200 celebrities sign open letter calling for release of Palestinian terrorist

Gary Lineker, Benedict Cumberbatch, Sir Ian McKellen and Delia Smith among those calling for the release of Marwan Barghouti from Israeli prison

By JN Reporter December 4, 2025, 1:32 pm

Marwan Barghouti being arrested in 2002 (IDF Spokesperson's Unit)

More than 200 celebrities, including Benedict Cumberbatch, Stephen Fry, Paul Simon and Sir Ian McKellen, have signed an open letter calling for the release of a Palestinian political leader and convicted terrorist from an Israeli prison.

The letter, whose signatories also included Gary Lineker, Phillip Pullman, Delia Smith and Sir Richard Branson, said: “We express our grave concern at the continuing imprisonment of Marwan Barghouti, his violent mistreatment and denial of legal rights whilst imprisoned. We call upon the United Nations and the governments of the world to actively seek the release of Marwan Barghouti from Israeli prison.”

Barghouti has regularly led opinion polls when Palestinians have been asked who they would vote for in a Presidential election. A member of Fatah since his teens, he was expelled from the West Bank between 1987 and 1994, when he returned to Ramallah and became a leading figure in Palestinian political circles.

Barghouti was arrested in 2002, and in 2004 was found guilty of five counts of murder, as well as a count of attempted murder. Israel charged that Barghouti was a co-founder and leader of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, the terrorist group aligned with Fatah which carried out dozens of terror attacks against civilians. Publicly, Barghouti had called for attacks on Israeli soldiers and Israelis living in both Gaza and the West Bank, but not Israeli civilians elsewhere. He refused to present any defence against the charges against him, maintaining that the trial and court were illegitimate. Many Palestinians, as well as international parliamentary and legal sympathisers with the Palestinian cause, have claimed the charges against Barghouti were a sham.

Israel has repeatedly refused to countenance Barghouti’s release, with reports that Mahmoud Abbas, the President of the Palestinian Authority, has opposed freeing Barghouti, knowing that this would present a major challenge to his authority. There has not been an election for President of the Palestinian Authority since 2005, when Abbas won after the imprisoned Barghouti was persuaded by those close to him to withdraw his candidacy.

Simcha LaYeled: Turning pain into a smile

The Israeli organisation giving hope to children with physical disabilities

By Louisa Walters November 11, 2025, 3:57 pm

Louisa Walters is Features Editor at the Jewish News and specialises in food and travel writing

In Israel, thousands of children and teenagers wake up each morning to challenges most of us can scarcely imagine: complex medical treatments, limited mobility and growing dependence on their families and caregivers.

For more than two decades, Simcha LaYeled (Joy for the Child) has been a source of light and connection for these children. The Israeli nonprofit organisation supports children and teens living with physical disabilities but without cognitive impairment. Its mission is simple: to restore joy, friendship, confidence and a belief in their own potential – things that illness or limitations too often take away.

“Every child deserves to grow up with a sense of value, connection and belonging,” says Eli Kellerman, CEO of Simcha LaYeled. “We are here to make sure that no child has to face life’s challenges alone.”

A unique circle of support

Simcha LaYeled’s holistic model of care integrates social, emotional and practical support. The organisation offers long-term one-on-one mentoring, connecting each child with a dedicated volunteer who becomes a friend, companion and role model, creating a consistent anchor in the child’s life.

Simcha LaYeled runs social groups and enrichment activities throughout Israel, visits more than 51 paediatric hospital wards, and organises fully accessible summer and winter camps that enable children to experience independence, adventure and friendship in an inclusive environment.

The organisation also offers emotional and social frameworks for parents and siblings, along with a Next Step program that helps graduates transition to adulthood with skills for employment and community engagement.

Each year, more than 26,000 children and family members benefit directly from Simcha LaYeled’s activities. This far-reaching network is powered by over 1,000 trained volunteers, many of them teenagers.

Simcha LaYeled works in an ongoing and meaningful partnership with the Jewish National Fund (JNF) and is proud to stand together.

Standing strong in times of crisis

“Our community doesn’t stop when crisis hits,” says Kellerman. “If anything, it grows stronger.”

In the aftermath of October 7, families of children with disabilities faced intensified hardship: sudden relocations, repeated hospitalisations, loss of medical access and heightened anxiety. Simcha LaYeled swiftly evacuated families to safe and accessible areas, provided tailored psychological and therapeutic support, created alternative recreational programs for displaced children and expanded its mentoring network.

This rapid response demonstrated not only operational efficiency but the depth of the organisation’s communal fabric; volunteers, professionals, and donors mobilised overnight.

A night of unity and hope in London

On 7 December there is a special gala evening in London dedicated to supporting the children of Simcha LaYeled.

The evening promises inspiration and entertainment in equal measure:
A live performance by international mentalist Lior Suchard
Hosting by beloved actress and comedian Shani Cohen
A fully kosher community reception, networking and first-hand stories from the organisation’s work in Israel

All proceeds will directly support the organisation’s therapeutic programs, mentorship initiatives and family assistance projects. More than a fundraiser, this event is a bridge connecting compassion across continents. It will be an opportunity to meet the leaders and volunteers who turn the idea of kindness into a daily reality for children who refuse to be defined by their limitations.

How to take part

If you wish to support this very special evening, a minimum donation of £250 will cover the cost of one ticket. Once your donation has been made you will be contacted with further details. To donate please visit https://www.jgive.com/new/en/gbp/donation-targets/157472. Jewish News is the proud partner for this event.

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Emma Barnett clashes with Reform deputy leader over dismissal of Farage antisemitism allegations

Richard Tice was asked about the allegations during an interview with the Jewish Radio 4 Today presenter

By Lee Harpin December 4, 2025, 12:54 pm

Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor

Emma Barnett on Radio 4 Today

Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice has dismissed allegations that Nigel Farage made antisemitic comments as “made-up twaddle” during a heated exchange with presenter Emma Barnett on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.

The claims were made by BAFTA-winning Jewish director Peter Ettedgui, who said he was subjected to taunts of “Hitler was right” while at school with Farage at Dulwich College.

Tice accused Ettedgui of having a “politically biased motive” and said the BBC had already been told Farage’s side of the story, questioning why the issue was being raised again.

Barnett noted that around 20 contemporaries had backed similar claims, as reported by the Guardian, and asked Tice if saying “Hitler was right” to a Jewish person constituted “direct racial abuse.”

Tice replied, “Yes, I do, and I can’t believe anybody would have said that,” reiterating his view that the allegations were fabricated by those opposed to Farage’s political ambitions.

Richard Tice

Barnett corrected Tice, pointing out that Ettedgui had made the same claims in 2013 to another journalist and highlighted Ettedgui’s family history as refugees from Nazi Germany.

She pressed Tice on whether calling a Jewish person “gas chambers” with a hiss could be considered “banter,” as alleged.

Tice responded by directly accusing Ettedgui of lying and insisted the accusations were part of a politically motivated campaign against Reform UK.

He also claimed, “no one has stood up against antisemitism more than Nigel and I,” citing their opposition to pro-Palestinian protests after Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel.

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