Critic of Hamas from Gaza family to address Jewish-led London event
Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib will speak at Jewish-led event urging democracy, dignity and a new Palestinian future
A writer and activist from a Gaza family who has emerged as one of the most prominent critics of Hamas within Palestinian society will address a major Jewish-led event in London next week, in what organisers say reflects growing communal support for democracy and political change.
Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib will speak in north-west London on Sunday 18 January, appearing in conversation with the Sunday Times associate editor Josh Glancy, followed by a public Q&A. The event, titled Seek Peace and Pursue It, is being organised by We Democracy in collaboration with Jewish News and a broad coalition of Jewish and Israeli communal organisations.
Alkhatib, who was born in Saudi Arabia to a Gaza family and spent part of his childhood in Gaza, has become known for his rejection of both Hamas rule and Israel’s current political leadership. He argues that Hamas’s ideology, governance and use of violence have inflicted profound harm on Palestinian society and undermined the Palestinian national cause, while also condemning Israel’s military campaign and the policies of its far-right government.
Ahead of the event, Alkhatib said: ‘It’s so important to be exposed to a variety of points of view, including those that make you feel uncomfortable, so I’m delighted to be coming to London to share my message of holding complex, multiple truths, humanising the ongoing suffering of the Palestinian people of Gaza, while also holding space for the hardships that many in the Jewish diaspora community have faced since 7 October for simply existing and being.”
The evening will open with an introduction from Rabbi Charley Baginsky, co-lead of the Movement for Progressive Judaism. It follows a rally held last year by many of the same organisers to mark 30 years since the assassination of Israeli prime minister Yitzhak Rabin, whose commitment to peace and democracy they say stands in sharp contrast to Israel’s current political direction.
Supporting organisers and contributors include leaders from Masorti Judaism, the Board of Deputies of British Jews, the Union of Jewish Students, JW3 and the Movement for Progressive Judaism, among others. Organisers say the gathering reflects a desire within the Jewish community to support Israel while also speaking openly about the need for democratic values, accountability and a change of course.
The event is being presented as part of a wider effort to mobilise what organisers describe as a silent majority of British Jews who reject both Hamas extremism and hardline Israeli policies, and who believe meaningful peace will require dialogue, moral clarity and political courage.
A limited number of tickets for the 7pm event on Sunday 18 January remain available here.
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