A heated confrontation unfolded at the launch of a Jewish organization within Reform UK, with Nigel Farage facing intense heckling from Jewish activists. The activists accused Farage and his party of exploiting the group to mask their alleged persecution of other minority groups.
Farage, speaking at the inaugural event of the Reform Jewish Alliance (RJA), claimed it would aid the party in targeting several parliamentary seats. However, the event took a dramatic turn when activists interrupted his speech, charging him with promoting policies that would have denied entry to Jewish refugees in the past.
One activist, Carla Bloom, shared her family's personal struggle against the far right in the 1930s, stating, "My mother's fight against Mosley's fascists in Cable Street was not for this." Farage, addressing the audience at London's Central Synagogue, emphasized the importance of "Judeo-Christian principles" in Britain's accomplishments.
The event was sparked by Farage's encounter with the family of Emily Damari, a British hostage held by Hamas during their attack on Israel in 2023. Farage claimed the lack of a dedicated campaign for her release as a reason for forming the organization.
The hecklers, from the group Na'amod, challenged Farage's integrity and supported claims by his former schoolmates from Dulwich College, who accused him of antisemitic remarks. Farage has vehemently denied allegations of antisemitism and racism.
Josh Cohen, a 32-year-old attendee, expressed disgust at the event's portrayal of Jews as "model immigrants," believing it to be a precursor to targeting other minorities. He stated, "We stand against antisemitism, but Reform poses a threat to Muslims, immigrants, and asylum seekers. Our history compels us to speak out." Na'amod identifies as a movement of British Jews advocating for an end to the community's support for Israel's occupation.
Outside the event, members of the Jewish Bloc for Palestine protested with placards displaying alleged antisemitic comments made by Farage to Jewish students at Dulwich College. Amy Kershenbaum, 58, echoed the sentiments of many, saying, "Reform's policies would have barred our ancestors from finding refuge." She supported the allegations made by Dulwich alumni, expressing offense at Farage's dismissal of their claims.
Farage has dismissed the accusations of racist and antisemitic bullying during his time at Dulwich College as fabricated, attributing them to political motives. Gary Mond, a former senior vice-president at the Board of Deputies, the largest British Jewish representative body, is among the leaders of the RJA. He resigned from the organization in 2022.
Research indicates a growing political divide among British Jews, with increasing support for the Greens and Reform. Reform's popularity among British Jews has surged, though it remains lower than its broader appeal to the electorate.
Alan Mendoza, executive director of the Henry Jackson Society and a former Conservative councillor who now advises Reform on global affairs, introduced Farage at the event. Mendoza defended Farage against antisemitism allegations, stating, "There is no antisemitism in this man." However, he also suggested that recent immigrants were not embracing British values, a comment that could spark debate.
