Journalist who infiltrated Iranian regime is new director of We Believe In Israel
Grassroots Israel advocacy group appoints former undercover reporter Catherine Perez-Shakdam to succeed Luke Akehurst
Pro-Israel group ‘We Believe in Israel’ has appointed a French former United Nations Security Council consultant, journalist, and senior think-tank analyst. as its next Director.
Catherine Perez-Shakdam succeeds Luke Akehurst who was recently elected as the MP for Durham North.
James Burchell, Chair of We Believe in Israel said: “We are so excited to welcome Catherine to our team. Having undergone a period of unprecedented challenge since 7th October, we look forward to her beginning her tenure and building on Luke Akehurst’s excellent work. We thank Luke for all he has done for us as our first Director, and wish him well in his new role.”
Incoming Director Perez-Shakdam said: “I am honoured to have been selected as Luke’s successor, and intend to build on his legacy in providing a united front that brings together all the existing supporters of Israel in the UK, facilitate and support a grassroots network of activists, and help create a fair and balanced political environment for Israel in the UK.
“We will continue to lobby MPs, and work with a range of communal partners and stakeholders to achieve our aims. I intend to prioritise our efforts to secure the proscription of the IRGC, curtail Tehran’s influence in the UK, and engage with social media to reduce anti-Israel delegitimisation.
“I also hope to apply a more data-driven approach to our campaign efforts, utilising emerging technologies to refine our output and maximise impact.”
Shakdam was born into a secular Jewish family and following her marriage to a Muslim from Yemen, converted first to Sunni and then Shia Islam. Working as an undercover journalist, she spent a decade infiltrating the highest echelons of the Islamic Republic in Iran. Following her divorce, in 2014, she now identifies as a Jew.
We Believe in Israel was created after two major pro-Israel conferences in London, the first in 2011 and the second in 2015.
Keep community journalism free.
Jewish News is free for everyone. No paywall. No barriers. Just trusted journalism for anyone who wants to stay connected to Jewish life in Britain.
If you value that, please support us.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Every day, we report on the issues that matter to our community. We celebrate achievements, support charities, challenge antisemitism and ensure Jewish voices are heard more widely.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help us continue to:
- Report on the stories shaping Jewish life in the UK and beyond
- Bring our community together through shared stories, events and campaigns
- Celebrate the people, culture and moments that define our community
- Support organisations doing vital work across Jewish Britain
You can make a one-off donation or become a regular supporter. Every contribution helps keep our journalism free, independent and accessible to all.
If everyone who values Jewish News gave a small amount, it would make a real difference to our future.
