British Jewry

From Balfour to rock bottom: Britain and Israel's seesawing ties

The long, seesawing history of Britain’s involvement in Zionism, from imperial sponsorship to modern diplomatic rupture

|ByNEVILLE TELLER
Streets in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem are named after Britain’s King George V due to the Balfour Declaration supporting the establishment of a national home for the Jewish people in what was then known as Palestine, which was issued during his reign.
CUSTOMERS WAIT to be served at a butchers stall in Smithfield Market, the UK’s largest wholesale meat market in London, Britain, November 19, 2021.

UK animal welfare bill forcing divulging of kosher, halal meat passes first reading

MP Esther McVey, who brought the bill on Tuesday, said it is about animal welfare, transparency in meat production and consumer choice, and does not seek to ban halal or kosher meat. 

|ByMATHILDA HELLER
Signs in support of the Green Party stand outside houses in the constituency of Gorton and Denton ahead of a parliamentary by-election, in Manchester, Britain, February 18, 2026.

Green Party to vote on 'Zionism is Racism' motion, calls for Palestinian state from river to sea

Motion A105 Zionism is Racism defines Zionism as racism, recognises its "continued harm to Palestinians," and would position the stance of the Green Party as anti-Zionist.

|ByMATHILDA HELLER
UK MINISTER Hamish Falconer is seen speaking at a ceremony at the headquarters of the Palestinian Mission to the United Kingdom, in September 2025.

Hamish Falconer’s empty words: The UK has failed to protect its Jews - opinion

We cannot change the situation in the UK, but can only change our own situation.

|ByNIGEL LITHMAN

The noise around religious slaughter has killed debate across the Diaspora - opinion

A ban on non-mechanically stunned slaughter would profoundly harm the lives of observant Jews.

FEBRUARY 18, 2026BySHIMON COHEN
A man, wearing a kippah, holds the British flag at a march against antisemitism, after an increase in the UK, in London, Britain November 26, 2023.

UK minister: Britain is committed to its Jewish community - opinion

What the UK is doing now to protect Jews and stand against antisemitism

FEBRUARY 16, 2026ByHAMISH FALCONER
Demonstrators hold Israeli and British flags outside the Law Courts, during a march against antisemitism, after an increase in the UK, during a temporary truce between the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas and Israel, in London, Britain November 26, 2023.

The Palestine Action ruling leaves Britain’s Jewish community exposed - comment

A UK High Court ruling against proscribing Palestine Action has raised fears within Britain’s Jewish community about who protects minorities when intimidation falls short of terrorism.

FEBRUARY 15, 2026ByMATHILDA HELLER
MEMBERS OF the Palestine Action Group gather in Sydney, in May.

'Giving British Jews a voice': Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party launches Reform Jewish Alliance

“This isn’t about giving the Jewish community special treatment but simply the right to live safely and freely like any other citizens,” said party leader Farage.

FEBRUARY 11, 2026ByMATHILDA HELLER
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage speaks as demonstrators hold flags outside the Iranian embassy during a rally in support of nationwide protests in Iran, in London, Britain, January 12, 2026.

Britain's Jewish community pushes back as antisemitism reaches historic levels

After October 7, British Jews abandon quiet diplomacy, mobilize institutions, and secure unprecedented government backing

FEBRUARY 10, 2026ByNEVILLE TELLER
A demonstration was organized by the Campaign Against Antisemitism outside Downing Street in London in October to mark one week since the attack on a synagogue in Manchester. The Jewish community is not taking the onslaught of antisemitism lying down.

Israel-Diaspora future will be shaped by people, not just institutions - opinion

Why the next chapter will be shaped as much by people as by policy

FEBRUARY 10, 2026ByMICHAEL WEGIER
Participants of the Board of Deputies Under 35s Assembly group volunteer on Kibbutz Mefalsim during a visit to Israel last year.

US considering offering British Jews asylum amid rising antisemitism, Trump's UK-born lawyer says

Amid growing antisemitism in the UK, Trump’s lawyer Robert Garson revealed talks with the US State Department about offering asylum to British Jews seeking refuge.

JANUARY 20, 2026ByMATHILDA HELLER
Protesters wave flags and hold placards during a demonstration organised by the Campaign Against Antisemitism outside Downing Street in London on October 9, 2025 to mark one week since the attack on a synagogue in Manchester; illustrative.

Trump’s lawyer tells 'Post' he raised idea of offering asylum to UK Jews - interview

"Jews are being persecuted in the United Kingdom. They fit a wonderful demographic for the United States. They're exactly the sort of immigrant the United States should want to attract," said Garson.

JANUARY 19, 2026ByMATHILDA HELLER
People dance under Israeli flags as they gather for a commemorative event organized by the Jewish community to honour the lives lost in the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, in Trafalgar Square, London on October 5, 2025.

UK declares 'no confidence' in police chief behind ban on Israeli soccer fans

"We have witnessed a failure of leadership that has harmed the reputation and eroded public confidence in West Midlands Police and policing more broadly," said interior minister Shabana Mahmood.

JANUARY 15, 2026ByREUTERS, MATHILDA HELLER
Police officer and security staff look on as protesters display banners before Maccabi Tel Aviv faces Aston Villa, in Birmingham, UK, November 6, 2025

Jewish MP banned from visiting Bristol school to avoid angering teachers, fellow lawmaker says

MP Steve Reed revisited an anti-Israel campaign to prevent a pro-Israel Labour Parliament Member from visiting a school at the Sunday Jewish Labour Movement Conference.

JANUARY 13, 2026ByMICHAEL STARR
British Housing Secretary Steve Reed walks outside Downing Street, in London, Britain, November 18, 2025.