Since October 7, the world has witnessed an alarming resurgence of antisemitism. Across university campuses, media outlets, social networks and public institutions, hostility towards Israel has too often evolved into hostility towards Jews themselves.
Governments have spoken out. Jewish organisations have documented incidents. Community leaders have shown remarkable resilience.
Yet one uncomfortable question remains:
Why do those who spread antisemitism so rarely face meaningful consequences?
The challenge before us is no longer one of awareness. The evidence is overwhelming. Reports are written. Statistics are published. Conferences are held.
But awareness alone has not been enough.
The time has come to complement education and advocacy with something equally important: accountability.
This conviction lies behind a new initiative currently being developed by the Fisher Foundation.
Our vision is straightforward yet ambitious: to establish an international civil platform capable of identifying, documenting and responding professionally to serious manifestations of antisemitism and delegitimisation of Israel through lawful, responsible and coordinated civic action.
This is not about policing opinions or restricting freedom of expression.
It is about ensuring that when public figures, institutions or influential organisations cross the line into incitement, antisemitism or deliberate disinformation, there exists a credible and professional mechanism capable of responding.
Such responses may include engagement with employers, professional bodies, universities, regulators, media organisations or legal experts, depending on the circumstances and within the framework of local law.
Our objective is not confrontation for its own sake.
Our objective is responsibility.
History teaches us that hatred flourishes where there are no consequences.
Professional accountability has transformed standards in business, finance, medicine and public life.
It can also strengthen the global fight against antisemitism.
To achieve this, we are seeking to build an international coalition of legal professionals, researchers, strategic partners, Jewish organisations and civil society leaders who share one belief:
That democratic societies must defend freedom of speech while refusing to normalise hatred.
The United Kingdom has long stood at the forefront of defending democratic values, the rule of law and civil society.
For that reason, we believe British philanthropy and British leadership can play a pivotal role in establishing this initiative.
This is not an Israeli project.
It is not a political project.
It is an international civic initiative dedicated to protecting democratic discourse and confronting one of the oldest forms of hatred through modern, responsible and lawful means.
Every generation is asked what it did when antisemitism evolved into something larger than isolated prejudice.
Our generation has an opportunity to answer differently.
Not only by speaking.
But by building institutions capable of making a lasting difference.