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.
Sign the October Declaration
(83,823 have signed already.)
If you are a UK citizen or resident, please show your support by signing the declaration:
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
Graham Linehan, writer
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