View source for Zionist Federation of the United Kingdom and Ireland

[[File:ZF logo circa 2012.jpeg|thumb|right|500px|Logo of the Zionist Federation, circa 2012, Retrieved from http://www.zionist.org.uk, 24 December 2012]]

The '''Zionist Federation of Great Britain and Ireland''', also known as the '''British Zionist Federation''' or simply the '''Zionist Federation''' (ZF), was established in 1899 to campaign for a permanent homeland for the Jewish people. The Zionist Federation is an umbrella organisation for the Zionist movement in the United Kingdom, claiming, in 2012, to represent 'more than 120 organisations, and over 50,000 affiliated members.'<ref name="about">The Zionist Federation of Great Britain and Ireland [http://www.zionist.org.uk/?page_id=2 About Us], Accessed 24 December 2012</ref> It is the British/Irish affiliate of the [[World Zionist Organization]] based in Jerusalem, Israel.

In 1917, the British Foreign Secretary [[Arthur James Balfour]] communicated the [[Balfour Declaration, 1917|Balfour Declaration]] to the leader of United Kingdom's Jewish community [[Walter Rothschild, 2nd Baron Rothschild|Lord Rothschild]] for transmission to the Zionist Federation. 

In 1920, the Zionist Federation founded [[Women's International Zionist Organization]] (WIZO) and [[Keren Hayesod]]. The ZF also founded a number of Zionist youth movements.

Until 1931 the ZF was known as the [[English Zionist Federation]], in which year its name was changed to the [[Zionist Federation of Great Britain and Ireland]]. A further name change was made in 1966 to the [[Zionist Federation of Great Britain and Northern Ireland]],<ref>Chris Cook (ed) ''The Routledge Guide to British Political Archives: Sources since 1945'', London: Routledge, p. 418.</ref> though today the former title including the whole thirty two counties of Ireland has been reinstated from around 2006.

[[File:ZF logo circa 2006.png|thumb|right|300px|Logo from the Zionist Federation website circa 2006.<ref>Zionist Federation [http://web.archive.org/web/20060202164940/http://www.zionist.org.uk/Main/about.php About Us], Retrieved from the Internet Archive of 2 February 2006, accessed 24 December 2012</ref>]]
==Aims and objectives==
Among its aims and objectives, ZF lists:

* Support, co-ordinate and facilitate the work of all its affiliates nationwide, and to continue its commitment to the Zionist youth movements.
* Encourage the participation of Jews in Zionist activities including education, culture, Hebrew language and Israel information, underpinned by the belief that the main goal of Zionism is Aliyah.
* The Zionist Federation is an umbrella organisation encompassing most of the Zionist organizations and individuals in the country and, as such, represents the Zionist movement in the United Kingdom.
==Membership==
The ZF does not reveal its membership list on its website.  It has given various accounts of the extent of its membership.  The holdings of the internet archive reveal that it has given the following accounts on its website.  In 2001 it stated that it represented: 'most of the  Zionist organizations and individuals in the country'.<ref>Zionist Federation [http://web.archive.org/web/20010207164913/http://zionist.org.uk/ Homepage], Retrieved from the Internet Archive of 7 February 2001 on 24 December 2012</ref> In 2006 the Zionist Federation stated that it 'represents the UK Zionist Movement more than 120 organisations, and over 50,000 affiliated members.'<ref>Zionist Federation [http://web.archive.org/web/20060202164940/http://www.zionist.org.uk/Main/about.php About Us], Retrieved from the Internet Archive of 2 February 2006 on 24 December 2012.</ref> The figure of 120 was still on the website in 2012.<ref name="about"/>  However in other sources, the ZF has claimed, by contrast, to have 'over seventy affiliated organisations' in 2010.<ref>''The Jewish Yearbook 2010'', Edgware, Middlesex: Valentine Mitchell, 2010, p 45.</ref>

==Activities== 
===Rewarding Michael Gove's support for Israel===

[[Image:Gove-Moonman.jpeg|right|thumb|Gove accepting his prize for 'unrelenting' support for Israel from Eric Moonman]]In February 2008 [[Eric Moonman]], Zionist Federation President, presented the Jerusalem Prize to [[Michael Gove]] MP:

:Mr. Gove was given the beautiful silver and glass award for his unrelenting support for the State of Israel.  In accepting the Jerusalem Prize, Mr. Gove stressed that his love and passion was for democracy and since Israel was the only democracy in the Middle East, his support came naturally.<ref>[http://www.doingzionism.org.il/about_us/activity.asp?id=409 Jerusalem Prize Awarded at Annual Zionist Federation Dinner] February 17, 2008</ref>

===Criticism of Amnesty International===
The ZF has attacked Amnesty International UK on a number of occasions. 
*In January 2012 ZF chairman [[Harvey Rose]] wrote to Amnesty director Kate Allen complaining about a book launch it was hosting with author Ben White, who ZF alleged held 'abhorrent and mendacious views'. Amnesty responded that its work included raising issues about discrimination and that White's book, ''Palestinians in Israel: Segregation, Discrimination and Democracy'', tied in to this.<ref>Marcus Dysch, [http://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/62284/cancel-event-amnesty-urged-zf Cancel event, Amnesty is urged by ZF], ''Jewish Chronicle'', accessed 7 August 2012</ref> It did not cancel the event.
*In May 2012, ZF attacked Allen again after she stated in an interview with the ''Jewish Chronicle'' that she had never had a letter of complaint from any member of the Jewish community accusing Amnesty of being biased against Israel. Executive Director [[Alan Aziz]] claimed his organisation was still awaiting a reply from Amnesty about the January 2012 Ben White book launch about which ZF had complained, though Allen said the charity had already responded.<ref>Marcus Dysch, [http://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/67719/amnesty-boss-attacked-over-israel-claims Amnesty boss attacked over Israel claims], ''Jewish Chronicle'', accessed 7 August 2012</ref> Aziz also penned a comment piece in the ''Jewish Chronicle'' stating: '[I]t is inexcusable for groups to use phrases like "war crimes" with a total disregard to the damage such words can cause. There is an urgent need for NGOs to deal with their blatant anti-Israel bias, a bias that ultimately does damage to their reputations.'<ref>[http://www.thejc.com/comment-and-debate/comment/67742/we-deserve-more-amnesty We deserve more from Amnesty], ''Jewish Chronicle'', accessed 7 August 2012</ref>
*In July 2012 the ZF attacked Amnesty campaign manager Kristyan Benedict claiming that he had 'regularly shown a partisan approach' on Israeli-Palestinian issues, for instance by organising the January 2012 Ben White book launch, and had threatened to assault an Israel supporter (Zionist blogger [[Richard Millett]]) at an Amnesty event. The charity responded to the ZF claims, saying all its staff members adhered to principles of independence and impartiality in their work. Benedict reportedly apologised to Millett but the ZF turned down the offer of a meeting with him, claiming 'there would be nothing to gain from meeting him'.<ref>Marcus Dysch, [http://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/70222/amnesty-international-defends-official-accused-anti-israel-bias Amnesty International defends official accused of anti-Israel bias], ''Jewish Chronicle'', accessed 7 August 2012</ref>

==People==

===Senior figures===
*1950-1970 [[Barnett Janner]] (20 Jun 1892-4 May 1982) 'member of the executive of the English Zionist Federation in 1930, becoming Chairman in 1940 and President from 1950 to 1970.'<ref>David Lewis Jones, [http://wbo.llgc.org.uk/en/s8-JANN-BAR-1892.html Barnet Janner] ''Welsh Biography Online''.</ref>
*1972-1975 [[Abraham Kramer]], solicitor and community leader (born London 7 October 1908 died London 21 February 1996) chairman 1972-75;  Joint President (with Dr [[S. Levenberg]]) and Honorary President of the ZF Educational Trust<ref>Joseph OBITUARY:Ab Kramer The Independent (London) March 18, 1996, Monday GAZETTE; Page  16</ref>
* 1973 -1982 [[Joseph Sieff|Joseph Edward 'Teddy' Sieff]] (1906-1982 - hon Vice President, circa 1973, then hon President until his death) |  
*1975-1980 and 2001 to present [[Eric Moonman]] (ZF chair 1975-80, President 2001-) 
*1985-1990 [[Stephen Roth]] (ZF chair 1985-90) 
*1989 and 1992-1997 [[Brenda Katten]] (vice-chair in 1989, chair 1992-97) 
*1994-1997 [[Howard Schaverien]] (ZF President in 1994, Chair in 1996-7) 
*2001- present [[Alan Aziz]] (executive director since 2001) 
*2006-2010 [[Andrew Balcombe]] (chair 2006-10) 
*2012-2021 [[Paul Charney]] (chair) <ref>Jenni Frazer [https://www.thejc.com/news/uk/zionist-federation-chair-steps-down-1.517033 Zionist Federation chair steps down], ''The JC'', 24 may 2021.</ref>
*2018-?? [[Estelle Gilston]] (President)<ref>https://www.thejc.com/news/uk/zionist-federation-elects-estelle-gilston-as-its-first-female-president-1.457902</ref>
*??-2021 [[Jonatahan Turner]] (President)

===Circa November 2012===
[[Paul Charney]] Chair - 'A solicitor and former IDF lieutenant... made aliyah from South Africa in 1986 and served in an armoured division of the Israeli army for four years until 1996... Mr Charney is a member of [[Conservative Friends of Israel]] and previously worked with the [[Jewish Association of Business Ethics]]'.<ref name="JC">[http://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/89028/zionist-federation-elects-its-new-board Zionist Federation elects its new board], ''The JC.com'' November 1, 2012.</ref> | [[Eric Moonman]] and former chair [[Harvey Rose]] will serve as joint presidents | [[Howard Ross]] and [[David Duke-Cohan]] as vice-chairs. Former vice-president [[Jonathan Hoffman]] was not re-elected | Director [[Alan Aziz]]<ref name="JC"/>

===Circa 2010===
[[Andrew Balcombe]], Chair | [[Jonathan Hoffmann]], Vice-Chair | Dr [[Jonathan Smilansky]] Vice-Chair | [[Harvey Rose]] Hon Treasurer | [[Eric Moonman]] Co-President | [[Joy Wolfe]] Co-President | [[Alan Aziz]] director | [[Tracey Seigal]] Deputy Director | [[Gary Sakol]] Assistant Director/Director of [[Israel Connect]] | [[Ian Crooke (Zionist Federation)|Ian Crooke]] Finance <ref>Elkan Levy and Derek Taylor (eds) ''The Jewish Year Book 2010'', London: Valentine Mitchell, p. 45.</ref>

===Circa 2007===
====Executive====
[[Eric Moonman]] President | [[Geoffrey Gelberg]] Hon President | [[Andrew Balcombe]] Chairman | [[David Duke-Cohan]] Vice-Chair | [[P Margolis]] Vice-chair | [[Shirley Levinson]] Hon Secretary | [[Harvey Rose]] Hon Treasurer | [[Alan Aziz]] Director | [[Tracey Seigal]] Assistant Director | [[Simon Arenson]] Marketing | [[Nadia Nathan]] Finance<ref name="JYB2007">Stephen Massil (ed) ''The Jewish Year Book 2007'', London: Valentine Mitchell, 2007, p.21.</ref>
====Committee Chairs====
Constitution [[Jonathan Kramer]] | Finance [[David Duke-Cohan]] | Fundraising [[Geoffrey Gelberg]] | Israel Now [[Eric Moonman]] | Yom Ha'atzmaut [[Estelle Gilston]] | Young Leadership Israel connect [[S Fischer]]<ref name="JYB2007"/>

===Circa 2002===
====Executive====
[[Eric Moonman]] President | [[Geoffrey Gelberg]] Hon President | [[Ralph Stern]] Chairman | [[Estelle Gilston]] Vice-Chair | [[Steve Elstein]] Vice-chair | [[Adrian Korsner]] Hon Secretary | [[Joel Rose]] Hon Treasurer | [[Alan Aziz]] Director | [[Rona Hart]] Public Relations | [[Laurence Stein]] Marketing | [[Nadia Nathan]] Finance<ref name="JYB2002">Stephen Massil (ed) ''The Jewish Year Book 2002'', London: Valentine Mitchell, 2002, p.23</ref>
====Committee Chairs====
Constitution [[Sidney Shipton]] | Finance [[Joel Rose]] | Fundraising [[Muriel Thompson]] | Israel Response [[Eric Moonman]] and [[Rona Hart]] | Israel conference [[Estelle Gilston]] | Yom Ha'atzmaut [[Jacques Weisser]] | Young Leadership Israel connect [[Steven Elstein]]<ref name="JYB2002"/>

===Circa 1997===
====Executive====
[[Rosser Chinn]] Honorary President | Dr [[S Levenberg]] President | [[H Schaverin]] Chairman | [[S Pollock]] Vice-Chair | [[R Stern]] Vice-chair | [[Estelle Gilston]] Hon Secretary | [[I Myers]] Hon Treasurer | [[D Goldberg]] Executive Director | [[Rona Hart]] Public Relations | [[Laurence Stein]] Marketing | [[Nadia Nathan]] Finance<ref name="JYB1997">Stephen Massil (ed) ''The Jewish Year Book 1997'', London: Valentine Mitchell, 1997, p.23</ref>

====Committee Chairs====
Constitution [[Sidney Shipton]] | Finance [[I Myers]] | Fundraising [[C Rosen]] | Israel Conference [[S Pollock]]  | Israel Projects [[Estelle Gilston]] | Moadon Ivri [[M Novick]] | Recruitment [[R Stern]] | Yom Ha'atzmaut [[David Duke-Cohan]]<ref name="JYB1997"/>
===Circa 1992===
====Executive====
[[Rosser Chinn]] Honorary President | Dr [[S Levenberg]] Joint President | [[A Kramer]] Joint President | Mrs [[B Katten]] Chairman | [[B Davis]] Vice-Chair | [[H Smith]] Vice-chair | Mrs [[B Hyman]] Hon Secretary | [[R Stern]] Hon Treasurer | Dr [[G Garai]] Executive Director<ref name="JYB1992">Stephen Massil (ed) ''The Jewish Year Book 1997'', London: Jewish Chronicle Publications, 1992, p.64</ref>

====Committee Chairs====
Community Servicing [[H Skolnick]] | Constitution [[David Duke-Cohan]] | Development and training [[D Aaronberg]] | Finance [[R Stern]] | Promotion and Publicity Mrs [[D Cukier]] | Public Affairs [[L Sacker]] | Youth [[H Schaverien]] | Zionist Review Board [[B Davis]]<ref name="JYB1992"/>

===Circa 1983===
====Executive====
Honorary President [[Edward Sieff]] | Chief Executive [[G H Gelberg]] | Treasurer [[S Reiss]] | Hon Secretary [[Eric Graus|E Graus]] | General Secretary Dr. [[George Garai|G Garai]]<ref name="JYB1983">Michael Wallach (Ed.) ''The Jewish Year Book, 1983'', London: Jewish Chronicle Publications, 1983, p. 58.</ref>

====Committee Chairs====
Aliyah Committee Co-chairs [[S Cooper]] | [[H Smith]] | Jews in Arab Lands Committee Co-chairs [[P S Gourgey]] | [[D Avayou]]<ref name="JYB1983"/>

==Member organisations==

[[Academic Friends of Israel]] | [[Association of Jewish Ex-Servicemen and Women]] | [[Alyth]] | [[Bromley Reform Synagogue]] | [[Christian Friends of Israel]] | [[Cockfosters and N Southgate Synagogue]] | [[European Friends of Israel]] | [[Emunah]] | [[Federation of Zionist Youth]] | [[Mosaic]] | [[Hendon Reform Synagogue]] | [[Jewish Agency for Israel]] | [[Jewish Labour Movement]] | [[JLGB]] | [[Kinloss]] | [[Likud-Herut UK]] | [[Youth Movement of Liberal Judaism]] | [[Masorti Judasim]] | [[Mercaz]] | [[Meretz UK]] | [[Mosaic Reform Synagogue]] [[Noam Masorti Youth]] | [[Nottingham Liberal Synagogue]] | [[Pro Zion UK]] | [[British Friends of Rambam Medical Center]] | [[Share Tsedek]] | [[Shaare Zedek UK]] | [[South Hampstead Synagogue]] | [[Woodside Park Synagogue]]<ref>ZF [https://zionist.org.uk/affiliate-members/ Affiliate Members]]. Accessed 6 March 2019</ref>

==Publications, Powerbase resources and external links==
===Publications===
*''[[Zionist Review]]''  May 1917-June 1927, 1934-1952, 1982-1995
*''[[Jewish Observer and Middle East Review]]'' 1952-1977
*''[[Zionist Year Book]]'' from 1951.
The ''[[Zionist Review]]'' appears to have ceased publication around 1995.  According to its editor [[Joseph Finklestone]], in 1997, 'so meagre are the resources of the Zionist Federation that it is unable to publish regularly its famous journal ''[[Zionist Review]]''.'<ref>Joseph Finklestone, 'Zionism and British Jews', in Stephen Massil (ed) ''The Jewish Year Book 1997'', London: Valentine Mitchell, 1997, p.xxx</ref>

===Powerbase resources===
*[[Federation of Zionist Youth]] | [[Zionist Federation Education Trust]] | [[Scopus Jewish Education Trust]] (charity number 313154) | [[Shalom Foundation of the Zionist Federation of Great Britain and Ireland]]  (charity number 1026535) | [[Palestine Relief Board]] (created 1917) | [[Youth Education Fund of Zionist Federation of Great Britain and Ireland]] (charity number 294111)
*[[Israel Britain Alliance]] - a project of the ZF.

==External links==
*[http://www.zionist.org.uk/ Zionist Federation of Great Britain and Ireland] website
*[http://www.wzo.org.il/doingzionism/federations/fed_home.asp?fed=zfgbi Zionist Federation of Great Britain and Ireland] ([[World Zionist Organization]])

==References==

<references/>

[[Category:Israel Lobby]]
[[Category:Zionist movement UK]]