We are a group of concerned British citizens and residents from a wide range of backgrounds and professions who stand in solidarity with British Jews and condemn all forms of antisemitism, whether in Britain or elsewhere.

We unequivocally condemn all acts of terrorism against civilians in Israel, especially the massacre on 7 October 2023. 

On 7 October 2023 the State of Israel and her citizens, both Jews and non-Jews, were subjected to a brutal terrorist attack, which resulted in the murder, torture, rape and kidnapping of over 1,500 people.

More Jews were killed on that day than on any other day since the Holocaust.

We are aware that Jews are not the only victims of this tragedy. Hamas knew that there would be consequences to 7 October, but the consequences did not weigh with Hamas.

Its ongoing terrorist operation is calculated to cause maximum fear and distress. The people of Israel have been subjected to a near constant bombardment of rockets from Gaza and Lebanon. Civilians of all kinds – including the elderly, disabled, women, children and babies – have been targeted in a direct breach of the rules of war. 

We share the shock and distress of Israelis, British Jews and compassionate people around the world at the unfolding horror and its consequences.

We call for all the hostages taken on 7 October to be released immediately. It is an essential step on the path to peace and the cessation of hostilities.

We stand in support of British Jews and condemn acts of antisemitism

Following the terrorist attack on Israel, antisemitism is surging in the UK. The Community Security Trust (CST) recorded at least 533 antisemitic incidents across the UK between 7-20 October 2023, representing an increase of 651% compared to the same period in 2022. 

Children have not been spared. Four Jewish schools in Britain felt compelled to close. One school was vandalised. It is abominable that British children should now live in fear just because they are Jews. All children should be able to attend school without fear. 

British Jews should not live in fear because of actions taken by the state of Israel to defend itself. The British state must do everything in its power to protect them.

While we respect the right of all groups to engage in peaceful protest, we urge the police to enforce the law without fear or favour. 

We ask the media, members of all political parties and everyone in public life to call out Hamas for what it is: a terrorist organisation. 

Hamas, whose actions have led directly and indirectly to the tragic deaths of many Palestinian civilians as well as Israelis, is a proscribed terrorist organisation in the UK as well as in many other states. The Home Secretary and the Prime Minister have identified Hamas as a terrorist organisation. Failure to use the correct language – describing Hamas as ‘militants’ or ‘fighters’, for instance – creates the false impression that Hamas and Israel’s armed forces are morally equivalent and is an affront to the group’s victims  – the dead, their families, and those currently being held hostage.

No one thought this would be necessary in the 21st Century but, sadly, it is.

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Signed:

Sir Tom Stoppard OM CBE, playwright

Baroness (Helena) Morrissey  DBE, financier, equality campaigner

Sir Tim Rice, lyricist and author

Dame Maureen Lipman DBE, actress and writer

Rt Hon Lucy Frazer KC

Lord (David) Owen, Former Labour Foreign Secretary

Vanessa Feltz, broadcaster and writer

Baron (Andrew) Roberts of Belgravia, historian

Rt Hon Suella Braverman KC MP

Professor Richard Dawkins, University of Oxford

Rachel Riley, TV presenter

Andrew Neil, broadcaster and journalist

Elaine Paige OBE, actress and singer

Rt Hon Michael Gove

Baron (David) Frost of Allenton CMG PC

Rt Hon Elizabeth Truss MP

Rt Hon Sir Iain Duncan Smith MP

Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP

Nimco Ali OBE

Rod Liddle, journalist

Lord (Daniel) Finkelstein, journalist and author

Sir Richard Dearlove KCMG OBE, former Head of SIS

Baroness (Kate) Hoey of Lylehill and Rathlin

Professor Niall Ferguson, historian

Tom Conti, actor

Theresa Villiers MP

Matthew d’Ancona, journalist

Ben Goldsmith, financier and environmentalist

Dr Julia Pascal, theatre director and playwright

Tom Holland, author and The Rest is History podcaster

Emma Picken, Director, Labour Against Antisemitism

Lord (Ross) Kempsell

Lord Maxton

Lord Mitchell

The Right Hon. the Lord (Zac) Goldsmith of Richmond Park

Maria Caulfield MP

Lord Stewart of Dirleton KC

Julia Hartley-Brewer, broadcaster and journalist

Sir William Shawcross CVO, author and broadcaster

Camilla Tominey, journalist

Ayaan Hirsi Ali, author and campaigner

Steven Berkoff, actor and playwright

The Earl of Leicester

Rt Hon Dame Diana Johnson MP

Konstantin Kisin, author and Triggernometry podcaster

Jon Moynihan OBE, venture capitalist

Patricia Moynihan, company director

Baron (Tony) Sewell of Sanderstead, former Chair of Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities

Tracy-Ann Oberman, actress and playwright

Fiona Sharp spokeswoman for Labour Against Antisemitism

Lord Foulkes of Cumnock

Baron (Charles) Moore of Etchingham, biographer and journalist

Neil Blair, literary agent

Katharine Birbalsingh, teacher

Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, MP and broadcaster

Baron (Shaun) Bailey of Paddington AM

Matt Ridley, 5th Viscount Ridley, science writer and businessman

Lord Donoughue

Baroness (Claire) Fox of Buckley, author, director Academy of Ideas

Baron (Peter) Cruddas of Shoreditch, banker and businessman

Baron (Ian) Austin of Dudley, former  PPS to Prime Minister Gordon Brown

Baroness (Arlene) Foster of Aghadrumsee DBE, broadcaster

Lord Eric Pickles PC

Baroness (Anne) Jenkin of Kennington, founder Women2Win

Lord (Daniel) Hannan of Kingsclere, politician and journalist

The Rt Hon. the Lord Blencathra

Lesley Klaff, Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Contemporary Antisemitism

Rt Hon Sir Graham Brady MP

Andrea Jenkyns MP

Sir Charles Walker KBE MP

Miriam Cates MP

Danny Kruger MP

William Clouston, Leader of the Social Democratic Party

Graham Linehan, comedy writer, creator of Father Ted 

Julie Bindel, writer and campaigner

Bel Mooney, journalist and author

Molly Kingsley, author and campaigner

Johnnie Boden, founder of Boden

Lynne Franks, women’s rights campaigner

Jonathan Barnett, football agent and Executive Chairman of ICM Stellar Sports

Simon Sebag Montefiore, author and broadcaster

Inaya Folarin Iman, broadcaster, founder Equiano Project

Alan Miller, campaigner

Luke Johnson, entrepreneur

Colin Lester OBE

Lord (Stanley) Fink

The Rt Hon. the Lord Howard of Lympne CH KC

William Salomon, Senior partner, Hansa Capital Partners

Bill Browder, financier, CEO of Hermitage Capital Management

Baroness (Ruth) Deech, bioethicist and politician

Iain Martin, author and publisher, Reaction

Baroness (Catherine) Meyer CBE, founder Action Against Abduction

Benjamin Till, composer and filmmaker

Jacob Vince, Chief Executive of Christian Friends of Israel UK

Professor Robert Tombs, University of Cambridge

David Abulafia, Professor Emeritus Mediterranean History, University of Cambridge

Professor Matthew Goodwin, University of Kent

Professor Nigel Biggar ,University of Oxford

Professor Frank Furedi, Emeritus Professor of Sociology, University of Kent.

Professor Gwythian Prins, Emeritus research professor LSE.

Professor Andrew Tettenborn, University of Swansea

Professor Robert Plomin, King’s College London

Professor David Ibbetson, University of Cambridge

Professor Dennis Hayes, University of Derby

Professor Eric Kaufmann, University of Buckingham

Professor Fiona Campbell, University of Dundee

Professor Petro Nicolaides, Birmingham City University

Professor Jeremy Jennings, King’s College London

Professor Raymond Wacks, University of Hong Kong

Professor David Paton, Nottingham University Business School

Professor Ian Pace, City, University of London

Professor Anna Sapir Abulafia, University of Cambridge

David Hirsh, Goldsmiths College and Director of the London Centre for the Study of Contemporary Antisemitism

Dr James Orr, University of Cambridge

Dr David Butterfield, University of Cambridge

Dr Julius Grower, University of Oxford

Dr Michael Biggs, University of Oxford

Dr Jon Pike, Senior lecturer, The Open University

Dr Philip Kiszely, University of Leeds

Dr Miriam Prins, consultant neuropsychologist

Rachel Johnson, author and broadcaster

Michael Etherton, Chief Executive UK Jewish Film

Nicholas Martin, screenwriter (Golda, 2023)

Matthew Elliott, political strategist and lobbyist

Janet Daley, columnist, Sunday Telegraph

Brendan O’Neill, Chief Political Writer at Spiked

Andrew Doyle, writer and broadcaster

Nick Dixon, broadcaster

Freddy Gray, Deputy Editor, The Spectator

Maggie Pagano, Executive Editor, Reaction

Alex Brummer, City Editor, Daily Mail

Madeline Grant, journalist

Tom Slater, Editor, Spiked

Suzanne Evans, political commentator and journalist

Jo-Anne Nadler, author and political commentator

Michael Cross, journalist

Ruth Dudley Edwards, journalist

Dia Chakravarty, journalist

Chris Myers, Mayor of Hertsmere 

David Maddox, journalist

Louise Perry, journalist and author

Darren Grimes, broadcaster

Stephen Knight, reporter

Baroness (Janet Alison) Whitaker

Lord Walney

John Strafford, author

Ed West, writer, Substack

Lois Perry, broadcaster

Helen Joyce, author

Baroness Ramsay of Cartvale

Joanna Williams, author, Director of Cieo

Julie Burchill, journalist

Maya Forstater, writer and campaigner 

Angela Levin, biographer and journalist

Jonny Gould, TV and radio journalist and presenter

Josh Howie, comedian

Giles Udy, historian

Reverend Daniel French, Anglican priest and presenter Irreverend podcast

Dr Alan Mendoza, Director, Henry Jackson Society

Peter Whittle, Director, New Culture Forum

Alp Mehmet, Chairperson, Migrationwatch UK 

Lord Benjamin Mancroft, 3rd Baron Mancroft, businessman 

Ian Macpherson, 3rd Baron Strathcarron, author

Hugh Trenchard, 3rd Viscount Trenchard, soldier and businessman

Baron (Leslie) Turnberg FRCP, medical practitioner

Jamie Borwick, 5th Baron Borwick, businessman

Steve McCabe MP

Guy Mansfield, 6th Baron Sandhurst

Baroness (Peta) Buscombe, barrister and regulator

Baroness (Jacqueline) Foster of Oxton DBE

Ike Ijeh, architect, author, founding signatory Don’t Divide Us

John Rogerson, film director and agent

Rafe Heydel-Mankoo, historian and broadcaster

Dr Norman Lewis, writer and visiting research fellow, MCC Brussels

Professor Doug Stokes, University of Exeter

Jude Robinson, Councillor, Truro and Falmouth

James Price, Ex-Chief of Staff to Chancellor of the Exchequer

Baroness (Sheila) Noakes DBE

Rosie Cuckston, Organiser, Birmingham Salon

Stephen Hazell-Smith, The City Grump

Steven Barrett, barrister and writer

Dr Susan Bowie, Chair, Shetland Labour

Estee Stimler, writer and lyricist

Andy Mayer, Councillor, City of London

Andy Shaw, Comedy Unleashed

Kate Rothschild, campaigner

Lord (Patrick) Trevethin and Oaksey KC

George Owers, publisher 

James Murray, solicitor

Baron (Stewart) Jackson of Peterborough

Rebecca Challice, Mayor, Elstree and Borehamwood

Austin Williams, Director, Future Cities Project

Lady Judy McAlpine

Chris Rose, architecture and construction

Baron (Stephen) Greenhalgh, politician and businessman

Christina Jordan, politician, former MEP

Mike Rouse, Councillor, Worcestershire Country Council

David Campbell Bannerman, Chairman, Freedom Association

Philip Sinclair, barrister

Derrick Berthelsen, investment analyst

Dennis Noel Kavanagh, Director, Gay Men’s Network

Elliot Hammer, solicitor

John Harris, solicitor

Major Dominic Farrell, retired soldier

Rt Hon. Lord Rooker

Jamie Bryson, Director, Unionist Voice Policy Studies

Dr Robert Lyman, historian and author

Lance Forman, politician and businessman

Baron (Howard) Leigh of Hurley

Lionel Shriver, author

Peter Thompson, company director

Helen Green, Councillor, Hertsmere Borough Council

PJ Kirby KC, barrister

Lord (Ken) Macdonald of River Glaven KC

Alex Deane, political commentator and author

James Esses, co-founder of Thoughtful Therapists

Robert Edward Gurney, poet

Mahyar Tousi, broadcaster and YouTuber

Dr Radomir Tylecote, Director, Legatum Institute

James Heartfield, historian and author

Dr Renée Hoenderkamp, GP and broadcaster

Edward Chancellor, author and journalist

Judith Ornstein, author

Leo Kearse, broadcaster

Euan Philipps, Director, Labour Against Antisemitsm 

Ben M Freeman, author and educator

Professor David Deutsch, University of Oxford

Renos Georgiou, Councillor, Hertsmere Borough Council

Mark Dolan, broadcaster 

Frances Barber, actress

Christian Gray, Deputy Leader, Hertsmere Borough Council

Linda Smith, Councillor, Hertsmere Borough Council

Jeremy Newark, Leader, Hertsmere Borough Council

Richard Foreman, historical novelist and publisher

Tonia Buxton, writer and broadcaster

Zoe Strimpel, journalist

Lord Watson of Wyre Forest

Roger Lewis, author and journalist

Dr Alka Sehgal Cuthbert, Director, Don’t Divide Us

Dr Keren Darmon, University of Greenwich

Rt. Hon Joan Ryan, CEO ELNETUK

Hilary Freeman, journalist and author 

Nicole Lampert, journalist

Jo Bartosch, journalist

Rev Marcus Walker, Rector of Great St Bartholomews

Lesley Katon, campaigner & strategist

Michael Dugher, former Shadow Secretary of State

Saul David, historian and author

Jeremy Brier KC

Roger Moorhouse, historian and author

Alex Gerko, XTX Markets

Matthew Schellhorn, concert pianist

Wendy Cope, poet

Miriam Halahmy, children’s author

Mahan Esfahani, harpsichordist

Teddy Leifer, Rise Films

Joan Smith, journalist

Robert Kilroy-Silk, politician and broadcaster

Mt Rev’d Jerome Lloyd DD FRSA, Titular Archbishop of Selsey

View the list of public signatories.

Organisers:

Laura Dodsworth, author and journalist

Allison Pearson, author and journalist

Toby Young, journalist and campaigner

Toby Guise, PR Consultant

Emma Webb, Director, Common Sense Society (United Kingdom)

Francis Hoar, barrister

Ian Rons, President, Free Speech Union

Dr Jan Macvarish

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