We are a group of Jews in Britain from diverse backgrounds, occupations and affiliations who have in common a strong commitment to social justice and universal human rights. We come together in the belief that the broad spectrum of opinion among the Jewish population of this country is not reflected by those institutions which claim authority to represent the Jewish community as a whole. We further believe that individuals and groups within all communities should feel free to express their views on any issue of public concern without incurring accusations of disloyalty.

In a recent essay published by the American Jewish Committee, reflecting widely shared attitudes, Jews who criticised Israel and its policies were accused of stirring anti-Semitism. The executive director of the committee said "those who oppose Israel's basic right to exist, whether Jew or gentile, must be confronted".

After the first of MPACUK's meeting in the city of Leeds, it is quite amazing how the biggest student newspaper 'Leeds Student' has produced an article about MPACUK headed "One of the most evil public faces of Islam" arrives in Leeds. Well isn't that a welcome? Considering Ben Schofield, editor of the paper, promises "a fair representation of views " and "with no political standpoint ", it seems to me that any passing reader could catch an eyeful of the emotive heading and pass an easy judgement.

In recent days the unremitting, murderous brutality of the Israeli occupation has been eclipsed by the carnage in Gaza as dozens of Palestinians have been killed in what is commonly referred to as "interfactional fighting" between forces loyal to Palestinian Authority chairman Mahmoud Abbas and his Fatah faction on the one hand, and the Hamas-led government on the other.

Migrants fleeing persecution and poverty settled with their children in the East End of London. As believers in one God they were devoted to their holy book, which contained strict religious laws, harsh penalties and gender inequality. Some of them established separate religious courts. The men wore dark clothes and had long beards; some women covered their hair.

Police investigating the alleged plot to abduct and behead a Muslim soldier expressed growing anger yesterday at a series of leaks and briefings which they say are hampering their inquiry. Whitehall officials briefed journalists early on Wednesday before all of the suspects had been found, with the result that lurid details of the alleged plot were broadcast while one suspect remained at large.

Two disturbing events, one in Israel and one in Canada, occurred in the first month of the seventh year of the twenty-first century. Both carry a frightening message: "it's all right to discriminate against Muslims."The first event was a quotation in a Jerusalem Post article saying, "Islam could soon be the dominant force in Europe." It was attributed to an American professor who turns out to be none other than the well-known Bernard Lewis.

I like my mosque, and I always will, but the committee members? Hmm, let’s just say I’d rather get beaten by a Bata sandal than mingle with them.  But why, I hear you ask (or at least I hope you are asking), why do I not like the committee members?  Well let me tell you a little story… 

The shadowy outlines of a new US strategy towards Iran are exercising diplomats and experts around the Middle East and in the West. The US says Iranian personnel are training and arming anti-US forces inside Iraq, and it will not hesitate to kill them. It is sending a second aircraft carrier to the Gulf, doubling its force projection there. It is calling on Europeans to tighten sanctions on Iran until Tehran suspends its uranium enrichment programme.