Glasgow Friends of Israel

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Glasgow-based pro-Israel advocacy group supporting Israel's right to self-determination and countering antisemitism


Glasgow Friends of Israel
Type Advocacy group
Logo GFI.jpg
Founded
Founder(s)
Dissolved
Registration ID
Status
Headquarters Glasgow, Scotland
Location
Area served
Services
Registration
Key people
Website Facebook
Remarks


Glasgow Friends of Israel (GFI) says it 'is a grassroots organisation whose aim is to support the right of the state of Israel to democratic self-determination, counter anti-Semitism and advocate positively for truth, justice and peace.'

The Facebook page for GFOI was set up on 20 May 2015.[1]

Established in 2015, it says it aims to support Israel's right to democratic self-determination, counter antisemitism, and advocate for truth, justice, and peace.[2][3]

The group maintains a weekly information stall on Buchanan Street in central Glasgow and has organised conferences featuring speakers on Middle East issues.[3] According to disclosures in its 2025 report the Confederation of Friends of Israel in Scotland is the parent organisation of GFI and spent more than half its expenditure on the GFI conference in that year.[4] COFIS also states that it is parent of Highland Friends of Israel. COFIS is registered in Scotland as a charity.

History

Glasgow Friends of Israel was founded in 2015 following the 2014 Gaza War amid increased anti-Israel rhetoric in UK media.[5] Sammy Stein and Vicci Stein are identified as founders.[6]

It operates as part of the broader Confederation of Friends of Israel Scotland.[7]

People

Leadership

Sammy Stein has served as Chairperson since 2016 and is the group's primary public spokesperson.[8]

Executive Leadership 2017-2026
Role Name
Chairperson Sammy Stein
Vice-Chair Jean Brannigan
Treasurer Walter Hecht

Tom Stein is a long-term volunteer activist who regularly staffs the street stalls.[3]

[9][10]

Activities

Glasgow Friends of Israel runs a regular pro-peace advocacy stall on Buchanan Street, engaging the public on the Israel-Palestine conflict.[11]

The group held its 10-year anniversary conference in 2025, featuring speakers including David Collier and others.[6]

Glasgow rally against allegedly rising Scottish antisemitism

On 8 March 2024, several hundred people attended a rally in Glasgow against alleged rising Scottish antisemitism, organised by Rev Hayley Ace and husband Rev Tim Gutmann of Christian Action Against Antisemitism, supported by Glasgow Friends of Israel.[12]

Speakers included Holocaust survivor Henry Schachter of Bournemouth, National Jewish Assembly chairman Gary Mond and his wife Robyn Mond, Timothy Lovat (president of Glasgow Jewish Representative Council and vice-chairman of Scottish Council of Jewish Communities), and Sammy Stein (chairman of Glasgow Friends of Israel), who read a message from Rabbi Moshe Rubin. Other participants included Vicci Stein, Christians and Jews from across Scotland, members of the Edinburgh Jewish community, and performers Howard Brodie and Matthew Todd.[12]

Rev Tim Gutmann stated: “We want you to know that this isn’t your battle alone. We want to stand here for you... We will not be silent when antisemitism is increasing on the streets of the UK and in Glasgow.” Rev Hayley Ace described 7 October as “beyond evil” and noted global Christian support. Henry Schachter shared his family’s Auschwitz and Bergen-Belsen experiences. Sammy Stein addressed anti-Zionism as antisemitism. Gary Mond highlighted community fears and gratitude to Christian allies. Dunoon Pastor Norman Wright spoke of his time in Israel. Vicci Stein described the event as “wonderful” and “moving”.[12]

Controversies

In 2019, Glasgow Friends of Israel publicly disassociated itself from Max Dunbar, a former British National Party official photographed at their stall.[13]

Members including Edward Sutherland and Matthew Berlow have been involved in public disputes and regulatory proceedings related to pro-Israel advocacy.[14]

External links

See also

Contact

  • Facebook: www.facebook.com/glasgowfoi

Notes

  1. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/glasgowfoi/about_profile_transparency
  2. ↑ Jewish Glasgow, Glasgow Friends of Israel profile JewishGlasgow.org, accessed 2026.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 JNS, Pro-peace Scots battle anti-Israel narratives JNS, 2024.
  4. ↑ https://oscr-docs.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/cofis-trustees-report-and-accounts-2024-25-redacted-559ae8ad-8812-f111-8342-7c1e5265c7f9.pdf
  5. ↑ SJAC, Speaker Event with Sammy Stein SJAC.org.uk, 2025.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Leah Benoz, Peace Inside, Hate Outside The Times of Israel, 13 May 2025.
  7. ↑ Scottish PSC, Who are Glasgow Friends of Israel? ScottishPSC.org.uk, accessed 2026.
  8. ↑ Glasgow Jewish Representative Council, Board Members JewishGlasgow.org, accessed 2026.
  9. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20250330165647/https://www.jewishglasgow.org/glasgow-friends-of-israel/
  10. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20170626041653/http://www.jewishglasgow.org/glasgow-friends-of-israel/
  11. ↑ Glasgow Friends of Israel, Facebook page Facebook.com, accessed 2026.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 Jewish Telegraph, Hundreds join rally against rising Scottish antisemitism Jewish Telegraph, 8 March 2024.
  13. ↑ The Ferret, Pro-Israel group 'disassociates' itself from former BNP member TheFerret.scot, 24 January 2019.
  14. ↑ Asa Winstanley, Pro-Israel lawyer faked graffiti attack Electronic Intifada, 8 September 2020.
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