Jewish Activists Disrupt Nigel Farage's Speech at Reform UK Event
Jewish activists have heckled Nigel Farage during the launch event for the Reform Jewish Alliance (RJA), a new members' organisation for Reform UK. The incident occurred on Tuesday night at the Central synagogue in London, where approximately 200 people gathered for the inaugural meeting.
Accusations of Persecution and Historical Parallels
The activists, from the group Na'amod, stood up during Farage's speech and accused Reform UK of planning to use the Jewish Alliance as cover for persecuting other minorities. They argued that under Reform's policies, past Jewish refugees would have been barred from entering the United Kingdom.
Carla Bloom, one of the protesters, referenced her family's history of facing persecution and fighting against far-right movements in the 1930s. She stated emphatically, "My mother didn't fight the Mosley fascists in Cable Street for this."
Farage's Response and Justification for the Alliance
Nigel Farage addressed the event, emphasising that "Judeo-Christian principles" form the foundation of Britain's achievements. He explained that his decision to establish the Reform Jewish Alliance came after meeting the family of Emily Damari, a British woman taken hostage by Hamas during the October 2023 attack on Israel. Farage claimed there had been no effective campaign seeking her release, which motivated him to create the organisation.
The Reform UK leader also revealed that the RJA would help the party target up to 15 parliamentary seats in future elections.
Activists Question Farage's Credibility
The hecklers from Na'amod challenged Farage's credibility, referencing allegations from his former schoolmates at Dulwich College who have accused him of making antisemitic comments. Farage has consistently denied these allegations, calling them "complete made-up fantasies" and suggesting his accusers have "very obvious political motivation."
Josh Cohen, a 32-year-old activist, expressed disgust at hearing Jews described as "model immigrants" during the event. He argued this terminology was designed to pave the way for persecution of other minority groups.
"We are disgusted by antisemitism but we believe Reform are an active threat to the Muslim community and to immigrants and asylum-seeker communities in the UK," Cohen told reporters. "Our own family experience of escaping persecution and our knowledge of Jewish history is instructive, so when they attack immigrants we feel a moral duty to stand up."
Outside Protests and Internal Divisions
Outside the synagogue, activists from the Jewish Bloc for Palestine held placards displaying comments Farage is alleged to have made to Jewish students during his time at Dulwich College. Inside the event, Amy Kershenbaum, 58, voiced concerns that many Jewish people would not be in Britain today if Reform's policies had been in place when their ancestors sought refuge.
Kershenbaum added, "I believe the reports and the victims and I am profoundly offended that he ridiculed them. I am offended that parts of the Jewish community could want to launder and whitewash his politics."
Political Context and Support for Reform UK
The RJA launch comes as research indicates a growing political divide among British Jews, with support increasing for both the Green Party and Reform UK. Support for Reform among British Jews has risen from 3% in August 2024 to 11% in June 2025, though this increase remains below the party's ratings growth among the wider electorate.
Gary Mond, a former senior vice-president at the Board of Deputies who resigned in 2022, is involved in leading the Reform Jewish Alliance. At the event, Farage was introduced by Alan Mendoza, executive director of the Henry Jackson Society thinktank and a councillor who defected from the Conservatives to become Reform's adviser on global affairs.
Mendoza defended Farage against the allegations, stating, "There is an absolute smear campaign against this man in the press. I can tell you, and all of you know this, there is not an antisemitic bone in this man's body."
In his speech, Mendoza also commented on immigration, saying, "More recent immigrants have not taken on the lesson of British values and try to import their values into the UK."
Na'amod describes itself as a movement of British Jews working to end the community's support for Israel's occupation, highlighting the diverse perspectives within the Jewish community regarding political engagement and social justice issues.
