Britain Israel Communications and Research Centre
The Britain Israel Communications and Research Centre (BICOM) is a UK-based organisation which acts to promote awareness of Israel and the Middle East in the United Kingdom. BICOM publishes materials such as briefings and a journal, "Fathom", covering the history, economy, culture and politics of Israel, Middle East peace plans, terrorism in the Middle East, UK-Israel relations and foreign policy. History. BICOM was founded in 2002 by Poju Zabludowicz following the Second Intifada. It is funded through private donations. In 2005, Ruth Smeeth joined as director of public affairs and campaigns. In  2009, it was described as "one of the most persistent and slickest media operations in the battle for influence over opinion formers". Section::::"We Believe in Israel". "We Believe in Israel" is BICOM's pro-Israel advocacy organization in the United Kingdom. The current director is former Labour councillor Luke Akehurst. "We Believe in Israel" provides learning materials to both the Board of Deputies of British Jews and the United Synagogue. It is a member of the Jewish Leadership Council. According to their website, "We Believe in Israel" was launched following the "We Believe in Israel Conference" in London in May  2011, supported by 26 community organisations and attended by 1500 delegates. In the 2010s, the group asked The Co-operative Group to reverse its decision to boycott certain Israeli products. Section::::"Fathom" journal. "Fathom" was founded in 2012 by political theorist Alan Johnson as a quarterly online scholarly journal under the motto: "Fathom: for a deeper understanding of Israel and the region". Martin Sherman of the Israel Institute for Strategic Studies accused "Fathom" in 2016 of "stifling debate" by refusing to publish articles by writers who oppose the two-state solution.