London Conference to Examine Jewish-Kurdish Relations
RastinewsThe Jewish Kurdish Network's international conference opens in London on Sept. 6-7, 2026. Over two days, academics, politicians and community representatives will discuss the past and future of Jewish-Kurdish relations. Organizers hope the conference will close with the adoption of a "Diaspora Declaration," setting out a framework for cooperation between the two diasporas.
The Jewish Kurdish Network is organizing the conference together with the London Centre for the Study of Contemporary Antisemitism (LCSCA) and the Kurdish Studies Program at Tel Aviv University's Moshe Dayan Center. Titled "Jewish-Kurdish Relations in a Changing Middle East: A Closer Look at Shared History, Identity and Future Cooperation," the event carries the slogan "History. Identity. Future." It will be held in London on Sept. 6-7, 2026.
Academics, politicians, journalists, community representatives, activists and civil society figures from the United Kingdom, Europe, Israel, the United States and the Kurdistan Region are expected to attend.
Over the two days, discussions will cover shared history and identity, nationalism, minority rights, genocide and collective memory, regional politics, the role and responsibility of the diaspora, women's leadership, youth voices, and the future of Kurdish-Jewish cooperation.
Goal: A Diaspora Declaration
Organizers say the conference aims to turn shared history and mutual understanding into lasting cooperation between the Jewish and Kurdish diasporas, and to build ties among academics, policymakers, civil society organizations, cultural institutions and future generations.
At the close of the two days, a "Diaspora Declaration on Kurdish-Jewish Partnership" is expected to be adopted. The text is meant to provide a lasting framework for solidarity and joint work between the two communities.
Who Is Speaking on the Panels?
The conference opens Sunday, Sept. 6, with an inaugural ceremony. After opening remarks from the organizing committee, representatives of partner and supporting organizations will each deliver greetings. Alongside seven panels, the program includes question-and-answer sessions and discussions open to the audience; one highlight will be a large Kurdish-Jewish roundtable.
The first panel, "Zionism and Kurdayetî: National Movements, Identity and Existence," will be moderated by Dr. Nir Boms, with Dr. Khaled Salih, Prof. Orit Rozin and Evin A. as speakers. The session will address national identity and self-determination, demands for statehood, and how identity is shaped in conflict zones.
The second panel, "Ancient Roots: Kurdistan's Jews and Shared Heritage," will be moderated by Edwin Shuker, with Dr. Veysi Dağ, Yehuda Ben Yosef and Prof. Baruch Shimoni speaking. The session will look at the historical presence of Jewish communities in Kurdistan, shared cultural traditions, language and customs, and lessons drawn from centuries of coexistence.
The third panel, "Regional Transformation and Western Policy Toward the Kurds and Israel," will be moderated by British MP Feryal Clark, with Ali Toprak, Shukriya Bradost, Dr. Jonathan Spyer and Mutlu Çiviroğlu taking part. It will examine geopolitical shifts in the Middle East, regional security since Oct. 7, the roles of Iran, Turkey, Iraq and Syria, and Western policy.
The fourth panel, closing out the day, is titled "Memory, Genocide and Collective Existence." Moderated by Dr. Joanna Michlic, it will feature Prof. Phillip Spencer, Prof. Jan Ilhan Kizilhan, Dr. Brahim Malaz and Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Çiçek. The session will address historical memory, genocide and mass atrocities, trauma and recovery, and the prevention of future atrocities.
The cultural program includes a screening of Kae Bahar's film No Friend but the Mountains and a traditional music performance by Kurdish artists. Over the two days, participants will meet speakers from across the world.
"Not Just a Conference About the Past"
The Jewish Kurdish Network is an organization that seeks to strengthen relations between Jewish and Kurdish communities through education, dialogue, cultural exchange, academic work and international cooperation. Organizers describe the conference as a major gathering of people working on the past, present and future of Jewish-Kurdish relations.
The announcement describes the conference's purpose this way: "This is not just a conference about the past. It's a conversation about what comes next."
For registration and more information, see the Eventbrite link: