Honour for ex-62 Group fighter

NOTE: This article was published on 9 January 2024 Sir Gerald Ronson It really isn’t very often that Searchlight feels moved to congratulate someone upon receiving a knighthood, but we happily make an exception in the case of Sir Gerald Ronson, recently honoured for his services to philanthropy and the Jewish community. Gerald is, of…

NOTE: This article was published on 9 January 2024

Sir Gerald Ronson

It really isn’t very often that Searchlight feels moved to congratulate someone upon receiving a knighthood, but we happily make an exception in the case of Sir Gerald Ronson, recently honoured for his services to philanthropy and the Jewish community.

Gerald is, of course, best known as a hugely successful property developer, businessman and philanthropist. Less well known is his record as a staunch anti-fascist. As a young man he was a member of the 62 Group, known for his fearless attitude and imposing physical presence, and as its chief fundraiser.

But Gerald came to believe that there were limitations to the approach adopted in those early days and that something more sophisticated and versatile was called for. So, in 1965, he set up the Jewish Aid Committee of Britain (JACOB) to work more broadly for improved race relations legislation and the like.

It was members of JACOB who took the historic decision in 1965 to set up Searchlight as a quarterly newspaper. Only four issues appeared in that format however, and it was discontinued in 1967 until its relaunch as a magazine in 1975, since when it has been published continuously.

Gerald was centrally involved, in 1994, in setting up the Community Security Trust. Today, this is a multi-million-pound charitable organisation providing security and protection to the Jewish community, its schools and synagogues, with Gerald at its head. He has raised over £100 million for charity and personally donated over £30 million himself. He is also the Chair of the Holocaust Memorial Trust.

For Gerald Ronson, the fight against fascism and racism goes back a long way and has been a lifelong commitment.

Our warmest congratulations, Sir Gerald Ronson.


Nick Davies

Nick Davies

To investigate fascists takes real courage and unusual commitment. The government, police, mainstream media occasionally take a look, but in the UK only Searchlight have kept at it, relentlessly and admirably, regardless of threat or obstacle. It’s journalism that matters. A rare thing.

Nick Davies
Multi-award-winning investigative journalist and writer

Paul Holborow

Paul Holborow

In the campaign against the National Front, Searchlight provided a rich and utterly reliable basis for much ANL propaganda – particularly with reference to the two leading NF figures, John Tyndall and Martin Webster. The appearance of Tyndall in full nazi uniform, drawn from the archives of Searchlight, was a key part of ANL propaganda, coupled with deeply damaging nazi quotes from Webster.

Paul Holborow
Founding member of the ANL and National Organiser 1977-81

Alf Dubs

Lord Alf Dubs

Searchlight’s voice is more important than ever, and I am delighted that it will now be available to a wider audience than ever before in its new incarnation online. Searchlight has been extremely helpful over the years in exposing the far right, corruption, criminality and the murky links between organised crime and powerful interests in the UK and abroad. I wish Searchlight the very best.

Alf Dubs
Labour peer, former MP and Cabinet Minister, and Kindertransport child

Peter Hain

Peter Hain, founder of the ANL and friend of Searchlight

British Jews have been persecuted over the centuries; British blacks since the Windrush generation of the 1950s; British Muslims, especially after the Islamist 9/11 and then 7/7 terrorist attacks in New York 2001 and London 2005. But until the last few years there has not been a simultaneous threat against all three British communities of Jewish, Black and Muslim Britons – meaning the need for Searchlight has never been greater.

Peter Hain
Labour peer, former MP and Cabinet Minster

Professor Colin Holmes

Professor Colin Holmes
Everyone who wants to understand contemporary racism and its historical background needs to read Searchlight.
Professor Colin Holmes
University of Sheffield

Paul Nowak

Paul Nowak

The essence of trade unionism is solidarity, fairness and equality – for all workers – from all backgrounds. That’s why our fight against the far-right has always been part of our movement’s DNA. Searchlight is an incredibly important resource for trade unions and members to understand the contemporary tactics of far-right activity. Their work and intelligence gathering over the years have been incredibly insightful for the work we do, and how we fight the scourge of fascism.

Paul Nowak
TUC General Secretary

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One response to “Honour for ex-62 Group fighter”

  1. Dan

    Thank G-d for The CST and Searchlight! When being attacked by Nazis, there is no finer and vital voice at the other end of the telephone than these two World-class Anti-Fascist Organisations. Superb work!