Based on their press release, PILC and ELSC appear to have made a series of unfounded allegations to the SRA as a means of curtailing UKLFI’s work in assisting hundreds of Jewish individuals every year.

We are accused of writing vexatious and baseless letters, and the complainants say they have acquired eight examples from a period of over 3 years. UKLFI has been called on to address dozens and, since October 2023, hundreds of requests for help every year from Jewish members of the public expressing genuine concerns in many areas of life including medical services, retailers, education and the arts. Many of the concerns relate to conduct creating an intimidating, hostile and offensive environment for Jewish patients, workers, customers or students, and sometimes excluding them altogether.

If appropriate, we write to the relevant organization and point out what is happening, the effect that this has had on the Jewish or Israeli customer or patient, and how applicable laws or regulatory requirements are being breached. We also explain how the problem may be solved. Our correspondence is neither vexatious nor legally baseless. The legal analyses we provide are justified and well substantiated.  In many cases this persuades organisations to cease unlawful anti-Israel and/or antisemitic activities.

The complaint demands that the SRA suspend one of UKLFI’s directors, to prevent misuse of SLAPPS.  However, UKLFI has not conducted any activity that can be described as a SLAPP.

The report also accuses UKLFI of contributing to a “wave of repression” of Palestine advocates  and intimidation of those who stand in solidarity with Palestine. We frankly wonder what world they are living in, since it is the Israel supporters who are unable publicly to show an Israeli flag, wear a star of David, or even a yellow ribbon to remember the hostages, without being spat upon, shouted at or even beaten up.

Jewish individuals are often too scared of a backlash against them to voice their complaints about harassment and discrimination in, for example, offices, shops and medical facilities. UKLFI takes up these concerns as an NGO and receives the backlash from those who seek to curtail efforts to protect Jewish workers, customers and patients, including people whose own conduct is illegal and their supporters.

ELSC appears to think that people are entitled to express political support for Palestine any time, anywhere and in any manner, whether or not they are breaking the law. However, in some settings, such as schools, there is a legal obligation to secure balanced treatment of political issues; and in other settings, such as hospitals, the expression of political views may harass members of other minority groups and harm vulnerable patients.  If employees brazenly breach their employer’s or regulator’s code of conduct, they may be disciplined in some way.

ELSC and PILC demand that UKLFI should be regulated by the SRA. However, UKLFI does not conduct litigation on behalf of any client or any other “reserved activities” and is not required to be registered as a legal practice.     Nevertheless it works to the highest professional standards, using available laws to counter the oldest hatred, for which it is in turn hated by some, but highly esteemed by many others.