The post Letter to the editor of the Daily Telegraph by our Chair Melvin Berwald first appeared on IBCA Israel, Britain & the Commonwealth Assoc.

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

The post PHARAOH AKHENATON TO MARK REGEV: 3000 YEARS OF DIPLOMACY! first appeared on IBCA Israel, Britain & the Commonwealth Assoc.

The post BRING THEM HOME NOW first appeared on IBCA Israel, Britain & the Commonwealth Assoc.

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!

The post “Our Jewish Heroes of Yesteryear Who Made Our Today Possible” first appeared on IBCA Israel, Britain & the Commonwealth Assoc.

The post Letter from our Chair Melvin Berwald to the British Ambassador to Israel H. E. Simon Walters regarding the ICC first appeared on IBCA Israel, Britain & the Commonwealth Assoc.

The post SHURAT HADIN GOES TO WAR AFTER OCTOBER 7TH first appeared on IBCA Israel, Britain & the Commonwealth Assoc.

Sunday 8th September.

We will visit Sderot, the Nova Music Festival Memorial Site and Kibbutz Alumim, one of the settlements close to the Gaza border fence, where heavy fighting took place on 7th October. Some 16/17 Thai workers were killed in Alumim, and a number taken hostage. Unfortunately, the exact numbers are still unclear. It will be an emotional and reflective experience and our goal is to bear witness to what happened on that day. Led by Eric Isaacson, a local resident and tour guide, we will meet those affected. Hopefully by visiting we will be able to reflect on the impact of these events and process our own experiences while showing solidarity and helping those living in the Otef. 

We believe this tour is of the utmost importance.

Tour itinerary
07.30 – 08.00 – There will be several coach stops. Pick up will begin at Ir Yamim (Netanya) and go from there to Herzliya
– Tour round Sderot to include stop at lookout for overview and introduction to Gaza
– Sderot to Tkuma and Nova sites
– Nova to Kibbutz Alumim
– Lunch at, and tour of Kibbutz Alumim
17.30 – 18.00 – Return to Herzliya/Ir Yamim (Netanya)

The cost is NIS 275 per member and NIS 295 per non-member (inclusive of lunch).

NB During these challenging times IBCA reserves the right to make last minute changes to the itinerary or postpone the event if advised by the authorities.

The post טיול עיידות – COME AND BEAR WITNESS first appeared on IBCA Israel, Britain & the Commonwealth Assoc.

Dr Kedar, a well known advocate for Israel and a lecturer at Bar-Ilan University, with a unique understanding of how Middle Eastern countries operate, expressed his views on the ongoing war and how he expects other countries to react based on his exceptional understanding of the neighbourhood in which we live. He then answered questions and it was very clear how knowledgeable he, due to the speed of his responses. It was a privilege to listen to him.

The post Breakfast with Dr Mordechai Kedar – “Israel, Islam and the Middle East. Is there any hope for peace?” first appeared on IBCA Israel, Britain & the Commonwealth Assoc.

H.E. Simon Walters

Britain’s Ambassador to Israel

2^nd November 2023

Dear Ambassador Walters

At the outset, on behalf of IBCA, may I express our Association’s heartfelt appreciation for the support given to Israel by the British Government, headed by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, at a time when Israel has experienced the barbaric murder of innocent men, women and children – it is much appreciated.

However it is with immense sadness that IBCA, whose membership includes many with close family in the UK, notes the unprecedented rise in antisemitism throughout Britain. That a massacre, carried out by Hamas, on a Jewish Festival Day should spark this reaction is deeply worrying. According to the UK’s Community Security Trust (CST) reports of antisemitic incidents have risen 581% this year compared to the same time last year.

Prior to my coming to live in Israel, I was privileged to head a number of organizations; the last position I held was that of being the chairperson of the Hillel Foundation whose main raison d’etra was supporting Jewish students on campus. 

Yesterday I spoke with Edward Daniel UJS’s Communication and Public Relations’ Officer.  He shared his deep concern today for Jewish students on campuses throughout the UK.  He said  that on October 8^th (the day following the massacre in Israel’s South)  UJS received over 100 calls from Jewish students expressing concerns, anxieties and reports of antisemitic incidents on their campuses;  Jewish students have reported verbal abuse and intimidation and even death threats. In addition I have been privy to a series of motions (all carried) at Cambridge University, Oxford University and UCL (among others) where there is one sentence referring to the massacre of Israeli civilians within numerous pages of abuse against Israel in its fight against Hamas the terrorist organization responsible for the genocide of innocent civilians. The motions passed called for a “mass uprising” and “Intifada until victory”.

It is from universities that tomorrow’s leaders emerge. We in IBCA are deeply worried by the reality of the leadership that might emerge in Britain tomorrow if the current heightened level of antisemitism is not curbed.

Having been involved with IBCA for some 20 plus years this is the first time I have ever felt the necessity to express concern as to the safety and future for Jewish students in the UK.

Sincerely

Brenda

Brenda Katten

Chairperson IBCA

The post A Letter from our Chair Brenda Katten to the British Ambassador to Israel H.E. Simon Walters first appeared on IBCA Israel, Britain & the Commonwealth Assoc.

At this challenging time our hearts are with all who have suffered tragic loss and those whose loved ones have been taken hostage.  Our thoughts are with the brave combatants within the Israel Defense Force and we pray for their safe return home.

The post Balfour Dinner Postponed first appeared on IBCA Israel, Britain & the Commonwealth Assoc.