UK-Israel ties to to be celebrated with new awards scheme

Relations between Britain and Israel and those at the forefront of enhancing them will be celebrated at Magen David Adom UK’s Bridge to Israel Awards, media partnered by Jewish News. 

The inaugural ceremony will take place on 27 April in central London with awards presented in 13 categories including corporate impact, community organising, culture & the Arts and Philanthropy. Additionally, recognising MDA’s role in the Red Cross movement, there will be a Red Shield Award recognising humanitarian services.

The first of this year’s honours – announced at MDA UK’s annual campaign dinner in November 2025 – was presented to Nivi Feldman, the lead for the UK Hostages Families Forum, in recognising her efforts in raising the plight of Israel’s captives over the past two years.

The judging panel, chaired by former criminal barrister and TV personality Robert Rinder, will include MDA UK chair Russell Jacobs, Prism the Gift charitable fund co-founder Anna Josse, former BICOM chair and businessman Edward Misrahi and philanthropist Elizabeth Wigoder.

There will also be a public vote open for the MDA UK social media influencer Award.

MDA UK’s chief executive Daniel Burger said: “Through its life-saving mission and workforce, MDA is a truly extraordinary example of bridge building between Jewish, Christian, Muslim and Druze communities in Israel. Reflecting this, the MDA UK Bridge to Israel Awards will celebrate those building bridges between the UK and Israel – not least through the amazing work of MDA itself and the generosity of its supporters in the UK.”

He added that the Awards are “intended to connect MDA not only to its existing network of supporters here but also to a wider UK community whose advocacy and efforts mirror that of MDA. When many want to build division between the UK and Israel, celebrating the shared values and the closest of ties between our two countries – on so many levels – is vital

“It is through new initiatives such as these Awards that we can best honour the vital humanitarian work of MDA, support its stations in Israel and its first responders to save lives each day and continue to showcase MDA as the very best of Israel.”

Readers of the Jewish News, the event’s media partner, will be able to send in their own nominations for the Community Organiser category. Nominations are now open open for UK grassroots activists who have stood up to be counted, helped to fight Israel’s corner since 7 October and worked to build strong relationships between the two countries.

Applications close: 16:00 | Friday 13 March 2026

• Nominate for the Community Organiser category at mdauk.org/bridgetoisrael