Bahrani Diplomat, Israeli Ambassador Laud StandWithUs Student Leaders

Our incredible alumni panel, part of our Emerson Fellowship Opening Conference 2022-2023

(London, England -- 7 September 2022) — Tzipi Hotovely, Ambassador of Israel to the United Kingdom paid tribute to the energy and dedication of dozens of student leaders who she hosted at her home and who form the StandWithUs UK Emerson Fellowship for 2022-23. These students joined programme alumni and board members at her residence as they prepare to run dynamic Israel programming during the upcoming academic year.

The Ambassador thanked the StandWithUs UK students - a diverse group, both Jewish and non-Jewish based on universities all across the UK for their dedication and love for Israel. Addressing the audience, the ambassador said, “What makes StandWithUs UK so unique is that you understand the strategic importance of investing in the next generation – in high schools, Sixth Form and on campus.”

The reception was part of the Fellowship's three-day opening conference for the new academic year, which featured guest speakers and professional development sessions, focusing on combating antisemitism and reaching out to a wide audience.

The 2022 conference featured delegation from the newest chapter of the organisation, StandWithUs Netherlands, and included student leaders from across Europe.

StandWithUs UK Chair Lana Saffrin Betesh thanked the Ambassador for kindly hosting the event at her residence. To the students, she said:

“I hope that the wide range of issues addressed at the conference and the limitless opportunities encourage you to explore them further when building your committees, expanding your alliances and planning your campus events. I strongly encourage you to support each other and recommend you try to coordinate activities whenever possible as working as a cohesive team will enable you to achieve even greater success.”

Marking the second anniversary of the Abraham Accords, the students were addressed by Hussain Alam, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of The Kingdom of Bahrain. He discussed coexistence in Bahrain, elaborated on how the peace agreement is thriving and lauded the efforts of StandWithUs to educate the British public about the Abraham Accords.

Other honoured guests at the conference included Trade Envoy, Lord Ian Austin who reflected on combatting antisemitism in the Labour Party, Colonel Richard Kemp and UK-born Michael Dickson, Executive Director of StandWithUs Israel.

ABOUT STANDWITHUS UK

StandWithUs is an international, non-partisan Israel education organisation that inspires and educates people of all ages and backgrounds, challenges misinformation and fights antisemitism.

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.

StandWithUs UK founded in 2010, works closely with SWU Israel and has become a recognised support system and leading resource for students on UK campuses. 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 believes 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."