Progressive Judaism Co-Lead Rabbi Charley Baginsky was a keynote speaker at a major event in London this weekend to demand the return of the hostages being held by Hamas, fight for Israel’s democratic future and call for an end to the war in Gaza.

Hundreds of UK-based Israelis and British Jews attended the event, standing in solidarity with families of hostages, pro-democracy and anti-war protesters in Israel.

In a powerful speech, which you can read/watch in full below, Rabbi Charley (pictured with Kingston Liberal Synagogue Co-Chair Rebecca Singerman-Knight) began: “We are gathered here today because we love Israel. Because we care about the soul of Judaism. Because we believe in a Zionism rooted in democracy, justice, compassion – and in the dignity of every human being.”

She added: “Our prayers – and our protests – must overturn pyramids of hate, inequality and apathy. They must demand better from those in power and from ourselves.”

Rabbi Charley also spoke about the vital World Zionist Congress elections that are coming up and how all Jews in the UK can vote for the ‘Our Israel’ (Progressive and Masorti) slate in order to fund the movements on the ground in Israel that represent our values: pluralism, peace and equality. Full details on how to register and vote will be published shortly.

Other speakers included Sharone Lifschitz – daughter of Yochaved and late Oded Lifshitz who were kidnapped from Nir Oz on 7 October – Dr Magen Inon, an educator and peace activist whose parents Yacov and Bilha Inon were murdered on 7 October.

Sharone said: “I thought that when my father comes back, I will take a bit of time. But it’s not the time to mourn. We are in trauma, and we go from the trauma to action, and we do what it takes to bring all the hostages back. And it’s not possible to bring them home without democracy.”

The event was organised by We Democracy UK, a grassroots Israeli/British community advocating for democracy for all in Israel and Palestine.

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Rabbi Charley Baginsky speech (watch here):

Friends,

We are gathered here today because we love Israel. Because we care about the soul of Judaism. Because we believe in a Zionism rooted in democracy, justice, compassion – and in the dignity of every human being.

We come in solidarity: with the families of the 59 hostages still held in Gaza, including civilians and soldiers – many of whom are now believed to be dead. We stand with those enduring unbearable uncertainty and pain, and we will not stop calling for their safe return and for justice. We stand with the protestors on the streets of Tel Aviv, Haifa, and Jerusalem – who for over 40 weeks have refused to be silent. And with all those in Israel and in the Diaspora who know that we are standing on the edge of a spiritual and moral abyss.

As Yuval Noah Harari said, there are moments in history when fear is the most sane reaction. And this is that moment.
We are afraid—not just for Israel’s future, but for Judaism itself. What becomes of our tradition if it is captured by messianic extremism, by racism disguised as religion, by power without principle?

Harari’s warning is searing: if the current trajectory continues, if Jewish supremacy becomes policy, then Judaism itself may become synonymous with oppression. And if that happens, we lose not only our political future, but our moral compass. The damage would reach far beyond the borders of Israel – it would tear apart the very heart of what it means to be Jewish.

We are not just trying to save Israel. We are trying to save Judaism.

Let me be clear: this is not a left-wing issue or a Progressive Judaism issue. Look at the streets of Israel. Look around you here. This is all of us.

It is a rejection of judicial reforms that threaten democracy. A rejection of incitement and violence from those in government who claim to speak for us. A rejection of a version of Judaism that excludes women, minorities, Reform, Masorti, and all those who don’t conform to a narrow, coercive definition of religious life.

And it is also a call to conscience for the immense suffering of Palestinian civilians in Gaza – men, women, and children caught in a catastrophe not of their making. We can and must hold both truths: that the hostages must come home, and that every innocent life matters. That Jewish values demand we care not only for our own, but for the dignity and humanity of all. Compassion is not weakness. It is what gives our moral voice power.

Even in this darkness, we hold fast to hope.

Many of our Progressive rabbis in Israel, like Rabbi Yael Vurgan – who served as the rabbi for Sha’ar HaNegev, one of the communities hardest hit on October 7 – are standing with hostage families every single day. The Progressive Movement coordinates closely with the Hostage Forum, offering spiritual support and grounding. Every Saturday night, we hold Havdalah in Hostage Square – a ritual of separation and connection– marking the week that was and the week to come, offering comfort and resistance in the same breath.

And here in the UK, through our joint initiative ‘Our Israel’, Progressive and Masorti communities are working together to fund the movements on the ground in Israel that represent our values: pluralism, peace, and equality. This is how we ensure that our voices – and our money – support the Israel we believe in.

We are also asking every one of you to register and vote in the World Zionist Congress elections. Because even when we protest, we must also participate. The Jewish future cannot be decided by those who speak only for one narrow slice of our people. We must show up—in the streets, in our synagogues, and in our institutions.

As Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel once said: “Prayer is meaningless unless it is subversive.”

Our prayers – and our protests – must overturn pyramids of hate, inequality and apathy. They must demand better from those in power and from ourselves.

I have stood in front of congregations across the country asking what it means to be a Jew today. I come back to one line: Ivri anochi… I am a Hebrew. And to be a Hebrew, to be a Jew, is to speak for the stranger, the widow, and the orphan. To stand with the powerless. To protect memory. And to build a better world in the name of justice.

So let us say clearly: not in our name will Judaism be turned into a weapon of division. Not in our name will democracy be dismantled. Not in our name will Judaism become a shield for supremacy or silence.

We are here. We are speaking. And we will not stop.
Because we believe a better Israel is still possible.
Because we believe a better Judaism is still possible.
Because we believe in the power of people who refuse to give up.
Am Yisrael Chai—and so must its soul.

Thank you.