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Vital conversations along the Danube at the WJC PlenaryInternational Division Chair Alex Brummer writes about the 14th World Jewish Congress Plenary in Hungary Last week, and a chance conversation along the River Danube that brought home the threat facing the Jewish community there. Read More
3 great reasons for an anti-Jewish screedFascinating blog by our Interfaith Consultant Rabbi Natan Levy on Church of Scotlands Inheritance of Abraham? report. Read More
Calling everyone who wants to deepen their relationship with Israel this 65th anniversary year! Laura Marks writes about the exciting developments around Closer to Israel, a community-wide project calling on UK Jewry to actively set up events and promote causes which bring us closer to Israel following her 65th Birthday. The Board is taking a lead role alongside the UJIA in running the initiative. Read More
World Jewish leaders meet in BudapestThis year in a break from tradition the World Jewish congress held their conference the 14th in their history in Budapest. Generally now the conferences are held in Jerusalem the spiritual centre of the Jewish people as well as the capital of the country with the largest Jewish community in the world. This year however the WJC chose Budapest after consulting with the Hungarian community as a gesture of solidarity in the face of the increasing threat of anti-Semitism which they are facing. Read More
Statement about stabbing to death of Israeli father in West BankStatement from our President about the stabbing to death of an Israeli father in the West Bank this morning. Read More
Salonika -The Jerusalem of the Balkans facing the past and the futureLast Sunday marked the seventieth anniversary of the deportation and subsequent murder of the Jews of Salonika. Accordingly a ceremony to mark the event was organised in Salonika last Sunday by the World Jewish Congress. The Board\'s President Vivian Wineman writes about it. Read More
The cruel cut of the progressive-Christian boycottHere’s a quiz for you readers: Before boycotting West Bank settlement goods in 2011, when was the last time the UK branch of the Quakers, or Society of Friends as they prefer to be titled, decided to implement a boycott? As the Board\'s Interfaith Consultant Rabbi Natan Levy explains, one has to travel back in history for the answer... Read More
Iran talk fails to dampen AIPAC spiritsWashington played host this week to the annual Policy Conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), which was attended by a record 13,000 participants from every state in the US, and a number from other countries, including our very own Chief Executive Jon Benjamin and Defence Division Chair Jonathan Arkush, who blogs here. Read More
Israel water progress good for allIsrael’s success in desalination means there are now three substantial plants under operation in providing for 25% of her water needs with another two in prospect which will raise the total provided in this way to 50%. Israel moreover is a world leader in desalination. This is a good news story as Vivian explains in his insightful blog Read More
Celebrating with Christians on PurimDeputy Steven Jaffe had an unusual Purim night- celebrating Israel in a London church! He explains, where, how and why in a revealing blog. Read More
No ordinary day in IsraelOur Senior Vice President Laura Marks writes a retrospective about her trip to Israel last week. Read More
Board condemns anti-Israel incidents on campus in Oxford and EssexThe Board has released a statement following anti-Israel incidents at Christ Church college, Oxford and on Essex University campus. Read More
Meeting Peres a priceless window into Israel of now and thenOur meetings with Stanley Fischer and Shimon Peres today were both deeply informative and inspiring. Read More
Learning a lot in LodOur F&O Chair Laurence Brass blogs about day two of the UK Task Force visit to Israel to explore the issues facing her Arab citizens. The day began with a visit to the tomb of England’s patron saint, St. George, in a remote corner of the city of Lod. Read More
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Jaffa shows way aheadOur International Division Chair Alex Brummer writes about his experiences visiting the beautiful port city of Jaffa as part of the UK Task Force, in which British- Jewish community leaders are spending four days learning about minority and interfaith projects in Israel. Our President Vivian Wineman, Senior Vice President Laura Marks and Finance and Organisation Chair Laurence Brass are also on the trip. Read More
Board reaction to Pope Benedict retirementWe have enjoyed a very good relationship with the Catholic Church both under John Paul II and Pope Benedict. We hope and expect this to continue when Pope Benedict\'s successor is announced. Read More
Joint statement about HizballahBulgarian investigators have confirmed that two individuals with links to Hizballah were involved in the bus suicide bomb, that killed five Israelis and a Bulgarian bus driver at Burgas airport on 18 July, 2012. Read More
Murdoch apologises for grotesque cartoonRupert Murdoch has apologised to the Board of Deputies in a letter, following the cartoon by Gerald Scarfe in the Sunday Times. Read More
Board complaint sees Sunday Times relentBoard President Vivian Wineman met the Sunday Times Editor Martin Ivens this afternoon along with other Jewish communal leaders. Mr Wineman said: I was pleased to a attend a meeting with the Acting Editor of the Sunday Times and his colleagues. The meeting showed a unified and effective community and we were gratified to see the positive response from the Sunday Times to the concerns of our community. Read More
Reasons to be fearful: one, two, threeJamie Slavin, our International Division Public Affairs Manager, finds uncomfortably familiar traits are present in the comments made by David Ward MP and the Sunday Times cartoon by Gerald Scarfe. Read More
Board appalled by Sunday Times Cartoon, lodges complaintWe immediately lodged a complaint with the Press Complaints Commission in response to the appalling cartoon by Gerald Scarfe in yesterday\'s Sunday Times. In depicting Benjamin Netanyahu bricking up Palestinians and using blood for mortar it is shockingly reminiscent of the blood libel imagery more usually found in parts of the virulently antisemitic Arab press. Its use is all the more disgusting on Holocaust Memorial Day, given the similar tropes levelled against Jews by the Nazis. Read More
In memory of Miriam FeingoldAs Holocaust Memorial Day approaches, Elizabeth Harris-Sawczenko, our Director of Public Affairs, writes movingly about her mother in law Mera Feingold, a Survivor, who died just over a year ago. Read More
We must act to end political normalisation of racismAs extremist parties gain political traction across Europe, Public Affairs Manager Jamie Slavin argues that we can no longer sit idly by as minorities, including Jews, come under increasing pressure. Read More
Helping our coastal friends face stormy seasSteven Jaffe, the Board’s consultant for community engagement with Israel, discusses his role in supporting Sussex Friends of Israel and the particular challenges which that group faces. Read More
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Limmud provides opportunity to discuss our big challenges Board Vice President and International Division Chair Alex Brummer reflects on Limmud Conference 2012, and the challenges the Jewish community faces against far-right groups across Europe Read More
BDS Own Goal: Footballers and the phantom signaturesAs news emerges that several footballers who supposedly signed an anti-Israel petition never actually consented to their names being included, Jamie Slavin argues that this sad example typifies why cultural boycotts are simply destructive. Read More
Board reaction to upgrade of Palestinian status at UNThe Board of Deputies has consistently maintained that the best way to secure a lasting and just peace for Israelis and Palestinians is through direct negotiations between the two peoples. Unilateral steps, such as the one taken in New York last night to recognise Palestine as a non-member observer at the UN, increase mistrust and once again raise concerns as to whether the Palestinian Authority has any serious intention of negotiating directly with Israel; a concern reinforced by the inflammatory language chosen by President Abbas during his speech. As the British Government stated, a return to the negotiating table without preconditions is the surest way to advance the peace process and bring forward the day when both Palestinians and Israelis can live side by side in security and prosperity. Read More
Interruptions and demonisation - there must be a better wayIn this blog Jamie Slavin reflects on two experiences which brought into sharp focus the difficulties we face in the UK when discussing the situation facing Israelis and Palestinians, but also a distinct hope for a better way. Read More
Board outraged by calls for the creation of a list of Hungarian Jews The Board of Deputies of British Jews is outraged by the call by a member of the Hungarian Jobbik Party for a list to be created of Jews who pose a ‘national security risk’. This directly echoes the measures taken by the wartime Fascist regime whose collaboration with the Nazis ultimately led to the deaths of over 600,000 Hungarian Jews during the Holocaust. It is pure antisemitism of the most disturbing kind. Read our full statement here. Read More
President welcomes Gilad Shalit to LondonLast Friday Board President Vivian Wineman and Public Affairs Manager Jamie Slavin attended a reception at the Israeli Ambassador’s residence to thank the Board and other communal organisations for their contribution to the campaign to free Gilad Shalit. The guest of honour was Gilad Shalit himself. Click here to see photos! Read More
Board condemns terrorist attack in Tel AvivThe Board of Deputies’ sadness regarding the current situation in Israel and Gaza is further compounded by the news this morning that terrorists have blown up a bus in Tel Aviv. Attacks such as this, targeting only civilians, remind us of why Israel needs to act in the self defence of her citizens. As British Jews we are reminded of the attacks against civilians in London in 2005 and the fear that these cause; our thoughts are with all those affected and we pray for a quick end to such atrocities. Read More
Israel under attack - No one should learn to live like thisAs the first Hamas missile reached Tel Aviv last night, Elizabeth Harris-Sawczenko thinks back to her own experience of being under missile fire in Israel. Read More
Statement on current situation in Southern Israel and GazaThis morning the British Jewish community awoke to the news of the death of three Israeli civilians in an indiscriminate missile attack against Kiryat Malachi. This deadly incident was the latest of hundreds of such attacks against one million Israeli citizens in Southern Israel over the last few weeks. Since the start of 2012 over 800 missiles have been fired by Hamas and other Gazan terror groups towards Israel, with 300 in the last week alone. All schools within a forty kilometre radius of Gaza have been closed. No country in the world would be expected to tolerate such attacks. Israel has a duty to protect her people and the Board of Deputies supports her right to do so. Read our full statement here. Read More
International community silent as rockets rain down on IsraelOver 70 rockets and mortars have been fired from Gaza into Israel over the past 24 hours. Yet the voice of the international community is silent in an apparent double standard following international condemnation of Syrian attacks on Turkey only last week. Read More
All’s well that ends wellElizabeth Harris-Sawczenko reflects on a job well done as a two year campaign culminates in the European Parliament passing legislation which will mean more affordable Israeli medicines for European citizens. Read More
European Parliament secures cheaper Israeli medicines for EU citizensYesterday evening, following a campaign by the Board of Deputies and partner organisations across Europe, the EU passed an Agreement on Conformity Assessment and Acceptance (ACAA) with Israel. The decision by MEPs, by 379 votes to 230, with 41 abstentions, will guarantee that some of the leading drugs in the world, developed and produced by Israel, will now reach European patients quicker and at more affordable prices. Read More
If only Gilad Shalit’s freedom had changed the Middle EastJamie Slavin reflects on the release of Gilad Shalit one year ago and considers the change it could have precipitated. Read More
The EU-Israel ACAA: This is no time for playing politics Jamie Slavin, Public Affairs Manager, explains why the European Parliament must pass a piece of legislation which would provide more affordable Israeli medicines for EU citizens. Read More
A brave decision on Israel from MEPsFollowing the decision of the European Parliament International Trade Committee to pass a piece of legislation forging stronger ties between the EU and Israel, Public Affairs Manager Jamie Slavin salutes the bravery of MEPs in the face of anti-Israel lobbying. Read More
Board expresses horror at terror attack in FranceThe Board of Deputies is horrified by the bomb attack yesterday at a Jewish shop in Paris. Read More
Statement on attack against Latrun MonasteryThe Board of Deputies of British Jews echoes the condemnation by the Israeli government of the recent ‘price-tag’ attack on the historic Monastery at Latrun. Read More
The Co-op needs to remember its ethicsThe Board’s Public Affairs Manager Jamie Slavin highlights that lack of ethics underpinning the Co-op’s boycott of Israeli companies. Read More
Modi’in is not an illegal settlement!In this guest blog, Simon Plosker dismisses the idea that the Israeli town of Modi’in can be considered as being anywhere but sovereign Israel. Read More
Remember the stranger.....Not all of the Board’s work is about the major stories of the day, the communal politics, the big issues. Sometimes it’s the little things that really count. In this blog the Board’s Chief Executive Jon Benjamin explores one such case, an incredible story of how one woman found a safe haven in the UK, with the Board’s help. Read More
UK’s Israel Envoy visits the BoardOn Monday the Board of Deputies was delighted to welcome H.E Ambassador Matthew Gould, British Ambassador to the State of Israel, to the Board for an off the record briefing. Ambassador Gould met the Board’s Honorary Officers, members of its International Division and professional staff. Read More
A misjudgement of Olympic proportionsThe Board’s Chief Executive, Jon Benjamin, reflects on the start of the London Olympics, the IOC’s decision not to commemorate the murder of 11 Israeli atheletes in 1972 and looks forward to the official commemoration on 6 August organised by Israel. Read More
Bravo to the EU!Jamie Slavin applauds the EU’s decision to deepen cooperation with Israel across a range of policy areas, highlighting the fact that at a time when Europe faces more threats than ever before, it would be foolish to push away an important ally. Read More
The Church of England failed to live up to its responsibilityThe Board’s Public Affairs Manager, Jamie Slavin, reflects on his experiences of the Church of England’s General Synod, at which a motion endorsing the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel was passed. Read More
One Minute for MunichLaura Marks, Senior Vice President of the Board, reflects on why it is so important for the Olympics to mark the 40th anniversary of the murder of 11 Israeli athletes at the 1972 Games. Read More
Board outraged by terrorist attack against Israelis in BulgariaToday the Board of Deputies of British Jews, together with the people of Israel and World Jewry, mourns the death of seven innocent people, including six Israelis citizens, following a terrorist attack in Burgas, Bulgaria. Read More
Statement from the President of the Board of Deputies of British JewsThe President of the Board of Deputies has released a statement following the Church of England General Synod’s endorsement of the EAPPI programme. Read the full statement here: Read More
Cheaper medicines for all - pass the ACAA!European citizens deserve the best medicines at the most affordable prices. By passing a simple piece of technical legislation, an Agreement on Conformity Assessment and Acceptance, the European Parliament will give Europeans better and cheaper access to medicines produced by Israel, amongst the very best in the world. To find out how you can help ensure that the ACAA is passed, read on! Read More
Chief Rabbi Lord Sacks “deeply concerned” by EAPPI motionThe Chief Rabbi Lord Sacks has released a statement expressing deep concern regarding the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel. Read his full statement here. Read More
Board saddened by death of Yitzhak ShamirThe Board of Deputies of British Jews notes with sadness the passing of former Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir at the age of 96. Read More
Board statement on continued rocket attacks against Southern IsraelThe Board of Deputies of British Jews condemns in the strongest of terms over 40 rocket and mortar attacks yesterday and overnight on innocent Israeli citizens in Southern Israel. Read More
Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI) – Motion at General Synod 2012A motion has been tabled at the Church Of England’s General Synod in York (10 July 2012) which seeks to formally adopt and deepen the Church’s links with the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI). This is a grave concern as EAPPI helps create a climate of hostility to Israel in churches. Find out more and what you can do to help here: Read More
An Attack on Co-ExistenceThe Board’s Treasurer, Laurence Brass, responds to the ‘price tag’ attack against the Israeli co-existence school Neve Shalom Wahat al-Salam. Read More
Board condemns ‘price tag’ attack on schoolThe Board of Deputies of British Jews condemns in the strongest terms the attack last night on the Neve Shalom Peace Village. Read More
The Bard and the BoycottersThe Board’s Vice President, Jonathan Arkush, celebrates an evening of culture, and pride, as Israeli theatre company Habima perform at the Globe Theatre in London. Read More
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The challenges we will faceThe Board’s new Vice President, and Chairman of the International Division, Alex Brummer, identifies the political and economic challenges which may shape attitudes towards Jews around the world. Read More
Abandoned but not forgotten: 11 year after the Dolphinarium bombingJamie Slavin reflects on the impact of the Dolphinarium suicide bombing in Tel Aviv eleven years ago. Read More
Measure for Measure: Respect works both waysThe Board’s Public Affairs and Policy Director, Elizabeth Harris-Sawczenko, reflects on the irony that as Habima’s performance in London is disrupted by protesters, a Palestinian theatre company based in Haifa, and directed by an Arab citizen of Israel known for his radical position against the legitimacy of the State of Israel, stages a play at the Bush Theatre but does not suffer the same lack of respect. Read More
You shall love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of EgyptHow ironic - yesterday was Shavuot when we celebrated the story of Ruth - a woman who was a poor stranger in a strange land, who belonged to a people in conflict with the Jewish people, and yet was embraced by her Jewish mother-in-law Naomi, married Boaz and received one of the greatest honours ever bestowed upon a gentile in Jewish history - she became the great grandmother of King David! How different to the way in which we witnessed ‘strangers’ living in the modern State of Israel being targeted only a couple of nights ago on the streets of Tel Aviv. Read More
A One Minute Silence for MunichThe IOC have so far resisted direct call from the Israeli Government and others to show the simple decency of observing a minute’s silence at the games in memory of the Israeli team members murdered 40 years ago in Munich in what was an attack on the Olympic ideal as well as a massacre of innocents. However, the calls for a minute’s silence remain and MPs are being asked to sign Early Day Motion 100 in support. Read More
Board President holds meeting with Swiss AmbassadorVivian Wineman, President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, has met with His Excellency Mr Anton Thalmann, the Swiss Ambassador to the UK, and Mr Urs Schmid, Deputy Head of Mission, to raise the community’s concerns regarding the Swiss Government’s decision to issue visas to members of the terrorist group Hamas. Read More
The Co-Operative’s policy on boycott - an Israeli response The Co-op justifies its latest boycotting policies on “broad international consensus”. Here Noru Tsalic, an Israeli living in the UK, puts that concept under the spotlight in a letter to the Co-op’s regional secretary, and asks whether the Co op is acting in a consistent and ethical manner. Read More
Israel trumps the recession!At last month’s International Monetary Fund meetings in Washington (from which I recently returned) among the star turns was the governor of the Israeli central bank Stanley Fischer. A former deputy managing director of the IMF Fischer, a renowned MIT economist, was treated like a conquering hero by a gathering of policymakers, economists and senior journalists at a lunch convened by the Fund at headquarters a couple of city blocks from the White House. Read More
Benzion Netanyahu
The Board of Deputies of British Jews extends deep condolences to the Prime Minister of the State of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu on the passing of his beloved father Benzion Netanyahu, who died early Monday morning at the age of 102. Read More
The Board of Deputies of British Jews extends deep condolences to the Prime Minister of the State of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu on the passing of his beloved father Benzion Netanyahu, who died early Monday morning at the age of 102. Read More
Yom Ha’atzmaut: Israel celebrates her 64th birthdayYesterday we shared in the sorrow of Israel’s fallen soldiers, bereaved families and victims of terror. From those depths of sadness, today we celebrate with joy and pride the outstanding achievements of the State of Israel and its people during their 64 years of independence. Read More
Health before hate: Why increased links to Israel are good for EU citizensThe motivation of those who advocate boycotts of Israeli goods, cultural events or academics is baffling. Many actually believe that they are somehow helping to promote peace, but how can driving a wedge between Israelis and Palestinians possibly be the best way to secure a better future for all. Even more bizarre is the idea that the best way to encourage peace is by denying European citizens the best medical care possible. And yet that is exactly what anti-Israel groups are currently trying to do. Read More
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A French EncounterLast Wednesday I attended a meeting between European Jewish Congress leaders and Mr Francois Hollande, the leader of the French Socialist Party and currently the favourite in the opinion polls for the forthcoming Presidential election. It was a fairly intimate meeting. The only attendees on our side, apart from EJC staff, were the President of the EJC Moshe Kantor, the leaders of the French and German communities and me. On the other side were Hollande himself and his campaign manager, Pierre Moscovici. Read More
Board welcomes Rabbi Pinchas GoldschmidtThe Board of Deputies was delighted to host Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, Chief Rabbi of Moscow and President of the Conference of European Rabbis, for a breakfast with Deputies. Read More
Understanding Poland’s Jewish PastOn Thursday, 15 March, I took part in a panel organised by the Polish Embassy. The broad topic was ‘Polish Understanding of the Holocaust and the Jewish Reactions To it’. More particularly, they wished to focus on how British Jews viewed the Polish reaction to the Holocaust, both whilst it was taking place and subsequently. Read More
Desecration of graves in FranceThe Board of Deputies was appalled by the desecration of thirty Jewish graves at a cemetery in Nice, France this weekend. Following the tragic murder of four Jewish people outside a school in Toulouse last week, this is a reminder, as if one was needed, that we must continue to fight extremism. We stand with our friends in France who continue to endure the pain of the last week’s events and call upon the authorities to swiftly apprehend those responsible. Read More
Board delegation to the Cypriot High CommissionLast week the President of the Board of Deputies led a delegation to meet with the Cypriot High Commissioner to the UK, in advance of Cyprus’ Presidency of the European Union, commencing in July. The Board meets the Ambassadors or High Commissioners of all incoming EU Presidency countries, in order to convey to them issues of concern to the UK Jewish community and Jews across Europe. Read More
Council Boycotts of Veolia - Illegal!News reached us last week that, despite the best efforts of those who love to sow discord, trade and cooperation between the UK and Israel are, in fact, on the increase. Up 34% in 2011, trade figures reached £3.75 billion. I’m no economist, but that seems like a lot of trade. Read More
Flexing our musclesIt is often said that there is more truth in the adverts than in the news. Adverts show cars that work and drinks that cheer, whereas newspapers dwell on the minority of cases when things go wrong. It is the same with communities. A community that is vibrant with religious and cultural events makes less news than one beset by anti-Semitism, divided leadership and broken morale. Read More
Statement on Baroness Ashton commentsThe following statement has been released by Jon Benjamin, CEO Board of Deputies; Richard Benson, CEO CST; Jeremy Newmark, CEO JLC and John Mann MP, on behalf of the All-Party Parliamentary Group Against Antisemitism: “Baroness Ashton’s remarks were both crass and wholly inappropriate. The loss of young, innocent lives anywhere is of course appalling, but the attempt to draw parallels between Toulouse and Gaza was deeply, offensive and unworthy of a person in her position.” Read More
Board condemns ‘Global March to Jerusalem’The Board of Deputies notes with sadness plans for a ‘Global March to Jerusalem’ later this month. Once again those who claim to support the Palestinians have revealed themselves to be more concerned with delegitimising the State of Israel than finding a just peace for all. It is of little surprise that the organisers of this stunt are amongst the most extreme members of the anti-Israel movement, and that Hamas, a terrorist group committed to the destruction of the State of Israel, is supporting the initiative. Read More
Attack at French Jewish SchoolWe are shocked and appalled by the senseless murder of four people, including three children, outside the Ozar HaTorah Jewish school in Toulouse, France. This attack is a terrible reminder of the threat which minorities, across Europe, face from extremists of all political persuasions. All right minded people must unite to reject their baseless hatred and bring whoever is responsible for this attack to justice. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. Read More
Israel suffers a weekend of missile attacksOver 150 rockets have rained down on Southern Israel over the weekend, resulting in a complete cessation of normal life for innocent Israeli civilians in the region, with one million people being forced to take refuge in bomb shelters. This is unacceptable and cannot continue. We reaffirm Israel’s right to self-defence and to protect her citizens from these acts of terror, as all right minded people should. We pray for all of the innocent victims. Read More
Israel - it’s not black and whiteI went to boarding school in apartheid Rhodesia and edited newspapers and wrote books under the constraints of South Africa’s apartheid system. As British university campuses are in the throes of marking “Israel Apartheid Week”, it bears reflecting on what apartheid really meant and why it is obscene that the apartheid descriptor has become the default position for the global delegitimisation campaign against Israel. Read More
Leading the Revolution: Bedouin Women’s EmpowermentIf the Board of Deputies ever wants a lesson on women’s empowerment and how to rise above a patriarchal system they need look no further than the women of SIDREH, a non-profit organization established to improve the socio-economic situation of Bedouin women in the Negev Region. As an Executive member of the UK Task Force Delegation on Issues Relating to Arab Citizens of Israel, I travelled to the Negev with other members of the Board’s leadership and Task Force participants (comprised of a cross communal group of its membership organizations) to learn about the Bedouin community and its specific challenges. Read More
Baroness Tonge resigns Lib Dem whipEarlier today the Board of Deputies condemned comments by Baroness Tonge that ‘Israel is not going to be there forever’ as “sinister and abhorrent”. Baroness Tonge has now resigned the Liberal Democrat whip in the House of Lords after refusing to retract the comment. Reacting to this news, Jon Benjamin, Chief Executive of the Board of Deputies, commented that “This has been a long time in coming and her position has frankly been untenable for some time. Allegations of Jewish political control, organ harvesting and sympathy for terrorists should have no place in the politics of a party that is now part of the government.” Read More
A pointless evening in HendonReally, what’s the point? Last week I attended an ‘Israel Apartheid Week’ event at Middlesex University. The event was called ‘The Big Debate: Is Israel an apartheid state?”When an event describes itself as a ‘big debate’, you can be pretty sure it’s going to be nothing of the sort and, predictably, the panel consisted of three people with near identical views. Read More
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Wanderings in the NegevWhen it comes to Middle East reporting the central narrative has for several decades been Israel-Palestine. But for the past year, since the start of the Arab Spring (Israeli sources prefer to call it the Arab Winter or Arab Tempest), it is the rest of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) from Egypt to Bahrain, from Syria to Libya, that have been in the limelight. Read More
The Night I Will Never ForgetOn Tuesday evening, 9 September 2003, a Palestinian suicide bomber approached Café Hillel coffee shop in the German Colony neighborhood of Jerusalem. Security guard Alon Mizrahi attempted to prevent the bomber from entering when he blew himself up. At 11:20 pm the suicide bomber detonated the explosive device he carried on his body. Just another bombing in what had become a common place occurrence in the lives of Jerusalemites that year... Except for me this was deeply personal. Read More
Ten years on from the March of terrorYou may not realise it, but we are approaching a poignant anniversary in Israel’s history. Ten years ago her citizens experienced the most intense period of terrorism that they have ever had to endure. In March 2002, there were fifteen suicide bombings. On the 27th of that month, thirty people were murdered when a suicide bomber blew himself up during the Passover Seder meal at the Park Hotel in Netanya. It took the total number of ordinary Israelis murdered in March to over one hundred. Read More
Board reacts to attacks on Israeli EmbassiesThe Board of Deputies of British Jews is shocked and appalled by the terrorist attack against the Israeli Embassy in New Delhi. This attack reminds us that Israel, in her struggle for peace and security, must continually endure the threat of violence by those who wish to see nothing but bloodshed. Read More
Board’s International Division meets with Israeli charitiesThe International Division of the Board has met with David Bradichanski, an acclaimed musician in Israel and an activist for a charity representing victims of terror. Their current campaign involves taking legal action against banks which transfer funds to terror organisations complicit in the murder of Israelis. Read More
Board Concerned by Archbishop Christmas MessageTo compare the situation of Palestinian Christians to that of the Founder of their Faith is not only totally unfair but also plays to the worst elements of anti-Israel propaganda. Read More
Praise From An Unexpected QuarterAs the representative body of the community the Board’s position is often thankless. The community is so varied, contains so many views and its members so passionate that we are often damned if we do and damned if we don’t. To be honest, we wouldn’t have it any other way. Read More
Statement on Shechita in the NetherlandsDeputies will have heard recent misleading reports about the situation regarding Shechita in the Netherlands which, while very encouraging, is not as clear cut as it has been portrayed. Read More
Pinch your nose diplomacy: Engaging with the UN HRCAs a supporter of Israel I’m all too aware of the flaws of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC).It was founded in 2006 as the successor to the Human Rights Committee - an attempt to reform a body which had become too politicized. Well, that went well…. Read More
OneVoice Europe: Bridging the Israel-Palestine divide in LondonDuring One Voice Europe’s (OVE) November educational tour, youth leaders Shir Lachish, 25, from Tel-Aviv, and Thuraya Aghbar, 21, from Nablus, reached out to London schools and communities with the aim of promoting a pro-solution dialogue. Read More
BUYcott, don’t boycott!!Reject boycotts, join our BUYcott! The Board, in conjunction with StandWithUs UK, is organising a BUYcott of Israeli goods on 23 and 24 November. Make sure you buy something Israeli over those two days to show your support for Israel. Read More
Board Statement: Board President Awarded the Samaritan Peace and Humanitarian MedalMr Vivian Wineman, the President of the Board of Deputies, has become the 2011 recipient of the Samaritan Medal for Peace, Humanitarian and Academic Achievements. Read More
Judged by the friends you keep...? The Palestinian Mission to the UKI regard myself as an optimist when it comes to the Middle East Peace Process. However naïve it may be, I like to look for the best in the situation we face. So, whilst it is clear to me that in the extremist, antisemitic Hamas, Israel has no partner for peace, I hope that in the more moderate Palestinian Authority of Mahmood Abbas, Israel does. Read More
Address by H.E. Mr Daniel Taub, Israeli Ambassador to the UKThe new Israeli Ambassador to the UK, H.E. Mr Daniel Taub, addressed the Board of Deputies at the Board’s last plenary meeting. You can read the full text of his address here. Read More
Mr Netanyahu, Mr Sarkozy, Mr Obama and the Guardian ...I can’t help musing ... what if the shoe were on the other foot and Binyamin Netanyahu was the statesman who had been overheard ranting about one of his international counterparts? Just how would the world be reacting? A brush under the carpet or a hypocritical, exaggerated outrage? Read More
Board Statement: UNESCO admits Palestinian Authority as memberThe Board of Deputies of British Jews is disappointed that, just a day after Israel was subjected to a weekend of rocket attacks from Gaza, UNESCO has deemed fit to admit the Palestinian Authority as a new member. Read More
Ferrero Rocher anyone?One of the perks of my job at the Board of Deputies is the opportunity to attend meetings at foreign embassies. Embassy buildings tend to be amongst the most impressive in London, both inside and out, and I have had the privilege to spend time in some historically amazing places. Read More
Board Statement: Gilad Shalit is homeGilad Shalitʼs momentous release today will go down in the annals of Israeli and Jewish history as a day of contrasting sentiment. Read More
Gilad Shalit: From Struggle to Joy Through HopeOn Tuesday 19 October 2011, I, like so many, was fixated on the unfolding events that culminated in Gilad Shalit’s first steps of freedom in over five years. Read More
Gilad Shalit - A Bold Statement Against TerrorSince the news broke that a deal has been struck to free Gilad Shalit, it’s all seemed a little surreal. Read More
Board Statement: Board Welcomes News of Impending Gilad Shalit ReleaseIt is fitting that on the eve of Sukkot, the Jewish festival of rejoicing, we celebrate news of the imminent release of Gilad Shalit. Read More
Israel is better than the extremistsI was angered to read of the arson attack against a mosque in the north of Israel. Those who committed this disgraceful act have been condemned by Israel’s Prime Minister, President and Leader of the Opposition, and rightly so. Violence, and especially violence against a place of worship, is to be abhorred wherever, and whenever, it takes place. But there is something especially unnerving about attacks such as these. Read More
Durban Revisited: The Theatre of the AbsurdIts Durban again! But this time we are proud to say that our Government, for the first time, did not take part in the proceedings. For the uninitiated, yesterday marked the 10 year commemoration of the notorious Durban World Conference Against Racism held in 2001 that became synonymous with displays of antisemitism and extreme anti-Zionism. Read More
Human rights through the looking glassZimbabwe is “a tolerant and peace-loving country.” Only in the fantasy ‘Alice through the looking glass’ world that is the UN, and more particularly the Durban III conference, could someone say this with a straight face and expect his audience to agree. Whether it was this comment, or the serial demonisation of Israel at successive Durban conferences that prompted his reaction, Amnesty International’s representative, Jose Luis Diaz, accused many participating countries of being in a ʼstate of denialʼ about human rights abuses and racism in their countries, saying nations were using the conference to ʼscore political points.ʼ Read More
Board Statement: UDI LatestThe Board and the JLC have written to both the Prime Minister David Cameron and the Shadow Foreign Secretary Douglas Alexander restating the Jewish community\'s opposition to a Palestinian unilateral declaration of independence. We believe that the only route to achieve a lasting peace is via negotiations. The Board is concerned and disappointed at the statement issued by the Opposition this week endorsing the Palestinian bid for statehood at the UN. Read More
Ok kids, in a circle, it’s story time with the PSCThe Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) is an odious organisation. Whilst claiming to campaign for Palestinian rights, their activities seem to be more focussed on demonising Israel and Israelis. They choose division over dialogue and, increasingly, their members have crossed the line between criticism of the Israeli government and, simply put, the language of hate. Read More
The Day AfterSo here we are nearly two decades after the Oslo accords were signed, witnessing yet another milestone in Palestinian-Israeli relations. I refer of course to the presentation by President Mahmoud Abbas of a resolution to the United Nations this week requesting the international community to endorse Palestinian statehood through a Unilateral Declaration of Independence. Read More
Universal Jurisdiction
We are delighted that the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill incorporating a section protecting visitors to this country from malicious and politically motivated arrests has now been passed and is part of the law of the land. We are grateful to the government for delivering on their promise to pass this and would like to acknowledge the efforts of the various communal groups, in particular the JLC, Board of Deputies and Friends of Israel groups that have helped to ensure the safe passage of the bill. Read More
We are delighted that the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill incorporating a section protecting visitors to this country from malicious and politically motivated arrests has now been passed and is part of the law of the land. We are grateful to the government for delivering on their promise to pass this and would like to acknowledge the efforts of the various communal groups, in particular the JLC, Board of Deputies and Friends of Israel groups that have helped to ensure the safe passage of the bill. Read More
Statement on British Withdrawal from Durban IIIThe Board of Deputies of British Jews applauds the UK Government’s decision not to attend the 10th Anniversary Commemoration Conference of the Durban Process, commonly known as Durban III. Read More
JerusalemThe final status of Jerusalem is one of the most intractable features of one of the most intractable international disputes of our time. We all have our own very personal views as to what should and what might in fact happen in any final negotiated settlement. But ultimately these will be matters for the Israeli government and their Palestinian counterparts to determine, if there is to be an agreed and lasting peace. Read More
Back to the Future or From London to Jerusalem and BackReflections on my life in Israel; on being back in the Diaspora, and working at the Board of Deputies. Read More