TIME TO TAKE A STAND AGAINST GLOBAL TERRORISM

The ZF has launched a campaign calling on the EU and the UK Government to proscribe the Iranian Revolutionary Guards (IRG) as a terrorist organisation.

We are calling on the EU and the UK to proscribe the IRG as a terrorist organisation due to it being a leader in state sponsored terrorism. The IRG has also been active in sponsoring and supporting terrorism including in Europe, as well as targeting the UK, through attacks on UK soldiers. It is also a major funder and trainer of international terrorist groups including Hezbollah and Hamas, making it a major protagonist in global terrorism.

Paul Charney, Chairman of the ZF said, “The EU and the UK must take practical steps to deal with international terrorism. By proscribing the IRG, it would be showing its commitment to fighting terrorism and protecting the security of EU citizens”.

The ZF and all its UK members will continue to campaign for the EU and the UK to take a stand against international terrorism.

Further information on our campaign can be found here - and if you’d like to take part in our campaign against international terrorism you can sign the petition here. 

ZF TRAINING MEDIA SPOKESPEOPLE

On Sunday May 5^th and Monday 6^th May 2013 the ZF will be holding a 2 day spokesperson training course led by Mark Regev’s media trainer Linda Lovitch, who is coming especially from Israel for this.

There is a clear demand from the media for Israel spokespeople. We believe considering the success of our four previous media training events that through our latest spokesperson training course, we can help train the next generation of spokespeople.

Those attending the course will be trained by one of the best in the business. Linda has been working as a media consultant and adviser for over 15 years. Her trainees include the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs renowned spokesman Mark Regev, who has appeared on Channel 4, the BBC, Sky News, CNN and many more well-known news channels.  She also has experience of training Government Ministers and the Israeli Government press office and many more people. Those attending the course will benefit from training by an expert.

Alan Aziz, Executive Director of the ZF said “The ZF will continue to be at the forefront of speaking up for Israel, through providing people with the tools to make Israel’s case”

Pictures will be available from the event upon request and if you’d like to cover the event in person or interview Linda Lovitch please email stephen@zfuk.org

ZF AND SIX THOUSAND PEOPLE CELEBRATE ISRAEL 65

The ZF hosted the largest concert on Yom Ha’azmaut in Europe, last night, for 6,000 people at Wembley Arena. Those who attended celebrated Israel’s birthday in style.

The event began with a moving speech by Ambasssador Daniel Taub, who said the ZF’s Israel 65 show was the best party in town. The night was expertly MC’d by top TV and Radio personality Vanessa Feltz who spoke about her close relationship with Israel and a guest appearance was made by Israeli celebrity Uri Geller.

Stacey Solomon, a finalist of the X Factor and well known TV personality, sang a medley of songs including a rousing rendition of ‘What a Wonderful World’. Her performance showed why she has been one of the most successful X Factor finalists.

The audience witnessed a masterclass in dancing from Britain’s Got Talent record winners, Spelbound. Their outstanding moves amazed everyone.

The show was completed with talented Israeli singers Ivri Lider, Israel’s male singer of the Year and Ishtar, the Madonna of the Middle East, alongside her French band Alabina. Ishtar created an electric atmosphere with her performance and Ivri Lider wowed the audience. This highlighted the best of Israeli culture.

The concert was given an international flavour by Chico, the founder of the Gipsy Kings with his band Chico and the Gypsies. Chico also performed with Alabina showing how international artists were coming together for Israel’s anniversary.

The audience was treated to one of the best comedians in the UK, Mark Maier. Mark had the audience laughing throughout the night.

Those wanting to party after the show were able to do so thanks to an after party exclusively for young professionals. Featured at the party was Israeli DJ, Adi Ulamansky, who flew in especially from Israel to play a selection of chart hits.

ZF Director and producer of the show, Alan Aziz said, “We wanted to bring thousands of people from across the UK together to celebrate Israel’s existence and achievements that make us proud to stand with Israel and that’s exactly what we did”.

More photos are available via dropbox: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/f0f4upo9nasgdas/4gxK284awF. Please credit all photos to Steve Winston whose website is www.stevewinstonphotos.com

STATEMENT REGARDING RONNIE FRASER CASE

STATEMENT REGARDING RONNIE FRASER CASE

The ZF was very disturbed to read the Judgement in the Fraser versus UCU (University College Union) case. We were particularly distressed to read the assertion that belief in the Zionist project or an attachment to Israel is not intrinsically part of Judaism.

 

This part of the Judgement shows a deplorable ignorance of the history of the Jewish people and of Israel . Israel is at the centre of the prayers of Jews and before Israel was created in 1948, there was an unbroken Jewish presence in the land for thousands of years. Moreover, Israel was borne out of centuries of antisemitism towards Jews, similar to the antisemitism that Ronnie Fraser endured at the hands of UCU. Israel is the only country in the world grounded in Judaism and for the Tribunal not to recognise that does a profound disservice to the Zionist cause.

 

Paul Charney, Chairman of The ZF said  “The ZF will always fight antisemitism and applauds Ronnie Fraser - a member of our National Council - who represented not just Jews but all right-minded people in the Tribunal hearing“.

 

RESPONSE TO DAVID ROSE ARTICLE IN THE DAILY MAIL

RESPONSE TO DAVID ROSE ARTICLE IN THE DAILY MAIL 

The ZF sent a letter to the Daily Mail in response to David Rose's article: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2298159/Why-Obamas-peace-trip-smoke-Both-sides-say-meaningful-solution-impossible.html 


Dear Sir,

Having read David Rose's article on Israel in last week's Mail on Sunday, I felt it was important to challenge the myth this article spreads that Israel is solely to blame for the failure of the peace process.

I find it astounding that not once throughout the article does Mr Rose mention the fact that since 2005, when Israel unilaterally pulled out of the Gaza Strip to further the chances of peace, it has been met with over 8,000 rockets from Gaza, which Hamas controls and is therefore directly responsible for. Furthermore, the article fails to mention how Hamas, who control the Gaza Strip, as defined in their charter, are committed to Israel's destruction and are intensely anti-Semitic. Clearly, this group is not intent on only destroying the peace process, but trying to destroy Israel.

Not once in his article on the peace process does Mr Rose mention this. Moreover, Mr Rose ignores the fact that Binyamin Netanyahu froze settlement building for a year in 2009 in order to try and bring Mahmoud Abbas, the leader of the Palestinian Authority, back to the negotiating table.  However Mahmoud Abbas still refused to talk to his Israeli counterpart, a position he maintains today.

Mr Rose's article, in its disproportionate attacks on Israel, forgets that in any peace process there is a need for two peace partners.

Yours Sincerely,

Paul Charney,
ZF CHAIRMAN

Zionist Federation UK
020 8202 0202 / www.zionist.org.uk

BARONESS THATCHER WAS A TRUE FRIEND OF ISRAEL AND THE JEWISH PEOPLE

BARONESS THATCHER WAS A TRUE FRIEND OF ISRAEL AND THE JEWISH PEOPLE

We were deeply saddened to learn of Baroness Thatcher's death. The ZF offers its sincere condolences to her family.

Margaret Thatcher, the Conservative MP for Finchley and Golders Green from 1959-1992 and Prime Minister from 1979-1990 was a true friend to the Jewish people and to the State of Israel.

She was the first Prime Minister to make an official trip to Israel and energetically opposed the Arab boycott.

Thatcher claimed her greatest accomplishment was her work as a child to help save a Jewish teenager in Austria from the Holocaust. In 1938, after correspondence with Margaret Thatcher’s sister, Muriel Roberts, Margaret and her sister set about raising funds for Edith, so she could move to England and escape the mass genocide of Jews in World War Two. During her time as Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher frequently condemned Soviet Union officials for their treatment of Refuseniks.

Paul Charney, Chairman of the ZF said, “Margaret Thatcher was a loyal friend to the Jewish people and the State of Israel. Her continued defence of freedom and democracy worldwide was at one with Israel, the only stable and mature democracy in the Middle East.”

   

ZF STATEMENT ON IRISH TEACHERS BOYCOTT

ZF STATEMENT ON IRISH TEACHERS BOYCOTT

The Zionist Federation of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was incensed to learn that the Teachers Union of Ireland has voted to boycott all academic collaboration with Israel, including research programmes and exchange of scientists. 

The decision is an attack on academic and intellectual freedom. In addition, the boycott singles out Israel in a way that demonises the Jewish State in ways that can be seen to be antisemitic. The ZF will be doing all it can to overturn this divisive boycott which damages relations between Israel and Ireland that benefit both nations and can only be to the detriment of the process of learning.

The Chairman of the ZF, Paul Charney said, “The vote by Ireland’s teaching union is a sad day for the freedom of expression and academic learning, which relies on the free exchange of ideas worldwide. This boycott is divisive and demonises Israel. The ZF will be doing all we can to oppose this boycott.”

The ZF and all its members will continue to stand up to attempts to delegitimise Israel.  

ZF TO HOST THE LARGEST EVER ISRAEL CONCERT IN THE UK

ZF TO HOST THE LARGEST EVER ISRAEL CONCERT IN THE UK

The Zionist Federation (ZF) are holding the largest concert in Europe on Israel’s 65th birthday, for 10,000 people at Wembley Arena on Tuesday 16th April.

The event will showcase Israeli talent including Ishtar, the Israeli lead singer of Alabina who has sold millions of records worldwide and has been called the Madonna of the Middle East. She has also had solo pop hits with well known songs like C'est La Vie, Last Kiss and Habibi. Another Israeli singer performing will be Ivri Lider, one of the most successful Israeli musicians of his generation, who due to his songwriting is one of the most adored and respected people in Israel. Ivri has also been named Israel's male singer of the year and has sold more than 200,000 records.

Also performing at the concert is the world famous Chico, the founder of the Gipsy Kings who will be performing with his band the Gypsies. Moreover, Alexandra Burke a former UK X factor winner and a Platinum selling artist will be singing, Spelbound, a UK dance group who won Britain Got's Talent will be dancing and Mark Maier a successful UK comedian will be performing.

Director of the ZF and Executive Producer of the Gala Concert, Alan Aziz said, “The concert will bring the best of Israeli music to the UK and enable people celebrate Israel’s existence and achievements that make us proud”.

The ZF and its supporters will continue to bring Israel to the UK.

Photos will be available upon request by emailing stephen@zfuk.org or calling him on 0208 202 0202. 

Full information about the event available on www.israel65.org.uk 

ARAFAT THE LIAR

ARAFAT THE LIAR
By Stephen Hoffman 

I’ve just read Ephraim Halevy’s (The former Head of Mossad) autobiography. It is a fascinating read and one can be under no allusion that this is a man who supports the two state solution and is not on the right of Israel’s political spectrum. With all that being said, despite what we often hear naively from those who spend too much time blaming Israel solely for the failure of the peace process, he concludes that Arafat was no man of peace, despite his unjustly awarded Nobel Peace Prize. In fact, he was a liar who lived in an imaginary world, intent on terrorising Israelis, and caring more for this than the Palestinian people.  It’s no wonder that at the end of it everyone who experienced Arafat, whether it was the Egyptian, Syrian, Jordanian and Israeli Government could not trust him. They understood that the truth and Arafat were strangers to each other.

Arafat it seems lied as soon as he could speak. You know you can’t trust a person when despite everyone knowing he was born in Cairo, he claimed to be born in Jerusalem, just to fit in with his own myth.  In trying to keep up with the myth that he was an authentic Palestinian national freedom fighter, he claimed to have disabled ten Armoured Personnel Carriers in the 1948 War of Independence, despite the fact that Israel had no carriers in the sectors he was in. It was yet another figment of Arafat’s wild imagination.

Wherever Arafat was in charge it seemed to spell disaster for the Palestinians. In 1969 after basing his Fatah Group in Jordan, he initiated a terror campaign against the people of Jordan. This led to Black September in 1970, where in a bloody war against the Palestinian people bought on by Arafat’s campaign of terror thousands of Palestinians were killed by the Jordanian army and Arafat, his army and political supporters were kicked unceremoniously out of Jordan. The same thing happened in Syria. Despite protestations to the contrary wherever Arafat goes, violence is as likely to follow as the next Chief Rabbi being Jewish.  This is the true nature of Arafat, a man who wreaks havoc wherever he goes, whilst trying to cover it up with bare faced lies.

One of his worst was about his culpability in the Second Intifada. Arafat claimed that the Second Intifada that led to the senseless murder of thousands of Israeli civilians by Palestinian terror groups and significantly undermined the peace process had nothing to do with him. He claimed it was all caused by Ariel Sharon’s visit to the Temple Mount in 2001. As this was coming from a pathological liar, it’s unsurprising to know this simply wasn’t true.  The book Son of Hamas, written by a former Hamas Commander, Mosab Hassan Yousef, conclusively illustrates that Arafat launched the Second Intifada and had been planning it for some time. This is backed up by Western intelligence agencies.  Arafat had the blood of Israeli civilians all over his hands, whilst at the same time claiming to want peace with Israel, if only they would pursue peace with him. This is completely disingenuous and creates a parallel universe where those pursuing violence against Israel are the peacemakers, whilst the Israeli Government in protecting their civilians are the mindless killers.

Arafat is also a master in making conspiracy theories.  He claimed the May 2001 terrorist attack at a Tel Aviv Nightclub that killed 20 young Israelis was the work of Mossad. This was of course an obnoxious lie. The truth was the Intifada was launched by Arafat.  Yet due to his fixation on painting Israel as the bad guy, he was willing to make outlandish theories.  Quite how a person who sees his peace partner as the reason for all evil and makes up lies about them could be a man of peace, I do not know.

Arafat was a man who destroyed the peace process through his continuous falsehoods, which in its most egregious form pretended to know nothing about the daily terror Israelis faced from the Intifada when he was in fact behind it.  In doing so Arafat endangered the lives of Israeli civilians and destroyed the chances of a Palestinian state, side by side with Israel. It’s time that all people regardless of their views of Israelis and Palestinians realise this and stopped pretending Arafat was a peacemaker or hero.