Bureau Zoom Meeting Report: "The New Middle East"
Jeremy Havardi • April 16, 2025
Jotam Confino's online talk on 15 April 2025
Last night, broadcaster, journalist and author Jotam Confino spoke to members and friends of B’nai B’rith UK about the ‘new Middle East’ since October 7. He explored the multiple fronts in this conflict, especially in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and Iran, based on his first hand reporting over the last 18 months. While explaining the various ways in which Israel’s enemies had been gravely weakened by the conflict, Jotam also discussed the internal pressures that the war had opened up within Israeli society. His talk was well attended and received by those present.
Jeremy Havardi
Director, B’nai B’rith UK Bureau of International Affairs
Bureau of International Affairs Newsletter April 2025
See the 2025 April Newsletter from BBUK President Alan Miller for the latest news and updates, including:
Opportunities and Challenges: a meeting with the Metropolitan Police Service
Congratulations to Valerie Bello, recognised with the ‘Heritage Hero Lifetime Award’ by the Heritage Alliance
BB International have just published the Spring 2025 edition of their IMPACT REPORT
B’nai B’rith UK would like to express our immense sorrow at the return to Israel of the bodies of Kfir and Ariel Bibas, their mother Shiri Bibas and peace activist Oded Lifshitz. We mourn the loss of their beautiful souls and send comfort to their families at a time of deep sadness and anguish. As a community, we clung to hope that these innocents would be returned safely to their families. Now we know that they were victims of Hamas’s fathomless barbarism and cruelty. Indeed even in death, they could not be respected. Few of us will forget how their coffins were daubed with vile slogans and subjected to a ghoulish and obscene display of propaganda. The killing of these innocents reminds us that Israel’s enemies have an insatiable appetite to murder Jews. They are the enemies of their own people, not just Israelis, and they must play no role in Gaza, and beyond. We call for all remaining hostages to be released now and for the world to stand by Israel as it seeks to protect its citizens.
The Current Situation Facing Jews Worldwide and the Response of our European Organisations
Zoom Meeting to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day
Since 7 October, B’nai B’rith UK has campaigned for the release of all hostages held in Gaza. Reports confirm that they have been held in appalling conditions and subjected to various forms of torture and degrading ill treatment. We welcome the fact that in the ceasefire proposal just announced, some of these hostages will be released back into the arms of their loving families. It is essential that they are given the time and space to rehabilitate after what they have endured. Ultimately, all the hostages must be released. At the same time, we remain deeply concerned at the heavy price that this deal will incur, especially if it means that Hamas will survive in the long term. We must never forget the acts of unspeakable savagery that were committed on 7 October and the promise that these would be repeated if Hamas had the chance. It is essential that these terrorists are never again allowed to rule Gaza if there is to be any chance of long term peace and security.
BB International is pleased to announce that, following elections held at the Triennial Convention on 16th January 2025,
