Following a meeting with Plaid Cymru Chair Alun Ffred Jones and Chief Executive Gareth Chubb, Sheila Gewolb, Senior Vice President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews and Laurence Kahn, Chair of the South Wales Jewish Representative Council issued the following joint statement: “It is totally deplorable that there has been no sanction for […]
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A delegation from the Board of Deputies, the Jewish Leadership Council, Labour Friends of Israel and Sir Trevor Chinn met today with Shadow Foreign Secretary Lisa Nandy and Shadow Middle East Minister Wayne David. The group stressed the need for Labour to retain an even-handed approach to Israel and expressed concerns about some recent statements […]
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Board of Deputies President Marie van der Zyl has welcomed the Government’s decision to allow 15 people to attend stone settings after the number was set at six due to Coronavirus restrictions. Marie said: “We welcome the Government’s decision to allow stone-settings to have up to 15 attendees. Since the seemingly anomalous decision to allow […]
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The Board of Deputies of British Jews and Liberal Democrat Friends of Israel have written to Mendip Council, after the borough unanimously voted against adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism. The then Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Sajid Javid, wrote to all councils urging them to adopt the […]
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Conservative Party politicians have today backed the Board of Deputies’ proposals for combating hatred online, describing them as “common sense” and calling for the proposed measures to be “expedited as quickly as we can.” At the Board of Deputies’ first ever fringe event at Conservative Party conference, Robert Halfon MP, Victoria Atkins MP, Saqib Bhatti […]
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Shadow Secretary of State for Local Government Steve Reed last night pledged to Yorkshire local councillors that the Labour Party will continue to tackle antisemitism within its ranks. Mr Reed sent a video message to a seminar for local councillors, organised by Board of Deputies, the JLC and the Leeds Jewish Representative Council, which was […]
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Shadow Home Secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds has told a Board of Deputies meeting about online hate that Labour will be supporting new legislation to regulate social media companies. At the Labour Connected event, entitled, “How should we be combating online hate?’ Mr Thomas-Symonds said: “The platforms have been slow to act. The time has come where […]
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Board of Deputies President Marie van der Zyl, Senior Vice President Dr Sheila Gewolb and Chair of the South Wales Jewish Representative Council Laurence Kahn met with Welsh First Minister to discuss antisemitism in Labour, the proposed dilution of religious education and the Welsh government’s consideration of whether Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions of Israel by […]
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Board of Deputies President Marie van der Zyl has applauded the Liberal Democrat Party for suspending its proposed candidate for Mayor of London after news broke that she had made previously made antisemitic comments. Marie said: “The antisemitic comments discovered to have been made by Ms Sidhu-Robb, one of the Liberal Democrats’ proposed candidates for […]
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Senior Vice President of the Board of Deputies Sheila Gewolb, Vice President Amanda Bowman and South Wales Jewish Representative Council Chair Laurence Kahn met with the leader of Plaid Cymru, Adam Price MS this week. They discussed the case of Plaid member Sahar Al-Faifi who has repeatedly engaged in antisemitic behaviour including promoting Rothschild conspiracy […]
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The UK Government has strongly reaffirmed its support for Holocaust-era property restitution in Poland and other countries, in reply to a question asked in the House of Lords by Baroness Ruth Deech. Speaking on behalf of the Government, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minster of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Department for International Development, said: […]
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Board of Deputies President Marie van der Zyl has reacted to the storm of antisemitic abuse posted by rapper Wiley, with little or no intervention from the social media platforms, despite pleas to delete his posts. Marie said: “We in the Jewish community were appalled to see Wiley’s anti-Jewish racist rant carry on for hour […]
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The All-Party Parliamentary Group on British Jews has elected Christian Wakeford MP as its new Co-Chair. The APPG on British Jews brings together parliamentarians from across the political spectrum to broaden and deepen connections between Parliament and the UK Jewish community. The Board of Deputies is the group’s Secretariat. At the meeting on 20 July, Board […]
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Board of Deputies of British Jews President Marie van der Zyl has today written to the Chinese Ambassador to the UK urging the Chinese Government to release the Uyghur people and other minorities from all ethnic and religious oppression. In the letter, Marie wrote: “Nobody could watch the segment of the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show […]
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The Board of Deputies is urging members of the Jewish community to engage with the new organ donation system and speak to their families. Marie van der Zyl, President of the Board of Deputies, said: “With the new organ donation system in place, it is essential to: speak to your Rabbi or spiritual authority; share your […]
Read more >>>Board of Deputies Senior Vice President Sheila Gewolb has called for a prominent Plaid Cymru member to be excluded from the party permanently following her false claim that the American police officers responsible for the deaths of African Americans were trained by Israel. Sahar Al-Faifi had previously been suspended from the Party after a number […]
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Board of Deputies President Marie van der Zyl has welcomed permission for weddings and reopening of religious buildings, but urged a cautious approach to prevent a second spike in cases. She said: “The Board of Deputies welcomes the Government’s decision to allow religious services and weddings of up to 30 people from 4 July. “Over […]
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SNP MP John Nicholson yesterday challenged Monica Bickert, Head of Product Policy and Counterterrorism at Facebook, on the social media channel’s refusal to remove a post making light of the death of George Floyd. Mr Nicholson, who was questioning Ms Bickert as part of an investigation by the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Sub-committee on […]
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On Tuesday 21 April, the Board of Deputies led a Jewish communal delegation, comprising colleagues from the Jewish Leadership Council and Labour Friends of Israel, to meet new Shadow Foreign Secretary Lisa Nandy and new Shadow Middle East Minister Wayne David. Following the meeting, Shadow Foreign Secretary Lisa Nandy said: “I would like to thank […]
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Board of Deputies President Marie van der Zyl has reacted to the news that Keir Starmer has been elected Labour Party leader. Marie said: “I would like to congratulate Sir Keir Starmer on his victory in the Labour leadership election and wish him well in his new post as Leader of the Opposition, especially at […]
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Board of Deputies of British Jews President Marie van der Zyl has called on the Government to respect religious traditions on cremation and burial. She said: “In this critical health emergency, it is important that we do everything we can to save lives. This means rigorously enforcing the social distancing measures put forward by the […]
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Board of Deputies Vice President Amanda Bowman has voiced her concern at the Government’s newly announced plans for post-Brexit immigration. Amanda said: “The Board of Deputies notes with some concern the newly announced post-Brexit immigration plans, and the direct effect this may have on Britain’s Jewish community. Many of the security guards and care workers […]
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Board of Deputies Vice President Edwin Shuker has written to Rehman Chishti MP, the Government’s Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief, urging the Government to take decisive action over the dire situation facing the Uyghur people in China. This follows the latest reports of Uyghur Muslims being thrown into detention camps for having […]
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The Board of Deputies has sent a submission to the Government’s consultation on unauthorised encampments in order to show solidarity with Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities in the UK. Board of Deputies Vice President Edwin Shuker said: “The Government is right to seek a solution to the problem of unauthorised encampments. However, any proposals must […]
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The Board of Deputies led a delegation to meet Universities Minister Chris Skidmore this week to discuss pressing issues for students and academics, including antisemitism and the IHRA definition of antisemitism, undue security costs for student societies and religious freedoms on campus. Board of Deputies Vice President Amanda Bowman led the delegation, which included colleagues […]
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On the eve of a Westminster City Council debate on the future of a proposed National Holocaust Memorial, to be sited near to the of Parliament, Board of Deputies of British Jews President Marie van der Zyl has written to councillors urging them to support the project. In the letter, Marie says: “A permanent commemoration […]
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Board of Deputies Vice President Amanda Bowman met Redbridge councillors, including Council Leader Jas Athwal, to discuss antisemitism. Elected representatives from Redbridge reached out to the Board of Deputies after allegations of antisemitic conduct in a Labour Party ward meeting emerged. Amanda said: “It was great to see both Labour and Conservative councillors reach out […]
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Board of Deputies Vice President Amanda Bowman has applauded Tower Hamlets Council’s decision to cancel an event at the Shadwell Centre on Holocaust Memorial Day, organised by the militant organisation, Stand Up to Racism. Amanda said: “One of the proposed speakers at a planned Holocaust Memorial Day event in a Tower Hamlets council venue has […]
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The Board of Deputies today led a communal delegation to meet Steve Barclay, the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union. The group held a positive and constructive conversation about kosher meat, UK-Israel trade, sanctions on terrorist organisations, workforce supply to the security and social care sectors and ensuring that the UK retains its […]
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Senior Vice President Sheila Gewolb has welcomed the Government’s decision to ban the Hizballah in its entirety. Sheila said: “We welcome this important step by the Treasury. Hizballah’s genocidal intentions are clear. Keeping their flags off our streets and their financial assets frozen is vital in making the world a safer place.” https://twitter.com/BoardofDeputies/status/1218157875467640834
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Board of Deputies of British Jews President Marie van der Zyl said: “Tackling antisemitism must be a central priority of Labour’s next leader. To that end, it was a good start to see five of the six leadership candidates and three of the five deputy leadership candidates adopting the #TenPledges on tackling anti-Jewish racism that […]
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Today, the Board of Deputies is publicly releasing its Ten Pledges (attached), identifying the ten key points we believe Labour needs to sign up to in order to begin healing its relationship with the Jewish community. Following Jeremy Corbyn’s four years in office, during which time antisemitism in the party became a matter of great […]
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Board of Deputies of British Jews Senior Vice President Sheila Gewolb has condemned a decision by Gwynedd Council to describe Israeli policy in the West Bank as constituting “a war crime”. Sheila said: “Motions like this do little to advance the cause of peace between Israelis and Palestinians, but often irresponsibly stir up tensions here […]
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Board of Deputies President Marie van Der Zyl has responded to today’s Queen’s Speech. She said: “The Board of Deputies has long called for action on Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions in public bodies. This divisive activity intimidates Jewish communities in the Diaspora and does nothing to build peace in the Middle East. We welcome the […]
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Marie van der Zyl, President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, said: “As the Conservatives embark on an inquiry designed to strengthen its approach to racism – particularly including Islamophobia – and reassure British Muslims and other communities about its approach, it must avoid making the same mistakes as the Labour Party over […]
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Board of Deputies of British Jews Vice President Amanda Bowman has urged political parties to take action against news MPs who have been found to have made anti-Jewish comments. Amanda said: “We view with great concern the past conduct of a number of newly elected members of the House of Commons: “Apsana Begum (Labour, Poplar […]
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The Board of Deputies has condemned Baroness Tonge for her comments following the General Election results on Friday morning. A spokesperson said: “We stand behind the 90 peers who are urging Baroness Tonge to give an unqualified apology following her latest antisemitic trope of blaming Labour’s election defeat on ‘the pro-Israel lobby’. She should also […]
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Reacting to the result of the General Election, Marie van der Zyl, President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, said: “This election victory is an historic achievement for Boris Johnson and the Conservative Party. We hope that the Prime Minister will use his new mandate to bring the country together, and put an […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 >>>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 […]
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Jewish Community General Election Hustings 2019 Hustings meetings are an opportunity to hear from the different candidates and parties. They often take the form of a debate. They represent a fantastic opportunity to question your local candidates on the issues most important to you. The Board of Deputies of British Jews, together with the […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 >>>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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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. […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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, […]
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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 >>>Ahead of Thursday’s local elections, candidates standing in dozens of councils have backed the Board of Deputies Jewish Manifesto for Local Government. The Manifesto calls for councils to adopt the IHRA definition of antisemitism and support Jewish schools and social care providers, among other asks. Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council said: “I […]
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A cross-party group of MPs and peers including Post-Holocaust Envoy Lord Pickles and Shadow International Trade Secretary Barry Gardiner MP this week toured Jewish community institutions in north London to learn about Jewish life in Britain. Organised by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Jews, the group – which also included Shadow Farming Minister […]
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Board of Deputies Vice President Amanda Bowman has reacted to the disturbing series of revelations about Brighton and Hove Labour Party which have emerged this week. Amanda said: “We stand in solidarity with the Jewish community in Brighton and Hove in light of the series of disturbing revelations about the Brighton and Hove Labour Party. […]
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Responding to the Sunday Times story on Labour’s antisemitism cover up, Board of Deputies President Marie van der Zyl has called on Labour to open up its processes to scrutiny by the Jewish community. She said: “The Sunday Times investigation shows that our demands to root out anti-Jewish racism have been treated with utter contempt. […]
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Board of Deputies of British Jews Senior Vice President Sheila Gewolb has voiced her concerns to First Minister of Wales Mark Drakeford at a meeting in Cardiff, over the readmission to the Labour Party of Welsh Labour AM Jenny Rathbone. “Our meeting with the First Minister of Wales was robust but constructive. We voiced concerns […]
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More than 40 councillors from across the North West of England learned about the Jewish community at a councillor seminar on Sunday organised by the Board of Deputies, Jewish Leadership Council and the Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester and Region. There were a significant number of council leaders and cabinet members in attendance, including […]
Read more >>>Board of Deputies President Marie van der Zyl has reacted to the news that the Equalities and Human Rights Commission is considering launching a formal investigation into antisemitism in the Labour Party. Marie said: “This proposed independent investigation confirms what the Jewish community has known for a long time: that the Labour leadership has a […]
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Board of Deputies Vice President Amanda Bowman commented the Organ Donation (Deemed Consent) Bill which has passed its third reading in the House of Lords. Amanda said: “The Organ Donation (Deemed Consent) Bill is a landmark in the transplant system in England, moving the system from an opt-in model to an opt-out model “The ministerial […]
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Reacting to the announcement of the Government’s move to proscribe antisemitic, terrorist organisation Hizballah in its entirety, Marie van der Zyl, President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, Jonathan Goldstein, Chair of the Jewish Leadership Council and David Delew, Chief Executive of the Community Security Trust, said: “We welcome the Home Secretary’s move […]
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Board of Deputies President Marie van der Zyl and Jewish Leadership Council Chair Jonathan Goldstein have reacted to the Parliamentary Labour Party’s motion setting a deadline for the Labour leadership over antisemitism. In a statement, they said: “We welcome the decision of the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) this evening to set a deadline to hold […]
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Board of Deputies President Marie van der Zyl has applauded Labour MPs who have demanded answers from the party leadership on its record on antisemitism. Marie said: “We fully support the Labour MPs in calling the leadership to account on their record on tackling antisemitism within the party. Since the Enough is Enough campaign was […]
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In a show of unity, Parliamentarians from across the political spectrum celebrated Chanukah in the Houses of Parliament at a reception organised by the Board of Deputies of British Jews. Over 150 people gathered to hear Post-Holocaust Envoy Rt Hon Lord Pickles, Shadow Secretary of State for Education Angela Rayner MP, and Liberal Democrat Leader […]
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Board of Deputies Vice President Amanda Bowman has called the Labour Party’s announcement that it has dropped its disciplinary investigation into Ian Austin MP, “long overdue”. Amanda said: “The announcement that the Labour Party has dropped its ill-judged investigation into Ian Austin MP over comments he made to party Chair Ian Lavery about its failure […]
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Board of Deputies Vice President Amanda Bowman has condemned the election of Stephen Marks, who has denied Labour has a serious problem with antisemitism, to the Labour disciplinary body which deals with alleged cases of antisemitism. Amanda said: “The election of antisemitism denier Stephen Marks to Labour’s National Constitution Committee seems to be part of […]
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More than 120 councillors from almost every London borough attended a councillor seminar organised by the Board of Deputies, Jewish Leadership Council and London Jewish Forum. This was the biggest attendance for any such event, with a significant number of council leaders and cabinet members in attendance. Many of the Labour councillors said that they […]
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Board of Deputies Vice President Amanda Bowman has reacted to news that the Metropolitan Police has launched a criminal inquiry into allegations of antisemitic hate crimes within the Labour Party. Amanda said: “This comes as no surprise to us. There is a deeply embedded culture of antisemitism in parts of the Labour Party and Jeremy […]
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Gillian Merron, Chief Executive of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, said: “The Board of Deputies welcomes the decision by the Leader’s Committee of London Councils to recommend adoption the full International Holocaust Remembrance Association definition of antisemitism with all its examples. We have found the London Councils umbrella body to be constructive allies […]
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Board of Deputies Vice President Edwin Shuker has renewed support for the planned Holocaust Memorial in London. This follows a letter from a group of Jewish peers voicing concerns about the scheme. Edwin said: “We continue to welcome the planned Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre as a fitting testament to the evils of unchecked racism […]
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Board of Deputies President Marie van der Zyl has responded to Jeremy Corbyn’s speech today to the Labour Party conference by calling for action from the Labour Leader. Marie said: “Jeremy Corbyn’s words mean nothing until Labour takes the necessary steps to deal with antisemitism in its ranks. Words have long ceased to be enough. […]
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Board of Deputies of British Jews President Marie van der Zyl has responded to the adoption of the internationally recognised definition of antisemitism by the Parliamentary Labour Party. She said: “We would like to thank the Parliamentary Labour Party which has adopted the full International Holocaust Remembrance Holocaust Alliance definition of antisemitism with all of […]
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Board of Deputies of British Jews President Marie van der Zyl said: “The decision by the National Executive Committee to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance working definition of Antisemitism in full with all of its illustrative examples had to be the right call. It is very long overdue and regrettable that Labour has wasted […]
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The Board of Deputies of British Jews today confirmed that the guest of honour at the 2018 President’s Dinner, on Monday November 5, will be the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan. Sadiq was elected Mayor in May 2016, and has since developed close and supportive links with the UK Jewish community. Before becoming Mayor, he […]
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Board of Deputies Vice President Amanda Bowman has condemned the election of Peter Willsman to Labour’s NEC. She said: “The election of Peter Willsman to Labour’s NEC following his reprehensible comments about Jews is deeply concerning.” “This has not been helped by Labour’s appalling attitude to tackling prejudice, as evidenced by Jeremy Corbyn failing to […]
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Board of Deputies Chief Executive Gillian Merron has written to Labour Party General Secretary Jennie Formby, informing her of the essential steps the party needs to take in order to deal with the antisemitism crisis. The letter is a reply to Ms Formby’s own letter “outlining the Labour Party’s recent actions to tackle antisemitism”. In […]
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Board of Deputies President Jonathan Arkush has called on Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn to ensure that Ken Livingstone will not be allowed back into the party. He said: “Ken Livingstone has jumped when he should have been expelled for his toxic and odious distortion of history. His departure from Labour has all the signs of […]
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Our meeting with Jeremy Corbyn today was a disappointing missed opportunity regarding the problem of antisemitism in the Labour Party. We welcomed Mr. Corbyn’s personal involvement in the discussion and his new comments recognising and apologising for antisemitism in the Labour Party but he failed to agree to any of the concrete actions we asked […]
Read more >>>Below is an open letter sent by the Board of Deputies of British Jews to John Cryer MP, chair of the Parliamentary Labour Party. Today, leaders of British Jewry tell Jeremy Corbyn that enough is enough. We have had enough of hearing that Jeremy Corbyn “opposes antisemitism”, whilst the mainstream majority of British Jews, and […]
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The Board of Deputies of British Jews and the Jewish Leadership Council last night launched a paper entitled Brexit and the Jewish Community which seeks to outline the opportunities and challenges Brexit presents to the Jewish community. At a packed event in the Houses of Parliament, hosted by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British […]
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In his first meeting with the Jewish community, the Universities Minister Sam Gyimah has been briefed on issues affecting Jewish students on campus including antisemitism, hate-speech and disruption of events, by Board of Deputies President Jonathan Arkush and Union of Jewish Students President Josh Holt. Following the meeting, Mr Gyimah said: “Today was a productive […]
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The Board of Deputies has reacted to the Integrated Communities Strategy Green Paper released by the Government today. Board of Deputies President Jonathan Arkush said: “The Jewish community has a long-record of positive integration. We have been in frequent dialogue with the Government on the development of the strategy and we look forward to sharing […]
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UK Jewish community leaders yesterday met the Polish Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bartosz Cichocki, and the Polish Ambassador Arkady Rzegocki to convey the strong concerns of the Jewish community regarding the Polish legislation that risks criminalising references to the complicity of Poles in the killing of Jews in the Shoah. The delegation was led […]
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More than 150 people attended a Board of Deputies’ International Women’s Day event at Parliament to discuss women’s role in peacemaking. Baroness Neuberger, the senior rabbi of West London Synagogue, called for women to take “a more public role in peacemaking, adding that they were “too often behind the scenes.” Melinda Simmons, director of the […]
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