The unbreakable bond between Israel and the Jewish people is not symbolic, it is deep-rooted. When you feel threatened here, it resonates deeply in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and Haifa. You are not alone
September 22, 2025 13:30
As the Jewish New Year begins, I find myself thinking not only of my own family in Israel and the diaspora, but of Jewish families here in Britain and across the world. We gather, as Jews always have, around familiar traditions that connect us wherever we are. Yet this year, many of us approach the holiday with mixed feelings: pride in our heritage, but also concern for our safety and for the future.
The pain of the horrific 7/10 terror attack continues to reverberate through every Jewish household. Nearly two years later, 48 hostages still remain captive at the hands of Palestinian Hamas terrorists in Gaza, and their absence remains an open wound. Israel will not rest until they are home, nor will we abandon our responsibility to protect our people from those who openly declare their intention to destroy us.
But I also know that while Israel fights this battle, Jewish communities outside of Israel have been drawn into it in painful ways. Over the past year, you here in Britain have faced a surge of antisemitism that is shocking and deeply personal. I have heard from parents who hesitate to let their children wear a kippah in public, from students who feel they must hide their Jewish identity on campus, from community members who worry each time they walk into synagogue. I know that some of you feel a sense of isolation in a country you have long regarded as home.
I want you to hear this directly: Israel sees you. We understand your fears, we share your concerns, and we stand with you. The unbreakable bond between Israel and the Jewish people is not symbolic, it is deep-rooted. When you feel threatened here, it resonates deeply in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and Haifa. You are not alone.
As the President of Israel recently reminded us at the UJIA conference: we are one people. Wherever Jews are in the world, we are bound by one history, one heritage, one destiny, and one motherland. What happens to one part of our people affects us all. This is not simply rhetoric, it is the essence of our shared identity.
In recent months, the debate in Britain over recognition of a Palestinian state has been unsettling. Let me be clear: Israelis want peace. We want our children to grow up without sirens, rockets, and terror. But peace cannot be achieved by political gestures that ignore reality. A Palestinian state without legitimate and responsible leadership is a setback for peace.
The Palestinian Authority lacks credibility, is corrupt, undemocratic, and still pays Palestinians for every Jew they murder under its ‘Pay for Slay’ policy. Hamas continues to pursue terror, still holding hostages in defiance of every international norm. To reward such actors with recognition sends a message to all groups worldwide who wish us harm and disagree with our western way of life, that violence pays. That is not the path to reconciliation, peace and stability.
Britain and Israel share a long and mutual friendship, built on shared values and respect. Friends must be honest with one another. And honesty requires us to say that unilateral steps will not resolve this conflict, they will only make peace more distant. The only way forward is dialogue, and a mutual commitment to coexistence – and for Hamas to release all the hostages.
Rosh Hashanah is a time to reflect on the past year and to look ahead with hope. This coming year, the challenges before us are great, but so is our resilience. The Jewish story has never been one of ease. For thousands of years, through exile, persecution, and hatred, our people have faced trials greater than what any people should bear. And yet, we are still here. We have always found the strength to begin again. That same spirit lives in Israel today, and it lives in Jewish communities everywhere – including right here in Britain.
To the Jewish community in Britain, I say this: your courage inspires us, your resilience strengthens us, and Israel will always be with you. To the people of the United Kingdom, I extend my warmest wishes for a Shana Tova, a coming year of safety, strength, and renewed hope.
Daniela Grudsky Ekstein is is the Chargé d'Affaires of the State of Israel in the UK
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