16 February 2025
"You Must Believe Israel Belongs to You": Ed Husain's Powerful Message at StandWithUs UK Event
On Thursday evening (13/2) StandWithUs UK hosted one of its largest and most impactful events to date at South Hampstead Shul, where hundreds of guests gathered for a compelling discussion featuring British author Ed Husain and Emirati political analyst Amjad Taha. The event provided crucial insights into the evolving challenges and opportunities in the Middle East following the October 7th attacks.
In a time of increasing misinformation and divisive narratives, the event underscored the importance of informed dialogue and critical engagement in addressing pressing geopolitical issues.
The conversation took a gripping turn when an audience member posed a pointed question: "Where is the Jewish community going wrong in its fight against rising antisemitism?". “You must truly believe that Israel belongs to you, as granted by God. If you continue to be apologetic about your right to Israel, your enemies will continue to see Israel as a colonial venture,” Said Mr Husain.
Amjad Taha addressed the need for urgent educational reform in Gaza and The West Bank / Judea and Samaria, where Palestinian children are still being taught to hate Jews. “If this continues, there will be another October 7th. Changing this culture of hatred is more critical than discussions about a two-state solution,” he stated, emphasising the long-term impact of education on shaping the region’s future.
Ed Husain offered another thought-provoking perspective on Israel’s right to exist. “It is a mistake to focus solely on the Holocaust as the reason for Israel’s existence—it’s not. It comes from ancient history, from the Bible, and from God, our shared God. This recognition is the starting point and the fundamental condition for any discussion on Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state,” he asserted, highlighting the deep historical and spiritual roots of Jewish self-determination.
The overwhelming turnout and engagement from the community reinforced the urgency of fostering open and honest conversations about Israel and the Middle East.
“Our mission at StandWithUs UK is to educate, empower, and inspire individuals with the knowledge and tools to stand up for Israel and combat antisemitism,” said Rene Anisfeld, StandWithUs UK chair, in her closing remarks. “My generation will be okay. I’m worried for our kids and grandkids.”
About StandWithUs UK:
StandWithUs is an international, non-profit and non-partisan Israel education organisation that works to inspire and educate people of all ages about Israel, as well as challenge misinformation and fight against antisemitism. Founded in 2010, StandWithUs UK has become a recognised support system and leading resource for students on UK campuses. We empower and energise students and communities with leadership training and educational programmes on both school and university campuses. StandWithUs informs through social media, printed materials, digital platforms, film and newsletters. The StandWithUs flagship Emerson Fellowship programme seeks to raise students into future leaders, equipped to stand strong in the face of antisemitism and anti-Zionism. We believe in the right of the Jewish People to self-determination in their historic homeland of Israel. We educate the facts in an unbiased and holistic manner, with an open mind, reflecting on views from all sides of the political, social and humanitarian spectrum whilst promoting peace. StandWithUs UK believe the current discourse surrounding Israel on campus all too often crosses the line between legitimate criticism of Israel’s policies and the dangerous, mainstream, antisemitic rhetoric which stands contrary to the IHRA definition of antisemitism. We work to educate on that distinction, encourage civil discourse on legitimate criticism of Israel, and to fight antisemitism wherever it emerges.
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