The UK Foreign Secretary’s statement concerning Britain’s diplomatic presence in Jerusalem was issued on 8 October.  Just hours before this, Israel and Jewish communities worldwide commemorated the third anniversary of the atrocities of 7 October 2023.  We were reminded of harrowing accounts – stories of horrific tragedy and remarkable heroism. The timing of the Foreign Secretary’s statement showed a very regrettable lack of sensitivity.  We do not presume to know the Government’s motives, but its policy should be guided by principle and Britain’s national interest, rather than political expediency.

Israel has long been an important ally of Britain. Intelligence and security cooperation have helped protect British lives, alongside valuable collaboration in technology, trade and scientific research. These vital interests should not be overlooked amid political disagreements.

Mr Miliband’s reference to Britain’s nearly 200-year consular presence in Jerusalem fails to acknowledge the Jewish people’s historic and enduring connection to Jerusalem and the land of Israel, including Judea and Samaria, extending back thousands of years.

The cumulative effect of the Labour Government’s policies and statements has placed UK–Israel relations at a near historic low.  We urge the Government to reconsider its approach and recognise the importance of maintaining a constructive relationship with a longstanding and important ally.

IBCA very much values its friendships with British and other Commonwealth Ambassadors and diplomatic representatives. We remain convinced that the majority of British people do not support the Government’s stated intention to “reset” its relationship with us in Israel. They value the longstanding friendship between Britain and Israel. A relationship built over generations, founded on shared values and serving the interests of both nations should not be undermined by short-term political considerations. We call on the Government to reconsider its approach and reaffirm Britain's commitment to this vital and historic alliance.

IBCA

The Starting Grant is designed to support promising early-career researchers as they establish their independence, develop ambitious research programmes and build their own teams. Each grant provides up to €1.5 million for a maximum of five years, with additional funding potentially available for certain major research costs.

The eleven Israeli projects span an impressive range of fields. They include research into how chemical tags regulate gene activity, mapping proteins in human tissue using imaging and AI, and developing a human heart-on-a-chip to investigate biological rhythms and heart disease. Other projects cover areas including quantum materials, brain science, cancer biology and advanced engineering.

With just 8.8% of applications funded in this year's competition, the achievement is a significant recognition of the quality and potential of Israel's next generation of researchers.

Hershko was defeated by South Korea’s Lee Hyeonji in the semi-final, sending her into the bronze-medal contest against Croatia’s Helena Vuković. The deciding contest went to Golden Score after four minutes without a winner. Hershko then produced an ippon with a seoi-otoshi to secure the bronze — her second World Championship medal.

The result adds another major achievement to an already impressive international career. Hershko won Olympic silver at the Paris 2024 Games, and the IJF records multiple World Championship, Masters, Grand Slam and European Championship medals among her career results.

For Israeli sport, Hershko’s performance in Baku is another reminder of the country's strength in judo — and of the determination required to compete at the very highest level of international sport.

Both mathematicians were born in Moscow — Kazhdan in 1946 and Bernstein in 1945 — and both went on to build distinguished international careers before making Israel their academic home. Kazhdan is a professor at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Bernstein is Professor Emeritus at Tel Aviv University. Bernstein also spent ten years as a professor of mathematics at Harvard University.

Their work deals with some of the most abstract areas of modern mathematics, but its importance lies in the connections it has created between different branches of the subject. The Wolf Foundation describes their ideas as having created new bridges between algebra, geometry and analysis, helping to establish geometric representation theory as a major field of modern mathematics.

There is also a particularly Israeli dimension to both stories. Bernstein moved to Israel in 1993 and joined Tel Aviv University, where he remained a faculty member until becoming Professor Emeritus in 2014. Kazhdan moved to Israel in 2002 and joined the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Both are members of the Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities.

This year's Wolf Prize is therefore a fitting recognition not only of two extraordinary mathematical careers, but of two scientists whose work has helped shape an important area of mathematics — and who have made Israel an important part of that story.

The first speaker was Gali Baram, a former Consul General in Toronto and now Director of the MFA’s activity across the world.  She explained the difference between classic, public, and economic & humanitarian diplomacy and the role of the 108 Diplomatic Missions around the world.

Akiva Tor, another former Ambassador and now Director of Academic Coordination, gave us an insight into his research on the current antisemitic situation on university campuses, particularly in English speaking countries.  He has compiled a comprehensive list of recommendations on how to tackle this dangerous issue.

Akiva was followed by Tamar Schwarzbard, the Head of Digital Operations who, along with her team of 10, have posted 40,000 pieces of content on social media in Hebrew, English, Arabic, Spanish, French, Russian and Persian since October 7, 2023 with 8 billion views!

Then it was the turn of Ruth Cohen-Dar, a former Deputy Ambassador and now Director of the Combating Antisemitism and Holocaust Remembrance Department.  It was sobering to hear that recent research by the ADL (Anti-Defamation League) estimates that 46% of the world population holds antisemitic sentiments.

After a short lunch break, Dan Oryan, another former Ambassador and now Director of the Civic Diplomacy Department moderated a panel which included Mark Regev who was, of course, Ambassador to the UK and spokesman for the PM; Fleur Hassan-Nahoum, former Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem and a familiar face on English news channels; Arsen Ostrovsky, a Human Rights Lawyer and CEO of The International Legal Forum; Ofir Dayan, Researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies.  They talked about their experiences after October 7, 2023 and their views regarding the prickly subject of Israeli Public Relations!

Although running over, we were still invited to a short tour of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before departing with a much better understanding of what the 1200 staff at the MFA have to deal with in their day-to-day work load and how we can all do our bit to help as mini ambassadors.

Judi Herman

23/01/2025www.OxfordIL.co.uk

I won't spoil the museum further by letting you know about the last gallery - I didn't need another reason to feel immense pride for my country but that is how felt on leaving. Uplifted and proud. I didn't bring enough tissues with me. I personally, have already arranged to go back with my family, this is history that needs to be remembered.

After a break for lunch, we travelled to Khan Sha'ar Hagai, where we continued exploring Jewish heroism and the amazing story of the building of the Burma Road during Israel's War for Independence - a road built to bypass the Arabs and get vital supplies to Jerusalem. This was a perfect follow up from the Jewish Fighters of WWII Museum and I highly recommend visiting both on the same day. To think that so many who fought in our War of Independence, had come from war torn countries, had lost many family members, in some cases their entire family, and yet they had such grit and determination, and were brimming with hope and courage. They fought for us, the future that many never got to see but made our lives today possible.

If you missed out on this tiyul, don't miss out on the next one - be sure to sign up to our mailing list by emailing me olivia@ibca.co.il. If you're on the fence about joining IBCA, be sure to check out our events page to see our past events and our upcoming events!