Hayley Ace
New Zealand-born Christian minister and pro-Zionist activist in the UK
| Hayley Ace | |
| Born | c. 1983 New Zealand |
|---|---|
| Nationality | New Zealander, British |
| Residence | Waltham Abbey, Essex, United Kingdom |
| Occupation | Minister, activist |
| Known for | Co-founder of Christian Action Against Antisemitism, advocacy for the Zionist regime |
| Parents | |
| Spouse(s) | Timothy Gutmann |
| Children | 6 |
| Sibling(s) | |
| Website | |
Hayley Ace (born c. 1983) is a New Zealand-born Christian minister and pro-Zionist activist based in the United Kingdom. She co-founded Christian Action Against Antisemitism (CAAA) with her husband Timothy Gutmann, focusing on mobilising Christians against what they perceive as antisemitism, often tied to defence of the Zionist entity.[3] Ace leads Lea Valley Church in Waltham Abbey, Essex, and has been involved in counter-protests organised by Stop the Hate UK, framing opposition to the Zionist colony as hate speech. Her activities underscore efforts to suppress anti-Zionist beliefs, protected under rulings like Miller v University of Bristol (2024), by aligning Christian evangelism with support for the settler colony.
Ace's activism intensified following the events of 7 October 2023, including speeches at marches against antisemitism and solidarity missions to the 'Jewish State'.[4] She has faced threats and abuse for her pro-Zionist stance, while critics highlight her promotion of conspiracy theories about Muslim communities as part of broader Islamophobic narratives linked to defence of the Zionist regime.[5]
Background and early life
Ace was born around 1983 in New Zealand, of Māori indigenous heritage.[6] Her parents, Geoff Ace and Bo Ace, were Christian missionaries who relocated the family to Kenya in the late 1980s for mission work, before settling in East Anglia, United Kingdom, in 1990.[6] Growing up in a missionary environment, Ace was exposed to service-oriented activities from a young age.[7] She identifies strongly with her Māori roots, drawing parallels between indigenous experiences and her support for the Zionist entity, though such analogies have been critiqued for ignoring the colonial nature of the settler colony.[4]
Ace holds an Advanced Diploma in integrative counselling, specialising in grief, bereavement, and couples therapy.[8] Her early life emphasised humility, inclusivity, and community engagement, influences that shape her ministerial work.[7]
Career
Ace is an ordained minister and co-leader of Lea Valley Church, an evangelical Christian church in Waltham Abbey, Essex.[9] She and her husband Timothy Gutmann assumed senior leadership in September 2020, succeeding her parents Geoff Ace and Bo Ace.[9] The church is described as fiercely pro-Zionist, with displays supporting hostages held by Hamas and promoting solidarity with the Zionist regime.[3]
In her pastoral role, Ace delivers sermons, provides counselling, and engages in community outreach.[7] She emphasises simple, authentic preaching to inspire personal connections with faith.[7]
Activism
Ace co-founded Christian Action Against Antisemitism (CAAA) with Timothy Gutmann around 2012, initially under a different name, rebranding it in 2021 to highlight its Christian focus.[7] CAAA aims to educate Christians on the history of Christian antisemitism, including tropes like deicide and blood libels, and to mobilise action against perceived antisemitism.[7] The organisation stresses non-proselytising solidarity with Jewish communities, though its pro-Zionist orientation often frames criticism of the Zionist colony as illegitimate.[10]
Ace is associated with Stop the Hate UK, a pro-Zionist group countering pro-Palestinian demonstrations.[5] She regularly speaks at their events, including counter-protests and marches against antisemitism.[11] Reports suggest involvement in deplatforming critics of hardline Zionism, such as rabbis supporting Palestinian self-determination, reflecting efforts to marginalise protected anti-Zionist views.[5]
Ace has promoted conspiracy theories, claiming pro-Palestine movements are fronts for "Islamic conquest" funded by Qatar, and citing discredited statistics on "radical Muslims".[5] Such rhetoric aligns with broader networks defending the Zionist regime while potentially discriminating against Muslim communities.
She received the Honorary Woman of Distinction Award from Jewish Care in September 2024 for combating antisemitism.[12] Ace participated in the SHE LEADS UK&US 2025 summit and a solidarity mission to the 'Jewish State' in January 2025.[8][4]
Personal life
Ace is married to Timothy Gutmann, with whom she has six children.[4] They reside in Waltham Abbey, Essex.[3] Ace has claimed to have faced threats from groups like the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and online abuse for her activism.[4]
Timeline
- c. 1983: Born in New Zealand.[6]
- Late 1980s: Family moves to Kenya for missionary work.[6]
- 1990: Family settles in East Anglia, UK.[13]
- ~2012: Co-founds precursor to CAAA.[7]
- 2020: Assumes senior leadership of Lea Valley Church.[9]
- 2021: Rebrands organisation to CAAA.[7]
- October 2023: Intensifies activism post-7 October; plans rally canceled due to safety concerns.[7]
- January 2024: Engages with international advocates.[14]
- September 2024: Receives Honorary Woman of Distinction Award from Jewish Care.[12]
- June–September 2025: Public statements on pro-Palestine movements.[5]
- August 2025: Involved in deplatforming incident.[5]
- January 2025: Solidarity mission to the 'Jewish State'.[4]
- December 2024–2026: Continues speeches at marches and events.[11]
See also
External links
Notes
- ↑ https://thehomejlm.com/members/inon-dan-kehati/
- ↑ https://www.instagram.com/noor_dahri/
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 The Jewish Chronicle, Meet the non-Jewish Brits who stand shoulder to shoulder with us The Jewish Chronicle, accessed 12 February 2026.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 Ynet News, Why is a Christian mother of six risking it all to stand with Israel? Ynet News, 13 January 2025.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 Vashti Media, Inside Stop the Hate: the pro-Israel street movement’s convergence with the far-right Vashti Media, accessed 12 February 2026.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 The Jewish Chronicle, 'The strange and beautiful love story of the Maori and the Jews' The Jewish Chronicle, 14 January 2026.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 7.7 7.8 Podcast Against Antisemitism, Reverend Hayley Ace | Podcast Against Antisemitism | S5 E5 YouTube, accessed 12 February 2026.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 St George's House, SHE LEADS UK&US 2025 BIO'S CONFIRMED St George's House, accessed 12 February 2026.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Lea Valley Church, Senior Leaders Lea Valley Church, accessed 12 February 2026.
- ↑ Christian Action Against Antisemitism, About CAAA, accessed 12 February 2026.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 The Jerusalem Post, Thousands brave Storm Darragh to march against antisemitism in London The Jerusalem Post, 9 December 2024.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 The Jewish Chronicle, Christian reverend honoured for her ‘inspiring’ fight against antisemitism The Jewish Chronicle, 29 September 2024.
- ↑ Lea Valley Church, Our Story Lea Valley Church, accessed 12 February 2026.
- ↑ Israellycool, What will we do when this is all over? The Times of Israel Blogs, 30 December 2024.