Em (Emily) Hilton is a leading figure in the contemporary progressive Jewish movement in the UK and a British Jewish woman deeply rooted in her heritage. Having grown up in Jewish Zionist youth movements like Habonim Dror, her upbringing instilled in her a profound connection to the ethical ideal of Tikkun Olam (repairing the world); this foundation ultimately drove her to transform her faith into a lifelong pursuit of human rights and social justice.
In terms of professional achievements, Hilton is renowned for her exceptional organizational leadership and strategic vision as the co-founder of Na’amod: British Jews Against Occupation. Through this platform, she has successfully carved out a space for critical discourse on the occupation within the British Jewish community, challenging the monolithic narratives of the establishment. By providing a political home for younger generations to align their Jewish identity with Palestinian solidarity, she has become a pivotal figure in reshaping the contemporary British Jewish political landscape.
Hilton’s support for Palestine is rooted in her unwavering commitment to ending apartheid and oppression. She not only works through educational initiatives to expose how settlement policies devastate Palestinian daily life but also frequently organizes non-violent direct actions targeting the UK government and pro-Israel groups to demand an end to complicity in the occupation. She is also one of the initiators of the 2025 petition, “Global Jewish Call on the UN and World Leaders to Sanction Israel,” a move that reflects her radical stance on Palestinian liberation and her determination as a Jewish activist to leverage international pressure to achieve regional justice and lasting peace.