‘My door is always open’, says new We Believe In Israel director

UK advocacy network We Believe In Israel has appointed Ido Dimri, former chief of staff to Israel’s Minister for Diaspora Affairs and Combatting Antisemitism, as its new executive director.

Dimri, based in Tel Aviv, succeeds Catherine Perez-Shakdam after her two years in post.

Hailing “his experience building relationships with Jewish communities around the world and with non-Jewish friends of Israel”, organisation chairman Simon Tobelem commented that Dimri’s appointment “represents not a break with the past, but the beginning of the next chapter”.

He praised Perez-Shakdam for having led the organisation “during one of the most challenging periods in Israel’s modern history. When Catherine joined us, none of us could have imagined the events that would unfold only a few months later. 7 October transformed not only Israel, but also the environment in which every pro-Israel organisation had to operate.”

She will continue to “collaborate with We Believe in Israel through policy briefings and strategic analysis, bringing her unique insight into developments in the Middle East and their implications for the United Kingdom, the Jewish community and beyond.”

Speaking to Jewish News, Dimri said his appointment at “such an important time for both Israel and the Jewish community” is a “great honour”.

He added: “The events of 7 October deeply affected the community where I was raised, (Moshav Ma’agalim) making this mission profoundly personal to me.”

His military service, where he served as an instructor training soldiers from the IDF’s commando units, together with his work at Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, provided “first-hand insight into the significant challenges Israel faces on the international stage and reinforced my belief in the vital role that organisations like We Believe in Israel play in strengthening Israel’s standing, building meaningful partnerships, and combating antisemitism.”

His vision is to make We Believe in Israel “a home for everyone who cares about Israel” with plans to “expand our grassroots movement, engage the next generation, strengthen partnerships with the Jewish community and friends of Israel, and ensure that Israel’s voice is heard clearly, confidently and effectively across the United Kingdom.”

Encouraging members of the community to get in touch, Dimri stressed that “My door is always open, and I warmly invite anyone who shares our commitment to Israel to bring forward ideas and initiatives. Together, we can build a stronger, more united and more influential movement in support of Israel.

We Believe in Israel’s stated mission is “to impress on all people that Israel has an undeniable and legitimate right to exist and thrive”. The organisation merged with the National Jewish Assembly in January 2026 in a bid to “increase operational effectiveness and advocacy impact”.