march in the Ajex Parade this Sunday, Jenni Frazer discovers that her father provided an essential service to the combat troops during WW2

t Rosh Hashanah last year, my family were discussing the Second World War, and what my father might have done during his military service. We realised that none of us knew anything verifiable – all we had was a group of unprovable family stories, not helped by the fact that Mum, in full Yiddishe Momma style, shut down any conversations about the war quite firmly. “Wait a minute,” said my nephew, disappearing upstairs and returning with a small, battered cardboard box. I hadn’t seen it for years. It contained Dad’s wartime medals and a bruised leather identity tag, about the size and colour of an old pre-decimal penny. On the back of the box it says: “If undelivered return to Air Ministry.” We rooted through the box’s contents. There were brightly coloured ribbons, each probably as smart as when first received in 1945. There were medals – but one seemed to be missing. We didn’t know what went with what, or what they had been awarded for. My brother and I looked at each other. Dad had never, as far as we remembered, walked in the Ajex parades in Glasgow or Manchester, which probably accounts for the pristine condition of the ribbons. The dog-tag offered another mystery. There was a smudged identity number stamped into the leather, making the last figure difficult to read. And above the letters RAF – for Royal Air Force – can be seen CofE – indicating Church of England. This, we absolutely knew, was wrong, given our father was emphatically and proudly Jewish. Here’s what we (more or less) knew. Dad had joined up at the beginning of the war and had given up working with his father in a tailoring business in Glasgow to become a member of a specialised radar unit, serving the army, navy and air force. We knew that he had travelled into Europe on D-Day, 6 June 1944 – a date always remembered in our house because it was his birthday. He had left school with excellent shorthand and typing skills, which was perhaps why he ended up in communications during his wartime service. In fact, before bowing to the inevitable and joining his father in tailoring, Dad had worked as a court reporter in the Glasgow district of Govan.

It was frustratingly difficult to get any information from him as to what he actually did during the war, though he did entertain us when we were small by trying to teach us Morse Code. We didn’t even know he was actually nominally in the RAF, though we did know he didn’t take part in active combat. Once, though, when he took me swimming, I saw a huge scar on his leg, and he said he had been forced to crawl under barbed wire and had caught his leg as he did so. What else? He told me that he had been asked to write an account for an RAF magazine of his unit’s travels through Belgium and Holland. The article was called ‘Journey to Nijmegen’ and spoke of the men rushing to hide underneath the lorries carrying their radar equipment as they were being strafed by low-flying Luftwaffe. Nijmegen is in Holland and, as I later learned, was the focus of an important September 1944 battle, Operation Market Garden, in which British and American forces, both airborne and armoured troops, attacked the Nazis. It was a massive offensive, and crucial in beginning the major pushback against the Germans. And it seems that Dad was there, providing vital radar support for the Allied forces. I decided to begin some detective work. Armed with a photograph of Dad in what I later learned

Dad’s medal with a fresh ribbon

was an RAF uniform – though sadly without a cap and any identifying badges – I went to the London Coins and Medals shop, just around the corner from Leicester Square tube. It proved to be an absolute rabbit warren of Second World War paraphernalia, from books and photographs to – crucially, medals. The men in the shop give off an air of having seen it all before, which they almost certainly have. I produced the battered cardboard box and the ribbon with the missing

Jenni aged three with her parents

Dad in his incomplete RAF uniform – AI helped identify his unit

medal. Oh yes, said the man serving me. That’s easily replaced. You want one of these, he said, rummaging in an appropriate drawer. Now the medal set was complete, I asked him if he’d ever heard of what I thought was the name of my father’s unit, the Combined Services Unit. No, he said, but advised me to apply to the government records – which are free, but can take up to a year for a reply. Then he took a look at Dad’s photograph and asked me, very seriously, if he had spoken various languages and if he might have been in an intelligence unit. I am afraid I laughed. My father did speak good French and a fair amount of Yiddish, but that was the extent of his linguistic ability. I believe that Dad had been present at the liberation of Belsen, which had a terrible effect on him – though I am unsure if he ever went into the camp. But we do know that the RAF were there when Belsen was freed in April 1945, so that checked out Dad’s account. He once told me of a surrealsounding seder – Pesach began in 1945 on 28 March – in which Jews from a Belgian village had emerged from hiding, their faces yellow from having spent years literally under-

ground and deprived of sunlight. I also learned, via Ajex, that many Jewish servicemen had “C of E” on their identity tags as protection in case they were ever captured by the Germans. I put in my application to the government records, though I have still not had a reply. I also contacted the RAF Museum’s library to see if they might identify the magazine for which Dad wrote his article. So far, no response. It was time for – if you’ll excuse the expression – the big guns. Artificial Intelligence, to be precise, in the form of ChatGPT, which I had never used before, but thought I might as well try. This was a revelation. After a couple of false starts – when it thought my father had served in the First World War in Canada – ChatGPT got with the programme. It established as follows: “The strongest lead I’ve found so far is No 15054 Fighter Director Post. “The RAF’s own historical account says this was a mobile radar unit that operated in Belgium and the Netherlands and, crucially, it was sent to Grave, just south of Nijmegen, during Operation Market Garden to provide radar coverage and fighter control for the bridges.

It subsequently followed the British advance into Germany. Even more strikingly, the RAF account says that in April 1945 the unit was operating near the recently liberated BergenBelsen camp. Personnel loaded a three-ton lorry with clothing, blankets and food and arranged for these supplies to be distributed at the camp.” ChatGPT mentioned books by John Kemp, commander of the 15054 unit, a couple of times. In one of them, there is a blurry picture of men from the radar unit working in a small hut. Right at the back there is a man with a moustache – the only moustached one in the hut – who is a dead ringer for my dad. And my new best friend ChatGPT also managed the hitherto impossible by expanding the picture I had of Dad so that for the first time we could see the insignia on his sleeves, showing his rank and unit. I sent off for one of Kemp’s books, Off to War with 054. In one of the appendices, there is a list of the unit personnel, and there is my father’s name. I could scarcely believe my eyes. Chat PT kindly signed off one of our latest conversations by saying that if I ever did get my hands on the ‘Journey to Nijmegen’ article, “I suspect it will be very special for you to read after all these years.” It was like talking to a person. I never discovered that my Dad was a wartime superhero or a secret general. But I did find out that he was an accidental hero who had a hard war and helped so many as one of the thousands of Jewish community members who signed up to serve his country. Behind every single family member marching in this year’s Ajex parade, there will be a similar story. We are so proud of them.

www.jewishnews.co.uk

12 November 2026 Jewish News

28 Jewish News 12 November 2026

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Business / Redefine Meat

candicekrieger@googlemail.com

With Candice Krieger

ISRAELI MEAT-FREE PIONEER LANDS ON TESCO SHELVES

Redefine Meat’s burgers and lamb-style koftas arrive in near 400 stores as the company builds on its UK presence at Asda and Ocado

sraeli food-tech company Redefine Meat is expanding its presence in Britain’s supermarket freezers, adding Tesco to a retail line-up that already includes Asda and Ocado. The company’s plant-based premium burgers and lamb kofta mix launched in 391 Tesco stores and online in September. Founded in Israel in 2018 by Eshchar Ben-Shitrit and Adam Lahav, Redefine Meat combines food science, manufacturing technology and culinary expertise to develop plant-based alternatives aimed at meateaters as well as vegetarians and vegans. Its Tesco listing follows a successful UK retail debut with Ocado in late 2023 and expansion into Asda in October 2025. The company initially established its products through restaurants and professional chefs before widening access

through supermarkets. For co-founder and chief executive BenShitrit, winning over shoppers starts with the food itself. “I think the biggest lesson is that food has to come first. People choose

food because they want to Redefine Lamb Kofta eat it, not because they’re Mix Skewers (top left); looking for a particular catRedefine Premium Burgegory,” he says. “If we want ers Ultimate Plant-based more people to eat less Cheeseburger (above) meat, we need to make that choice easy and enjoyable. Redefine Meat’s wider range includes mince, That means creating food that pulled meats and whole cuts. delivers on the things people But while technology already care about when they underpins its developsit down to eat: great flavour, ment, Ben-Shitrit says satisfying texture, convenishoppers ultimately judge ence and good nutrition.” the meal. “The technology The two Tesco products, is incredibly important sold frozen at a launch price because it gives us the tools of £4 each, are designed for to solve problems that confamiliar meals. ventional food manufac“The premium burgers turing can’t easily solve. offer an option for burger “But technology is a nights, while the lamb kofta Redefine Premium Burgers mix can be shaped into koftas, (top); Redefine Lamb Kofta Mix means to an end. Nobody sits down to dinner kebabs and patties, or used in because they want to eat something made shepherd’s pie, meatballs and pasta dishes. with clever technology. They want a great According to the company, both are high burger, a great kebab or a great meal.” in protein, a source of fibre, preservative-free Price remains another consideration, parand contain no animal-derived ingredients. ticularly for families. Ben-Shitrit argues that Simon Owen, Redefine Meat’s vicethe industry’s long-term opportunity rests president for EMEA, says: “We’re not asking on demonstrating value rather than simply people to change the way they eat. producing the cheapest alternative. “We’re making it easier to make the “For us, that means creating products food they already love with plantwhere the eating experience justifies based meat.” the price. If someone buys a Redefine Getting products into shopBurger and thinks ‘that was worth pers’ baskets is only part of the it, I’ll buy it again’, that’s the kind of commercial challenge. Securing value that builds a lasting category.” repeat purchases depends on Ben-Shitrit’s ambition is for plantunderstanding what consumers based alternatives to become a familiar want – something Ben-Shitrit says choice rather than a separate shopis central to product development. ping category. “As a founder, you can have “Ultimately, I’d love very strong opinions about to see a world where a product, but ultimately people don’t think of the consumer gets plant-based food as the final vote. What a separate category matters is whether at all. They just people choose the think ‘that looks product, enjoy eating Eshchar delicious – I’ll it and come back Ben-Shitrit have that’.” for more.”

12 November 2026 Jewish News

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Orthodox Judaism

MAKING SENSE OF THE SEDRA In our thought-provoking series, rabbis, rebbetzins and educators relate the week’s parsha to the way we live today BY RABBI ARIEL ABEL

SOLICITOR AND BRITISH ARMY CHAPLAIN The earlier blessing had placed Jacob above from her womb. Later rabbinic tradition What does the identified Esau with Rome and, in time, his brother. At their reunion, it is Jacob’s camp with Christian Europe, while Jacob became who bow before Esau. Torah say about In word and in gesture, Jacob yields to his Israel. Yet before they represented peoples brother, averts conflict and achieves the most and civilisations, they were brothers. unity governments? Esau became a hunter, while Jacob dwelt he can towards reconciliation. The brothers Israel’s election on 27 October left neither Benjamin Netanyahu or Gadi Eisenkot with a clear path to power. President Isaac Herzog has turned to Eisenkot to try to form a government, and a broad coalition remains part of the public debate. Behind the politics and parliamentary arithmetic lies a question for the student of Torah. From a Torah perspective, what deserves greater weight: seeking reconciliation across divides or consolidating the power of one’s own camp? This week’s reading, Toldot, begins with Yitzhak and Rivka praying for children. Rivka conceives twins, who struggle within her. She is told that two nations will emerge

in tents. When Esau came home famished, Jacob offered him stew in exchange for his birthright. More than 10 years ago, I asked a predominantly Christian group of academics what troubled them most about the Hebrew Bible. Their answer came almost in unison: Jacob’s treatment of Esau over the birthright. They remembered the wrong they saw in the story. I wondered how many also factored in the reunion between the brothers, about which we read this week. When the brothers meet again, as told of in Genesis 33, Jacob’s family shows respect and deference to Esau. I read the gift Jacob offered to Esau as an apology for, or even return to, his brother of the birthright he had taken from him.

don’t forget me And don’t forget to leave a gift to World Jewish Relief in your Will you can help end jewish poverty For more information about leaving a gift in your Will, or about our Free Will service, please contact Richard Budden richardb@worldjewishrelief.org 020 8736 1250

www.worldjewishrelief.org/will

reg. charity 290767

then go their separate ways. That detail matters. Their reconciliation leaves room for different lives and loyalties. Esau’s embrace and Jacob’s willingness to bow achieve something neither could secure by insisting, each one, on his claim. They can now part in peace, and the Torah later records them coming together to bury their father. Pirkei Avot distinguishes between a dispute for the sake of Heaven and one pursued for lesser moral ends. A democracy can serve the public honourably by offering stability through good governance. Unity in governance can serve once rivals agree on what they can do together and remain answerable for their decisions.

Herzog has looked to Eisenkot to lead

The spiritual question is what each side seeks through its use of power. One could call that transitioning from a Jacob-Esau rift to a United House of Isaac. For leaders, the challenge is to seek enough common ground to work with and explain to their own supporters what that cooperation both costs and gains. The Torah gives reconciliation a higher place than the pursuit of power for its own sake. Whatever can be achieved through unity is the highest calling a leader has. Jacob and Esau still had separate roads to travel. The achievement was that, when they took those roads, neither needed the other to remain an enemy.

30 Jewish News 12 November 2026

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Progressive Judaism

LEAP OF FAITH

A stimulating series where our progressive rabbis consider Judaism in the face of 21stcentury issues

CO-LEAD, THE MOVEMENT FOR PROGRESSIVE JUDAISM

Jewish identity is woven with our British identity At last year’s AJEX Remembrance Parade, I had the privilege of laying the wreath at the Cenotaph in memory of Jewish chaplains who have served in the British Armed Forces. I did so wearing the rabbinic gown that belonged to my grandfather, Reverend Dr Isaac Levy, who volunteered as an army chaplain in 1939 and went on to serve as Senior Jewish Chaplain. This year, inspired by the AJEX Family Medals Campaign, I will also (on my righthand side) wear his medals. I will not be alone. Many of us have something in our family that tells part of the story of the war: medals, a photograph of someone in uniform, a letter kept long after

anyone can remember the person who wrote it. I keep as a cherished possession a copy of the small prayerbook for Jewish sailors and soldiers that my grandfather had used during the war. Last year, in Belsen with AJEX for the 80th anniversary of the liberation, I read a prayer from this book. The same words would have been familiar to Jewish men and women in uniform, most of whose names I will never know. At the Cenotaph on Sunday, some of us will be thinking of someone we knew. Others will pay tribute to a distant relative whose name they first heard Rabbi Josh Levy at last year’s AJEX Parade from a parent or grandparent and there will be people there with no family connection rules that the Eternal your God has given to to the Armed Forces. The parade belongs to all you?” We answer, “avadim hayinu” – we were slaves. Jewish memory includes us all. In of us, an expression of our shared memory. In the Book of Deuteronomy, we find a every generation, we place ourselves in direct powerful articulation of Jewish collective relation to events through which we did not memory, familiar to us from Seder night. In live and we do so as a collective. Public remembrance gives individual time to come, we are told, your children will ask you “what mean the laws, decrees and stories a meaning for us all. Together we

affirm that our Jewish identity is woven with our British identity – part of our shared story. This Sunday, for the first time, members of the Movement for Progressive Judaism will march together under our movement’s banner. Some of our synagogues have been taking part for years and will also march under their own. As a movement, we build on what those communities have done. We can bring more people to the parade and give veterans and their families more opportunities to tell their stories in our synagogues. I am proud that we will march in the company of Jews from across the community. We come from different congregations and traditions, and each of us has a part in preserving this history. I have the extraordinary privilege of honouring my grandfather’s service. At the AJEX parade, for an afternoon in Whitehall, we remember one another’s families as well as our own. Photo by Grainge Photography

RABBI JOSH LEVY

Living Well with Diabetes A Series of Free Expert-Led Talks Whether you have Type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, or simply want to learn more, join Jewish Blind & Disabled for a series of informative talks. All sessions will be held from 7pm - 8:30pm in Mill Hill East, NW7. Book now To book your place for any of the events, visit jbd.org/diabetes-education or scan the QR code. For further information please contact communityservices@jbd.org or call 0204 548 8690.

Kimberley Graham Diabetes Specialist Nurse and Independent Prescriber

Thurs 19 Nov 2026

Fran Gertler Podiatrist

Wed 27 Jan 2027

Ruth Kander Dietician

Wed 31 Mar 2027

Jack Hikmet Pharmacist and owner of Gateway Chemist

Thurs 17 June 2027

12 November 2026 Jewish News

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Business Services Directory WANTED

ANTIQUES

HOUSE CLEARANCE

ARTICLES WANTED

Top prices paid

Furs, Jewellery, Old Costume Jewellery, Watches, Silver, Designer Bags, anything vintage.

Antique – Reproduction – Retro Furniture (any condition)

Epstein, Archie Shine, Hille, G Plan, etc. Dining Suites, Lounges Suites, Bookcases, Desks, Cabinets, Mirrors, Lights, etc.

Dave & Eve House Clearance Friendly Family Company established for 30 years

01277 352560

House clearances

STONEMASON

Single items to complete homes MARYLEBONE ANTIQUES - 8 CHURCH STREET NW8 8ED

07866 614 744 (ANYTIME) 0207 723 7415 (SHOP) closed Sunday & Monday

The specialist masons in creating bespoke Granite and Marble Memorials for all Cemeteries.

STUART SHUSTER - e-mail - info@maryleboneantiques.co.uk

Clayhall Showroom 14 Claybury Broadway Ilford. IG5 0LQ T: 0208 551 6866

MAKE SURE YOU CONTACT US BEFORE SELLING

Edgware Showroom 41 Manor Park Crescent Edgware. HA8 7LY T: 0208 381 1525

Email : info@garygreenmemorials.co.uk

www.garygreenmemorials.co.uk

CHARITY & WELFARE

LEGACY Gary Green ad 84 x 40mm JM Group v2.indd 1

18/03/2019 12:50:51

ARE YOU BEREAVED? Confidential Bereavement Counselling for adults and children individually. Support Groups available. We offer in person, online and telephone counselling. Contact Jewish Bereavement Counselling Service in confidence. 0208 951 3881 enquiries@jbcs.org.uk | www.jbcs.org.uk

Leaving Your Legacy At Beit Halochem UK we help to rebuild the lives of the 67,400 brave IDF veterans and victims of terror daily www.bhuk.org | info@bhuk.org | 020 8458 2455 | Charity Number 1146950

We clear houses, ﬂats, sheds, garages etc. No job too big or too small! Rubbish cleared as part of a full clearance. We have a waste licence. We buy items including furniture bric a brac. For a free quote please phone Dave on 07913405315 any time.

ADVERTISE IN THE UK’S BIGGEST JEWISH NEWSPAPER FOR LESS THAN £24 A WEEK Email Sales today at sales@jewishnews.co.uk or call 020 8142 8611

10 Golders Green Road London NW11 8LL Opposite Cafe Nero

Suits from £79.50 CLOSING DOWN SALE EVERYTHING MUST GO Overcoats from £79.50

SUITS NOW FROM £69 Trouser Bargains £25 WARM PADDED CASUAL JACKETS £39.50 TROUSERS £20from EACH, 2 PAIR FOR £30, 28-48 INCH WAIST Raincoats £49.50 ALL SPORTS JACKETS AND BLAZERS £79 CASUAL JACKETS FROM £29.50

Large Sizes a SHIRTS £15 ANY 2 FOR £30 speciality

WARM WINTER JUMPERS £20 EACH OR 2 FOR £30 SHOES FROM £15 Open everyday & Sundays til 5:00pm

We accept

23 e z si to k p u c rts in sto i h S

32 Jewish News 12 November 2026

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Brit is

ud. ro

i w s h e . J P . h

THIS SUNDAY

AJEX Remembrance Parade & Ceremony

Sunday 15th November 2026 | The Cenotaph, Whitehall, 2pm Honouring generations of Jewish men and women who served and fought for our freedom. Marking 90 years since the Battle of Cable Street and standing proud against antisemitism. HONOURING OUR PAST. STRENGTHENING OUR FUTURE.

COME AND SUPPORT THE MARCHERS THIS SUNDAY! To support the Parade as a spectator from the East Whitehall Pavement no booking required. Please allow enough time to arrive at the event as there will be a high level of security provided by CST and the Met Police. No large bags are permitted. PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY

FOLLOW US: AJEX_JMA JEWISHVETERANSAJEX 020 8202 2323 AJEXREMEMBERS@AJEX.ORG.UK WWW.AJEX.ORG.UK AJEX - THE JEWISH MILITARY ASSOCIATION. REGISTERED CHARITY NO 1129591.

8023 AJEX Parade 2026 (Advert) JN FP v2.indd 1

09/11/2026 15:55