The JC - Jewish News, Comment & Culture

(Illustrative)Police and protesters outside the Great Israeli Real Estate show at the United Synagogue, Edgware, on June 14, 2026 (Elliott Franks)

2 min read

US President Donald Trump during a meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House (Image: Getty Images)

By Jonathan Spyer

Opinion: Why the emerging US-Iran deal is bad news for Israel

3 min read

Protesters gather outside the Royal Courts of Justice on June 15, 2026, ahead of the hearing on the lawfulness of the proscription of Palestine Action (PA)

Palestine Action

Palestine Action proscription is lawful, Court of Appeal rules

Five judges said the ban was a ‘justified and proportionate’ interference on freedom of expression rights.

By JC Reporter

6 min read

Destroyed buildings in the southern Lebanese village of Kfar Kila following an Israeli airstrike on May 31, 2026 (Getty Images)

Iran

We won’t withdraw from southern Lebanon, says Israeli defence minister

By JC Reporter

3 min read

Trump

Trump announces ‘peace deal’ with Iran

By JC Reporter

2 min read

Hezbollah

Israel strikes Hezbollah in Beirut following cross-border attack

By JC Reporter

2 min read

World Cup 2026

Palestinian FA chief denied entry to US for World Cup

World Cup 2026: Jewish England fans pray for victory at the Western Wall

Opinion: The greatest test for Iran’s World Cup players will be showing loyalty to a brutal regime

Could England face Iran at the 2026 World Cup?

Rabbi, who’s going to win the World Cup?

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World news

Israeli medical team at the neonatal unit in the underground bomb shelter built into the Carmel Medical Center in Haifa, on April 9, 2026. (Image: Getty Images)

The Lancet

World Medical Association opposes call to suspend Israeli membership

By Ben Conway

2 min read

Palestine flags among the Irish fans during a Euro 2024 qualifier match against Greece on October 13, 2023 (photo: Charles McQuillan / Getty Images)

Ireland

Ireland v Israel to take place at neutral venue and without fans over pro-Palestine protest fears

By Ben Conway

2 min read

US President Trump speaks to reporters aboard Air Force One on June 5, 2026 (Getty Images)

Iran

Trump calls off Iran strikes claiming peace deal approved

By Jessica Russack-Hoffman

1 min read

Yahya Sinwar, chief of the Hamas terrorist organisation in Gaza, waves to a crowd (Credit: MOHAMMED ABED/AFP via Getty Images)

Israel

Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar’s handwritten October 7 invasion notes goes on display

By Daniel Ben-David

1 min read

Dr Alice Jill Edwards, the UN Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment (Photo: courtesy)

United Nations

I documented the horrors of October 7 but colleagues watered it down, claims UN torture rapporteur

By Jane Prinsley

5 min read

Swiss defender Silvan Widmer high-fiving children from the San Diego Jewish Academy (photo: FIFA)

World Cup 2026

Swiss World Cup squad trains with 500 students at San Diego Jewish school

By Ben Conway

3 min read

Donald Trump

US President Trump attends game three of the NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden on June 8, 2026 (Getty Images)

US will ‘take Kharg Island’ in ‘not too distant future’, Trump claims

The island, which sits in the Strait of Hormuz, is home to the lion’s share of Iran’s oil processing infrastructure

By Jacob Jaffa

1 min read

After that X-rated phone call, just what is the sworn truth about Trump and Netanyahu?IDF hero shares the seven lessons learnt for the seven bullets that almost claimed his life in Gaza

UK News

King's Birthday Honours

Change-makers, educators and charity heads recognised in King’s Birthday Honours List

Raymond Simonson of JW3 has been made MBE

By Alma Green

5 min read

Palestine Action

Palestine Action activists jailed over Elbit factory raid

Four defendants sentenced to seven years and eight months, five years, five years, and four years and eight months, respectively

By JC Reporter

5 min read

Protesters outside Woolwich Crown Court ahead of a hearing where Palestine Action activists were jailed on June 12, 2026 (PA)

Court and Crime

Palestine Action activists will be sentenced as terrorists over Elbit raid

More than 70 protestors arrested outside court on suspicion of supporting a proscribed organisation

By JC Reporter

2 min read

(Illustrative) Protesters outside Woolwich Crown Court, London, on June 12, 2026, ahead of a hearing where Palestine Action activists are due to be sentenced over a break-in at the UK base of an Israel-based defence firm, Elbit Systems (PA)

Gaza flotilla

Flotilla leader sanctioned by US over ‘Hamas links’ invited to Parliament

‘Astonishing’ event involved Green, Labour and Independent MPs

By Jane Prinsley

2 min read

Kamel Abu Keshek (centre) at the event in Parliament (Photo: Instagram)

In tune: Dustin Hoffman with Daniel Roher

Film

Meet the director who made Dustin Hoffman an irresistible offer

By James Mottram

6 min read

Comic superpower: Maureen Lipman with Bailey Patrick Credit: Marc Brenner

Theatre

Allegra review: Maureen Lipman is the clowning glory ★★★

Quilter’s goofy comedy reminds us that Dame Maureen is, in the best possible sense, a clown

By John Nathan

2 min read

Music

The full story of George Michael and Wham!’s hidden Jewish identity

The author of a new biography of the late pop legend reveals how the singer’s heritage shaped his personality and career

8 min read

Careless obsession: Sathnam Sanghera and his new book

By Ben Conway

From Mussolini to Iran: the politics of the World Cup

The war in the Middle East has given the tournament a tense backdrop – but football’s biggest stage has never been insulated from global events

3 min read

Iran's captain and defender Ehsan Haji Safi and teammates walk on the tarmac on arrival at the Tijuana International Airport on June 7 (Image: Getty Images)

Jewish Comedy

Yohay Sponder’s Genesis review: Israeli stand-up comic’s London show brings escapism, with a few awkward moments ★★★

In his UK performance, the charismatic comedian emphasised the absurdity of being Jewish and Israeli in today’s world

By Charlotte Henry

2 min read

Yohay Sponder. (Photo: Limor Azran Garfinkle via Facebook)

Sponsored

Our vision for primary education

By Hayley Gross

1 min read

From exploring the Pyramids to travelling through space, Hendon Prep pupils can “step directly into” a topic. Photo Hendon Prep School

Sponsored

Pupils immersed in future-ready learning

By Hendon Prep School

2 min read

Olami UK opens the door to Jewish learning for ‘real lives, real people’

Sponsored

A new name, the sameheart: Olami UK's vision for Jewish life

By Joel Elias

2 min read

Beehives contribute to the ‘pockets of happiness’ at Manor Lodge

Sponsored

Protecting childhood: Navigating the digital world

By Alyson Lobo, Manor Lodge School, Shenley

3 min read

Opinion

Our British Museum lecture on ancient Israel and Judah shows the public cares about history and evidence

Far from diminishing interest, the rescheduling of the Jewish Culture Month event broadened its reach, enabling thousands more people to participate in a thoughtful exploration of one of the world's most significant regions

By Nicholas Cullinan

1 min read

Left to right: Dr Paul Collins, director of culture, Liat Rosenthal, education and communities at the Board of Deputies, acting Board president Adrian Cohen and British Museum Director Dr Nicholas Cullinan OBE (Credit: Board of Deputies)

By Ashley Perry

Gilad Erdan – the dark horse who could perhaps decide Israel’s next government

With neither Netanyahu nor the opposition likely to secure a parliamentary majority, a new party led by the former UN ambassador could hold the balance of power after the elections

4 min read

By Lottie Cannon

For me, Amsterdam has been about canals, cycling and Shabbat dinners – not antisemitism

I think sometimes adults accidentally trap young Jews inside narratives of fear. Yes, the hatred is real but I do not want it to become the defining story of my year abroad

3 min read

By Tanya Gold

Network at 50: the film that predicted our disordered world

Written by Sidney “Paddy” Chayefsky, the Jewish genius of American screenwriting, the brilliant movie foretold reality TV, the hard left and the ebbing of liberal democracy

4 min read

By Alex Hearn

Zeteo UK won’t speak truth to power – only grievances to its echo chamber

At Mehdi Hasan’s new “progressive” platform, the staff tend to share a certain worldview, particularly on Israel, where every bias points in the same direction

3 min read

By Sara Conway

Antisemitism has become normalised – and Barnet Council is determined to fight it

We are proudly home to the UK’s largest Jewish population and together with the police, local faith and community leaders, the CST and Shomrim, we will do everything to confront this hatred and strengthen cohesion

3 min read

By Zoe Strimpel

My Jewish supermarket sweep – spoiler, the winner isn’t M&S

Some chains have a distinctly more ‘kosher’ flavour than others – particularly in an era when politics and activism can determine whether Israeli dates or Palestinian beer make it onto the shelves

2 min read