Reacting to reports of a shooting at a kosher supermarket in New Jersey, Marie van der Zyl, President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews said: “Our hearts go out to the victims of this heinous attack. While the motive remains unclear, this murderous assault on the Jewish community of New Jersey will be […]
Read more >>>
Around 400 people gathered at Buckingham Palace last night for a pre-Chanukah reception organised by The Prince of Wales to celebrate the UK’s Jewish community’s contribution to all areas of British life. The guests were invited from organisations around the country with the focus on those who, through their community work and volunteering efforts, make […]
Read more >>>
Board of Deputies Vice President Amanda Bowman has responded to remarks made by Labour candidate for Birmingham Hall Green, Tahir Ali at a meeting this week. Amanda said: “At a hustings event in Birmingham Hall Green last week, Tahir Ali, the Labour candidate, claimed that cases of antisemitism from Liberal Democrats and Conservatives had not […]
Read more >>>
Parliamentary candidates from across the UK’s main political parties have expressed public support for the Board of Deputies’ Ten Commitments, which outlines key pledges on issues important to both the Jewish community and society at large. The pledges include ‘opposing extremism and hate crime’, ‘defending the right to a Jewish way of life’ and ‘supporting […]
Read more >>>
Board of Deputies Senior Vice President Sheila Gewolb has reacted to the decision of the French National Assembly to adopt the internationally recognised definition of antisemitism. Sheila said: “We warmly welcome the French National Assembly’s adoption of the IHRA definition of antisemitism. It will bring invaluable clarity and consistency in understanding prosecuting contemporary antisemitism, which […]
Read more >>>
Board of Deputies of British Jews President Marie van der Zyl has reacted to Jeremy Corbyn’s comments made to Philip Schofield on ITV today. Marie said: “In an appearance on ITV, after again being asked five times for an apology on his party’s inability to deal with the antisemitism in its ranks, Mr Corbyn finally […]
Read more >>>
Board of Deputies Vice President Amanda Bowman has commented on the news that the University of Bristol has adopted the internationally recognised definition of antisemitism: She said: “Bristol University has taken an important first step towards protecting Jewish students, academics and staff in adopting the IHRA definition of antisemitism in full. The definition, with its […]
Read more >>>The following prospective parliamentary candidates have signed up to our Ten Commitments, summarising the UK Jewish community’s positions on a number of key policy areas: We encourage other candidates to follow suit by tweeting a picture of themselves holding a printed version of the Ten commitments (below, as well as on page five of our […]
Read more >>>
Board of Deputies President Marie van der Zyl has responded to the call for a ban on Halal meat by Green Party Co-Leader Jonathan Bartley. Marie said: “We have emerged from the Sabbath to learn that Green Party Co-Leader Jonathan Bartley has called for a ban on Halal meat, which could also have consequences for […]
Read more >>>
Board of Deputies President Marie van der Zyl has responded to the claim of Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn, made at his party’s Race and Faith Manifesto launch, that antisemitism “will not be tolerated whatsoever” under a Labour Government. Marie van der Zyl said: “Most in our community will find it impossible to trust Jeremy Corbyn […]
Read more >>>
Board of Deputies Vice President Amanda Bowman has commented on the news that University College London adopted the IHRA definition of antisemitism: She said: “UCL has taken an important step towards protecting Jewish students, academics and staff in adopting the IHRA definition of antisemitism. After a long process, it is promising to see the full […]
Read more >>>
Board of Deputies Senior Vice President Sheila Gewolb has condemned the treatment of China’s Uighar Muslims by the country’s government. She said: “These reports of psychological torture and brainwashing are just the latest in a series of disturbing and sinister revelations about the treatment of Uighur Muslims by the government of China. Because of our […]
Read more >>>
Click below to watch a stream of the November 24th Board of Deputies meeting.
Read more >>>
The Board of Deputies of British Jews has commented on suspended Plaid Cymru activist Sahar Al-Saifi. A spokeperson said: “As Sahar Al-Faifi has dragged us in to the row over her social media posts, we would like to clarify some facts. We met Sahar Al-Faifi to confront her over concerns we had over antisemitic social […]
Read more >>>Ahead of next month’s General Election, The Board of Deputies today launches its Jewish Manifesto designed to ensure that all the political parties take the concerns of Britain’s 300,000-strong Jewish community into account when setting out their own proposals for government. The Jewish Manifesto is a comprehensive policy document for the community covering policy areas […]
Read more >>>
Board of Deputies President Marie van der Zyl has condemned statements made by the Conservative candidate for Leeds North East, Amjad Bashir. Marie said: “We are extremely concerned at the language used by Amjad Bashir, the Conservative candidate for Leeds North East, who described British Jews travelling to Israel and returning as ‘brainwashed extremists’, blaming […]
Read more >>>
Actor Tracy-Ann Oberman presents an emotional account of why she and others featured in this film – including Rachel Riley, Lord Mann and Dame Louise Ellman – are deeply concerned about antisemitism and why they believe we need to act against the racists.
Read more >>>
The Board of Deputies is proud to announce ‘Teaching Judaism GCSE’, a conference for everything you need in order to deliver Judaism GCSE to a high standard. This essential one-day conference, which includes panels, workshops, lectures and interactive sessions, will be delivered by leading Jewish authorities in Religious Education and representatives from the exam boards. […]
Read more >>>
Responding to news of an intense barrage of rockets fired on Israeli towns from the Gaza Strip, Senior Vice-President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews Sheila Gewolb said: “Our thoughts and prayers go out to communities in Israel in the range of the latest bombardment from terrorists in the Gaza Strip. We call […]
Read more >>>
Senior Vice President Sheila Gewolb has condemned the desecration of Jewish graves in Denmark. Sheila said: “The desecration of up to 80 graves in a the 200-year old Jewish cemetery in Denmark over this past weekend, on the anniversary of Kristallnacht, is another example of the worrying and dangerous growth of antisemitism throughout Europe. We […]
Read more >>>
Board of Deputies President Marie van der Zyl has condemned a graffiti attack in Canvey island, Essex, after cars and garages in the area were branded with swastikas. Marie said: “This is an appalling hate attack, presumably aimed at Canvey Island’s flourishing Jewish community. Hopefully the police will be able to identify and prosecute the […]
Read more >>>
Board of Deputies President Marie van der Zyl has reacted to the decision By Labour’s ruling National Executive Council not to allow Chris Williamson MP to stand for election as a Labour candidate in his Derby North constituency. She said: “The NEC ruling to bar Chris Williamson MP from standing again in Derby North is […]
Read more >>>
Former Prime Minister Tony Blair last night told a packed Board of Deputies of British Jews President’s dinner that antisemitism in Labour was “absolutely killing the party”. Mr Blair was in conversation with broadcaster Natasha Kaplinsky at a central London location in front of an audience of more than 400. Also attending were Home Secretary […]
Read more >>>
Following the Work and Pensions Select Committee’s call for the Government to end the two-child cap on welfare payments, Board of Deputies Chief Executive Gillian Merron said: “The Work and Pensions Select Committee is unambiguous in its recommendation that the two-child cap should be abolished, due to the flawed assumptions underpinning it and the misery […]
Read more >>>
Politicians from all parties put disputes about Brexit and elections aside to come together in social action and support Mitzvah Day. MPs and Peers from the Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat parties, as well as The Independent Group for Change, united for the Parliamentary launch of Mitzvah Day 2019 – making gift bags out of […]
Read more >>>
Board of Deputies President Marie van der Zyl has condemned an attack on Chatham Memorial Synagogue cemetery in Rochester, Kent. Marie said: “This disgraceful antisemitic vandalism will cause huge upset to the families of those buried in the cemetery and to all right-thinking people. The low lives who perpetrated this hateful attack should face the […]
Read more >>>
The Board of Deputies has partnered with Facebook and the Community Security Trust to produce a resource about how to tackle antisemitism on the social media platform. The resource, launched in Parliament on Wednesday night as part of National Hate Crime Awareness Week, explains what antisemitism is, how Facebook’s community guidelines work, and the tools […]
Read more >>>
President of the Board of Deputies Marie van der Zyl has reacted to the decision of longstanding Labour MP Louise Ellman to resign from the party. Marie said: “This is a damning indictment of Labour. Louise Ellman has been a devoted member of the party for over a half a century. With yet another Jewish […]
Read more >>>
German Ambassador Peter Wittig has written to Board of Deputies President Marie van der Zyl to “extend heartfelt thanks to you all for the many moving expressions of sympathy and friendship my country has received over the tragic deaths of two innocent bystanders.” You can read the full letter here.
Read more >>>
The Board of Deputies has made two new appointments to further enhance its dynamic public affairs team. Joining the staff team as Public Affairs Officer will be Daniel Sugarman, the Jewish Chronicle journalist who has become well known for his outstanding political reporting on all matters affecting the Jewish community as well as his prolific […]
Read more >>>
The Board of Deputies of British Jews is looking for a highly motivated individual to work as the Membership Coordinator for Eco Synagogue, a project managed by the organisation. The post-holder is responsible for promoting the work of Eco Synagogue across the Jewish community, engaging new and existing member synagogues in the project, and managing […]
Read more >>>Board of Deputies President Marie van der Zyl has welcomed the High Court’s rejection of Chris Williamson’s bid to have his suspension from Labour overturned. She said: “The High Court’s rejection of Chris Williamson’s bid for reinstatement leaves two remaining questions: Why Labour took so long to suspend him in the first place and why […]
Read more >>>
Board of Deputies President Marie van der Zyl has condemned a gun attack which has killed two people in the German city of Halle. Marie said: “This is an appalling far-right motivated murder perpetrated on Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the year for Jews, against innocent worshippers as well as diners in a kebab […]
Read more >>>
Board of Deputies President Marie van der Zyl has condemned a vote of no confidence tabled against Labour MP Louise Ellman to be heard at a constituency meeting on Yom Kippur – the Jewish Day of Atonement. Marie said: “That a Jewish MP should be threatened with a vote of no confidence tabled for Yom […]
Read more >>>
Board of Deputies President Marie van der Zyl has called on Polish President Andrzej Duda to retract a statement in which he blames the Israeli Government for increasing antisemitism in Poland Marie said: Blaming the Israeli government for increasing antisemitism in Poland is outrageous. Antisemitism and any other form of xenophobia can never be justified. […]
Read more >>>
Sixteen mentors have been accepted onto a Board of Deputies pilot scheme to provide Judaism education to the wider community. The graduates of the scheme, who have passed a rigorous application and screening process, were given their certificates in a ceremony at the Board of Deputies offices in London, attended by Board of Deputies President […]
Read more >>>
Last year, my Rosh Hashanah message told of the way the Jewish community came together to proclaim in a loud and firm voice, “Enough is Enough” on antisemitism in the Labour Party. Since then, the antisemitism crisis has not gone away. However, our campaign against those who pursue this most ancient form of racism has […]
Read more >>>
Board of Deputies Senior Vice President Sheila Gewolb has condemned Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan for comparing the situation in Gaza to the Holocaust. Sheila said: “The comparison between the situation in Gaza and the horrors of the Shoah, the systematic murder of six million people, is vile. Turkey’s President Erdogan should apologise for the comments […]
Read more >>>
The UK’s Jewish community will not suffer a Etrog-free Sukkot (Festival of Tabernacles) this year, thanks to coordination between the Board of Deputies, the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), and leading etrog-importer Stephen Colman. The first batch of etrogs for this year’s festival was seized by Animal and Plant Health Agency […]
Read more >>>
Ahead of Rosh Hashanah, the Board of Deputies of British Jews has announced its support for the Jewish Council for Racial Equality (JCORE) letter to the government on social justice issues. The letter makes six key asks: 1. Allow asylum seekers the right to work 2. Reunite refugee families 3. Create a properly funded programme […]
Read more >>>
Around 300 people at three events over the past week have heard two peace activists – one Israeli and one Palestinian – speak about their hopes for reconciliation. Palestinian Ruba Huleihel and Israeli Michal Katoshevsky were speaking at ‘Invest in Peace’, a joint initiative between the Board of Deputies of British Jews and Churches Together […]
Read more >>>On the eve of Labour’s annual party conference, Board of Deputies of British Jews President Marie van der Zyl has spoken of her “deep” concerns over the party’s continuing failure to banish anti-Jewish racism. Marie said: “I have deep and ongoing concerns about Labour going into their Party Conference. Since the last party conference, Labour […]
Read more >>>
Jewish community organisations this week held a meeting with the Secretary of State for Education Gavin Williamson, arranged by the Board of Deputies. Board of Deputies President Marie van der Zyl led the delegation, which comprised colleagues from the Jewish representative organisations at the Department for Education’s Faith School Providers Group. Those represented were the […]
Read more >>>
The Board of Deputies and the Jewish Leadership Council today held a meeting with Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab today, to discuss topics including tackling antisemitism, promoting peace and security for Israel and the wider Middle East, safeguarding Jewish interests in the context of Brexit, protecting religious freedoms and ensuring that the right lessons are learnt […]
Read more >>>
Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick has told a Board of Deputies meeting that the Government is to provide £100,000 of funding to tackle online antisemitism. Mr Jenrick said: “This funding will support the Antisemitism Policy Trust’s ongoing work to tackle the spread of antisemitic tropes online and challenge harmful narratives about the Jewish community.” He also […]
Read more >>>
Click below to watch a live stream of the September 13th Board of Deputies meeting. The meeting begins at 11.15am
Read more >>>
Imam Qari Asim, the government’s adviser on a definition of Islamophobia, has told a Board of Deputies of British Jews conference about the importance of the Jewish and Muslim communities standing together against hate. Speaking on a panel chaired by Board of Deputies Vice-President Edwin Shuker, Imam Asim said: “Islamophobia and antisemitism have been on […]
Read more >>>
As part of our ongoing commitment to raising awareness of environmental issues in the Jewish community, we will be hosting a series of blogs from Jewish communities, about the work they are doing on this area. Here is one from the United Synagogue: Many United Synagogue communities are focusing on how they can operate in […]
Read more >>>
Board of Deputies President Marie van der Zyl has questioned the decision of the BBC to interview journalist and political activist Ash Sarkar on a programme about the rise of Nazism. Marie said: “We would ask the BBC to explain why someone who defended the desecration of a memorial to the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising has […]
Read more >>>
Board of Deputies of British Jews Vice President Amanda Bowman has commented on the possibility of a General Election occurring during the festival of Succot. She said: “If a General Election were to be held on Monday October 14 this would coincide with the festival of Succot. This means that, due to religious restrictions, observant […]
Read more >>>
Jewish community organisations today held a meeting with Home Secretary Priti Patel, organised by the Board of Deputies of British Jews, to discuss topics including tackling antisemitism, countering extremism and safeguarding Jewish interests in the context of Brexit. Board of Deputies President Marie van der Zyl led the delegation, which comprised colleagues from the Community […]
Read more >>>
Board of Deputies President Marie van der Zyl has reacted to President Donald Trump’s statement in which he said that Jews voting for a Democrat “show either a total lack of knowledge or great disloyalty”. Marie said: “Whatever one thinks of the antics of certain Democrat politicians, to single out Jewish voters and accuse them […]
Read more >>>
Jewish community organisations this week held a meeting with Universities Minister Jo Johnson, arranged by the Board of Deputies, to discuss topics including antisemitism and freedom of speech, religious freedom issues and ways in which the new government will be able to support Jewish students and academics. Board of Deputies Vice President Amanda Bowman led […]
Read more >>>
Board of Deputies Chief Executive Gillian Merron has sent a message to all those who have received their A and AS Level results today. She said: “The Board of Deputies wishes every success to those receiving their GCE A and AS Level results today. We hope that pupils and schools received the results that they […]
Read more >>>
As the new Government takes shape, it seems increasingly clear that, while exiting with a deal remains the Government’s stated aspiration, a ‘no deal’ Brexit is now a strong possibility. While Brexit excites lively debate in our community, there is not a clear-cut ‘Jewish’ case on either side of the argument, and the Board of […]
Read more >>>
Broadcaster and journalist Natasha Kaplinsky has confirmed that she will be interviewing Tony Blair at the Board of Deputies’ President’s Dinner on November 4. Ms Kaplinsky, who has worked for ITV, BBC, Channel Five and Sky News, is currently a board member for the Holocaust Memorial Foundation. She said: “I’m very much looking forward to […]
Read more >>>
The Board of Deputies is looking for a highly motivated individual to work as its Public Affairs Officer and as the secretariat to the All-Party Parliamentary Group on British Jews. The post-holder is responsible for engaging with MPs, peers, the parliamentary process and political stakeholders, developing policy, research and report writing, event planning and running […]
Read more >>>
Westminster City Council is currently considering plans for a National Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre to be sited next to Parliament. This is a project of huge significance to our country, our community and the victims of this unparalleled evil and their families. Siting the memorial next to our Parliament at the heart of our […]
Read more >>>
Board of Deputies of British Jews President Marie van der Zyl has warned Westminster City Council that rejecting plans for the proposed Holocaust memorial next to Parliament would bring shame upon them. Marie said: “At a time when antisemitic incidents are at an all-time high, rejecting this vital memorial to Holocaust victims would send entirely […]
Read more >>>
Board of Deputies President Marie van der Zyl has announced that the guest of honour at this year’s President’s Dinner in November will be former Prime Minister Tony Blair. At yesterday’s Board of Deputies meeting, Marie told Deputies: “At a time when antisemitism in the Labour Party shows no sign of ending, it is worth […]
Read more >>>
President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, Marie van der Zyl, has paid tribute to Senior Past President Lionel Kopelowitz whose death was announced at the weekend. Marie said: “We are deeply saddened to learn of the death of our Senior Past President and Father of the Board, Dr Lionel Kopelowitz. Born in […]
Read more >>>
Watch the stream of 28th July 2019 Board of Deputies meeting
Read more >>>The Board of Deputies is looking for outstanding candidates for two roles – Public Affairs Officer and International Relations Officer. The Public Affairs Officer will be responsible for engaging with MPs, peers, the parliamentary process and political stakeholders, developing policy, research and report writing, event planning and running specific projects. The post is integral to […]
Read more >>>
The UK’s first faith-based scheme to combat sexual harassment in the workplace has been announced today. The launch follows heightened awareness around unacceptable behaviour in society in general, including the #MeToo movement and a recent government report on a zero tolerance approach towards sexual harassment. The three-year project, specifically for Jewish charities and community organisations, […]
Read more >>>
Board of Deputies President Marie van der Zyl said: “We wish Boris Johnson every success as Prime Minister at this critical time for our country. We have had a long and positive relationship with Mr Johnson as both Mayor of London and Foreign Secretary and we look forward to this continuing as he enters Downing […]
Read more >>>
‘Jeremy Corbyn’s proposals on antisemitism, presented to the Shadow Cabinet, represent a significant step backward. The proposals significantly increase the potential for political interference by putting decisions further into the hands of a small group of individuals who consistently vote on factional lines and have already shown their lack of independent thinking. ‘The Party seems […]
Read more >>>
Board of Deputies President Marie van der Zyl has reacted to the election of Jo Swinson as leader of the Liberal Democrats. Marie said: “We wish new Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson every success in her new role. We have enjoyed good relations with past leaders who have worked with us to ensure the interests […]
Read more >>>
Board of Deputies President Marie van der Zyl has today sent a letter to the Shadow Cabinet, members of the Parliamentary Labour Party and Labour’s National Executive Committee with detailed steps as to how Labour can begin to rid itself of anti-Jewish racism, following Panorama’s devastating exposé of the crisis within the party last week. […]
Read more >>>
Around 40 Merseyside and North Wales councillors attended a councillors seminar on Sunday held jointly between the Board of Deputies, the JLC and the Merseyside Jewish Representative Council, and attended by Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram and Liverpool MPs Luciana Berger and Louise Ellman. Councillors heard frank accounts from Liverpool’s Jewish MPs and JLC vice presidents, […]
Read more >>>
Board of Deputies President Marie van der Zyl has reacted to the tweets of President Donald Trump in which he called on four US Congresswomen to “go back and help fix the totally broken and crime infested places from which they came”. Marie said: “These are appalling and unjustifiable comments. Whatever one’s political disagreements, telling people […]
Read more >>>
Board of Deputies of British Jews President Marie van der Zyl has reacted to tonight’s Panorama investigation into antisemitism in the Labour Party. “This Panorama investigation gives added weight to what we have suspected all along. It suggests that the issue of antisemitism has been treated with disdain by the Labour leader and as a […]
Read more >>>
The Board of Deputies has sent a complaint to the Guardian following the publication of a letter in the paper purporting to be written by “prominent members of the Jewish community in the UK and abroad”. The Guardian was misleading and inaccurate in its description of the signatories, some have been suspended or expelled from […]
Read more >>>
Following reports of a screening in London of Homelands, a ‘documentary’ by Katie Hopkins and former Ukip MEP Janice Atkinson on the “Islamification of Europe”, Board of Deputies President Marie van der Zyl has commented: “This vile Muslim-baiting film should never have seen the light of day. Shame on those who hosted and promoted such an […]
Read more >>>
Responding to reports that Chris Williamson has been readmitted to the Labour Party, Board of Deputies Vice President Amanda Bowman said: “This is an utter disgrace. Despite years of baiting the Jewish community – calling antisemitism allegations ‘proxy wars and bullshit’, actively supporting people suspended and expelled from the party for antisemitism, attacking the Board […]
Read more >>>
Board of Deputies Vice President Amanda Bowman has reacted to news that Labour MP Lloyd Russell-Moyle will be hosting a representative of an antisemitic Yemenite military group in Parliament. Amanda said: “Hosting an organisation in the Houses of Parliament whose official slogan includes the phrase ‘death to Israel, curse the Jews’ is utterly unacceptable. Lloyd […]
Read more >>>
Board of Deputies President has sent a letter of complaint to Head of BBC News Fran Unsworth expressing deep concern over the corporation’s reporting of the antisemitic social media postings of Abdullah Patel, who was allowed to ask a question in the Conservative Party leadership debate. Marie wrote of Mr Patel’s tweet. “The tweet is […]
Read more >>>
Sheila Gewolb, Senior Vice President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, has expressed concern about Iran’s intention to breach the nuclear agreement. Sheila said: “We are deeply concerned that the Iranian regime has announced it will breach the limit on its stockpile of enriched uranium, set under a 2015 nuclear deal with world […]
Read more >>>
Board of Deputies President Marie van der Zyl has applauded the Church in Wales for their adoption of the international definition of antisemitism. She said: “We are pleased to see that the international antisemitism definition is gathering pace in the faith communities. Following the Church of England’s adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition […]
Read more >>>
Catch up with the live stream of the June 16th Board of Deputies meeting.
Read more >>>
Board of Deputies Senior Vice President Sheila Gewolb has condemned the decision of the Cambridge Union to host Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. Sheila said: “The decision by Cambridge University Union to host Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, a notorious antisemite who has made no secret of his distaste for Jews and Israel, is deeply disheartening. “By inviting this […]
Read more >>>
Board of Deputies President Marie van der Zyl has reacted to reports in The Times that Labour MP Rupa Huq is facing official complaints over anti-Jewish racism from former employees. Marie said: “If true, this would be a damning indictment on MP Rupa Huq, especially in the context of Labour’s wider ongoing antisemitism scandal. We […]
Read more >>>
The Board of Deputies of British Jews, the Jewish Leadership Council and the Community Security Trust have issued a joint statement following the election of Lisa Forbes as MP for Peterborough. “Before Lisa Forbes was elected, the Board of Deputies, JLC and CST commented that we were fed up of hearing that Labour opposes antisemitism […]
Read more >>>
Board of Deputies Vice President Amanda Bowman has welcomed the decision of YouTube to ban Holocaust denial from its platform. Amanda said: “In an era of fake news and extremism, countering the spread of false truths and conspiracy theories has never been more important. For a long time, we have advocated to YouTube and other […]
Read more >>>
Board of Deputies President Marie van der Zyl has reacted to a tweet by George Galloway’s in which he wrote that Tottenham’s defeat in the Champions League final meant “no Israel flags on the cup”. Marie said: “We would like to thank Tottenham Hotspur FC for calling out the ‘blatant antisemitism’ in George Galloway’s tweet. […]
Read more >>>
Marie van der Zyl, President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, Simon Johnson, Chief Executive of the Jewish Leadership Council and David Delew, Chief Executive of the Community Security Trust, said: “The revelation that Labour’s Peterborough candidate Lisa Forbes liked a racist Facebook post accusing Theresa May of having a “Zionist Slave Masters […]
Read more >>>
Jewish community organisations have sent a jointly signed letter to Labour General Secretary Jennie Formby calling for the immediate expulsion of Labour NEC member Peter Willsman from the Party. In the letter signed by the Board of Deputies of British Jews, the Jewish Leadership Council and the Community Security Trust, Willsman is condemned for his […]
Read more >>>
Board of Deputies President Marie van der Zyl has called for the expulsion of Labour NEC member Peter Willsman, following his latest antisemitic outburst. Marie said: “Peter Willsman – a man who should have been suspended for anti-Jewish statements last year – has not only denied antisemitism in the Labour Party but has resorted to […]
Read more >>>
Board of Deputies President Marie van der Zyl has reacted to the decision of the Equalities and Human Rights Commission to launch an a formal investigation to determine whether the Labour Party has unlawfully discriminated against, harassed or victimised people because they are Jewish. She said: “We welcome the decision of the Equalities and Human […]
Read more >>>
Board of Deputies of British Jews President Marie van der Zyl has paid tribute to Prime Minister Theresa May, who announced her resignation as Prime Minister today. Marie said: “We sincerely thank Theresa May for being a true friend to the Jewish community during her time in office. While Mrs May has been Prime Minister, […]
Read more >>>
Board of Deputies Senior Vice President Sheila Gewolb has reacted to an attack on Argentinian Rabbi Elyahu Shaman. Sheila said: “The violent assault on Rabbi Elyahu Shaman, who is also a cantor at a synagogue in the Buenos Aires neighbourhood of Palermo, has deeply upset us. It’s not the first time that the Argentinian Jewish […]
Read more >>>
By Sheila Gewolb I was honoured to be part of a small group of Jewish community leaders, (there were only six of us), to accompany Chelsea FC on a trip to Boston to play New England Revolution last week. This was a joint initiative between Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich and his counterpart Robert Kraft, owner […]
Read more >>>
The Board of Deputies has condemned the racist vandalism agasinst a mosque in Scotland. A Board of Deputies spokesperson said: “We deplore the nazi-inspired vandals who have targeted a mosque in Elgin, Scotland. An attack on Muslims is an attack on all of us. We stand in solidarity with the Muslim community in opposing fascists.”
Read more >>>
Click below to watch a stream of the May 19th Board of Deputies meeting.
Read more >>>
Vice President Amanda Bowman has welcomed the Universities Minister Chris Skidmore’s announcement on antisemitism in higher education. Mr Skidmore has called on all institutions to adopt the IHRA definition of antisemitism and said it is ‘unjust’ to make Jewish societies pay additional security costs for events. His announcement follows guidance published this year to protect […]
Read more >>>
The Board of Deputies has reacted to Shadow Foreign Secretary Emily Thornberry’s biased statements on the status of Jerusalem. A spokesperson said: “It is absurd for Emily Thornberry to speak about Palestinian claims on the city of Jerusalem without even acknowledging Israel’s. We would expect her to clarify her inconsistencies and correct her one-sided view […]
Read more >>>
By Stuart MacDonald How can one grasp the vast scale of the Holocaust? There were six million Jewish victims alone. A minute’s contemplation of each one would take 11 years. At Madjanek outside Lublin, the first concentration camp we visited on the March of the Living, we shuffled into one of the wooden, unheated barracks where […]
Read more >>>Board of Deputies President Marie van der Zyl has reacted to the Hamas rocket attacks against Israel over the weekend. She said: “We utterly condemn the terrorism of Hamas and Islamic Jihad, who have fired 450 rockets in to Israel from Gaza so far. Our hearts go out to the family of Moshe Agadi and […]
Read more >>>
Board of Deputies of British Jews President Marie van der Zyl has written to Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn, telling him ‘the Jewish community is entitled to an apology for this failure to speak out against prejudice against our community when confronted with racism’. She was replying to Mr Corbyn’s letter in which he claims not […]
Read more >>>
Responding to the Bishop of Truro’s Independent Review for the Foreign Secretary of FCO Support for Persecuted Christians, Marie van der Zyl, President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews said: “We welcome the timely publication of this review by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Nobody could have failed to be horrified by the […]
Read more >>>
In response to the announcement of the new Independent School Standards, Board of Deputies Vice President Edwin Shuker said: “The new Independent School Standards are the marker by which independent Jewish schools will be inspected, the vast majority of which are in the strictly Orthodox sector. “The government has taken on board the perspectives put […]
Read more >>>The Board of Deputies of British Jews
Tel: +44 (0)20 7543 5400
Fax: +44 (0)20 7543 0010
Email: info@bod.org.uk
Press Office
Tel: +44 (0)20 7543 5437
Mobile: +44 (0)7484 082483
Email: simon.round@bod.org.uk
