Prime Minister tells British Jews ‘We stand with you’
Three years after the 7 October Hamas attack on Israel, when 1200 people were killed, the prime minister has issued a statement telling British Jews: “We stand with you”. He outlined the impact of the attacks on Jewish communities across the world and the rise in antisemitism. In Britain, two Jewish men were killed in the attack on Heaton Park synagogue in Manchester, and there have been further attacks on Jewish people and institutions. He said: “I want Britain’s Jewish community to hear this from me directly. We stand with you. Abuse and violence against you, in any form, will not be tolerated. Not on our streets, not online, not in our schools or universities. That’s why we are funding protection for synagogues, schools and community buildings, and why we will come down hard on antisemitism wherever it is found – in classrooms, on campuses and in neighbourhoods. At home, we are committed to protecting our citizens from vile hatred. Abroad, we continue to work towards a two-state solution, with Israelis and Palestinians living side by side in peace and security. An attack on Jewish people in Britain is an attack on all of us. Antisemitism has no place in this country, and we will do everything we can to stamp it out.”
Attacks, threats and harassment of British Jews since 7 October 2023
A feature in The Telegraph says British Jews have faced a sustained rise in antisemitism since 7 October 2023, affecting daily life, schools, universities, the NHS and the arts. The article, by Naomi Greenaway, Deputy Editor, Telegraph Magazine, says the Community Security Trust recorded 1,926 antisemitic incidents in the first six months of 2026, twice pre-October 7 levels. The article details physical attacks, threats and harassment, including Jewish pupils being bullied and students facing abuse on campus. Jewish NHS patients and staff have also reported antisemitism, while Jewish artists say they are being excluded from cultural venues. The report says the Jewish community has experienced support from the public after attacks and quotes leaders urging the government to protect Jews from attack and to tackle the causes and sources of the hate and extremism driving anti-Semitism. Article is here.
Bishop ‘deeply concerned’ at Green vote on Zionism
The Bishop of Chelmsford, Guli Francis-Dehqani, has issued a statement saying she is “deeply concerned” at the Green Party’s motion declaring Zionism to be racism, and by the impact this will have on Jewish communities across the country. She says: “At a time of heightened antisemitism and profound anxiety for British Jews, this will leave many feeling further isolated and unwelcome in our public life. Political parties have a responsibility to ensure that Jewish people can participate fully and without fear of discrimination. I stand alongside Jewish communities who will be deeply hurt by this decision.” The Bishop of Hereford, Richard Jackson, wrote a letter to The Times saying: “Criticising the actions of the Israeli government is entirely legitimate but denying Israel’s right to exist, as the Green Party has done, is not helpful. It emboldens extremism and it contributes to the normalisation of antisemitism. For Jewish people, it feels uncomfortably close to support for Hamas, an organisation that advocated ‘killing the Jews’ in its founding charter.”
CofE safeguarding chair steps down a year into three-year reform programme
The Church of England says Dame Christine Ryan, independent Executive Chair of the Safeguarding Structures Programme Board, is stepping down, one year into a three year programme. In a statement, a spokesperson for the Archbishops’ Council thanked her for directing “a clear vision and much of the detailed design for a new safeguarding structure built on greater independence, accountability, and consistency .. The Programme Board will now continue this important work at pace. It remains on target to meet the key programme milestones for 2026, including launching a standardised complaints process by the end of the year.” In November 2025, the Charity Commission said the CofE was moving too slowly and should implement independent safeguarding structures within 18 months. The House of Survivors, which supports survivors of CofE related abuse, said Dame Christine “was envisaged to be in post for a 3-year initiative overseeing this Board”. It says the statement from the Archbishops Council, “in all likelihood .. hides that she had lack of support.”
Conservative shadow minister says the niqab and burqa are harmful to society
The Conservative shadow justice secretary, Nick Timothy, has described the niqab and burqa as a “ball and chain”, saying face coverings are harmful to Muslim women and wider society. The Times reports that he made the comments while speaking at a Spectator event during the Conservative Party conference. He is quoted saying: “I hate the niqab and the burqa. I’ve said before, when I see a woman wearing that, I see a human being with a ball and chain around her ankle. It is a deliberate choice to cut women off from society, and I think the harm caused by that is not just to the women involved — considerable as that may be — it’s actually harmful to all of us”. Nick Timothy is a former Home Office adviser and Theresa May’s co-chief of staff. Earlier this year he described the organised mass ritual prayer in Trafalgar Square during Ramadan as an act of domination. The Times reports that the Conservative party is said to be considering the merits of a form of “burqa ban”.
Big Church Festival ticket refunds not guaranteed after fatal accident
Ticket holders for Big Church Festival 2026, which was stopped on the first day after a sign fell and killed a pastor, have been told that a refund is not guaranteed. In an email to ticketholders, the organisers said have offered people the option of donating their ticket money or opting for a refund, despite no certainty this can be given. They said the festival, held at Wiston Estate, near Steyning in West Sussex, over the August Bank holiday weekend, cost millions of pounds to stage, and substantial costs were incurred before it was cancelled. Premier Christian News reports that the email says: “Even if all those who bought tickets chose to donate their ticket value, Big Church would face significant financial uncertainty. We know this may be difficult news to hear, but we want to be transparent. We recognise how disappointing this will be, and we are genuinely sorry.”
Televangelist Jim Bakker, whose Christian broadcasting empire collapsed in scandal, dies aged 86
Televangelist Jim Bakker, who built a multimillion-dollar Christian broadcasting empire in the 1970s and 1980s, has died aged 86. He shot to fame with his “PTL club”, presented with his wife Tammy Faye, where he preached a message of optimism, health and wealth, reaching 13 million viewers. Alongside a television ministry he ran the Heritage USA theme park in South Carolina, a Christian version of Disneyland, with a hotel, 2,300 seat church, theatre and main street with Bible themes shops. His appeal for funds brought in millions of dollars and the couple lived an opulent lifestyle. But his career collapsed in 1987 after a sex scandal and revelations about a payoff to church secretary Jessica Hahn. And in 1989, he was convicted of fraud based on his sale of $1,000 “lifetime partnerships” to fund the theme park and he spent four and a half years in jail. Tammy Faye divorced him and he spent the next years in Los Angeles on a Christian mission to the homeless. Then he married again and went back into Christian broadcasting with the “The Jim Bakker Show” based in Missouri which started in 2003. Announcing his death, his wife Lori said “For 66 years, Jim gave his life to preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He was a pioneer of Christian television, but to me, he was my husband, my best friend, and the man I was honored to walk beside”. RNS obituary here
Classic cars take the pilgrim route through north Wales
A pilgrimage with a difference is taking place in north Wales next week, as 20 classic cars line up for a route linking ancient churches, scenic drives and times for reflection. This is the sixth “REVS Pilgrim Tour” and is inspired by the Llwybr Cadfan pilgrimage trail across Meirionnydd and the Llŷn Peninsula. 39 participants, who are people of faith, no faith “and everything in between”, will drive two routes in cars including a 1957 Porsche 356, 1970s MGs, a 1974 Alfa Romeo Giulia, an original Fiat 500, Mercedes sports cars and more recent Morgans with traditional styling. Participants are travelling from across England, from Bury to Brighton and Southampton, with one crew from Talybont in Ceredigion. The tour is organised by John Kiff, who is originally from the Llŷn Peninsula and now lives in Cardiff. He has organised every tour since it began in 2021, drawing on his motorsport and route-planning experience. Local priest Fr Rhun ap Robert, who will be on hand to welcome the pilgrims, said, “You don’t have to arrive on foot to be a pilgrim..I hope the drivers enjoy the roads and the company, but also find something in these churches that stays with them after they’ve driven home.” More about REVS community here
