Today, during the festival of Shavuot and after the horrible incidents of antisemitism in London this weekend, our thoughts are especially with our staff, trustees and many friends in the Jewish community.

It’s not our role to comment on the situation in the Middle East. But, as a charity that draws on Anne Frank’s experience of antisemitism to educate about all forms of prejudice across the UK, including Islamophobia, we call for dialogue about Israel-Palestine to be free from stereotypes and hatred.

While Anne Frank wrote her diary in the specific context of the Holocaust, her faith in everyone’s common humanity remains relevant and deeply inspiring:

“It’s difficult in times like these: ideals, dreams and cherished hopes rise within us, only to be crushed by grim reality. It’s a wonder I haven’t abandoned all my ideals, they seem so absurd and impractical. Yet I cling to them because I still believe, in spite of everything, that people are truly good at heart.” (15.7.44)