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Board of Deputies welcomes Labour rule change on antisemitism but calls for change in practice as well as in theory
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Speaking from the Labour Party Conference, Board of Deputies Chief Executive Gillian Merron welcomed the party's rule change on antisemitism but added that it was crucial the new procedure was effectively implemented.
She said: “We are pleased to hear that Labour National Executive Committee’s rule change, modelled on that proposed by the Jewish Labour Movement, has been adopted by conference delegates.
“This is particularly important after the ugly scenes we have witnessed during this conference and shows the need for resolute and robust action."
Gillian also reacted to Jeremy Corbyn’s speech to the Labour Party Conference. She said: “After disgraceful anti-Jewish incidents at the conference, and the opportunity provided by Labour’s adoption of more specific rules on antisemitism, Jeremy Corbyn’s speech was a missed opportunity to address specifically the issue of antisemitism. It was also troubling that Jeremy Corbyn made reference to what he called the ‘oppression of the Palestinian people’ without mentioning terrorist attacks, like the recent cold blooded murder of three Israelis.”
“However, in order to judge the success or otherwise of the new rules, we will be watching for the results. Will those who have maliciously questioned the historical record of the Holocaust, those who have engaged in anti-Jewish conspiracy theories or called for Jews to be purged from Labour still be welcome in Labour, or will they be thrown out as they so obviously should be?
“In the meantime, I want to give credit to the Jewish Labour Movement for their hard and patient work. The fight for anti-racism and justice in Labour is not over, but today is a step in the right direction.”
Read the Jewish News story here.
Public Affairs Director Phil Rosenberg and Parliamentary Officer Joel Salmon also attended the Labour Conference as part of the Board of Deputies wider political engagement programme.
Gillian delivered a Jewish Labour Movement training session on antisemitism to Labour Party members alongside Liron Velleman, UJS Campaigns Officer and JLM Youth and Students Officer.
Gillian, Phil and Joel met Labour parliamentarians and stakeholders to ensure that the Jewish voice is heard on a number of issues in the Labour Party. They were pleased to support colleagues from Labour Friends of Israel, the Jewish Labour Movement, the Antisemitism Policy Trust, JCORE, the Holocaust Educational Trust and others who put on events and stands during the conference.
Chief Executive Gillian Merron chats to Margaret, a resident at Jewish Care's Hyman Fine House care home in Brighton
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Call for condemnation of terrorist murders
Board of Deputies Senior Vice President Richard Verber has called for the Palestinian Authority and the international community to condemn the terrorist murders of three Israelis.
He said: “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and loved ones of the three Israelis brutally murdered at Har Adar. We welcome efforts led by the Americans to re-start peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians but no successful agreement will be reached until the Palestinian Authority ends its programme of inciting violence and murder of innocent Israelis. We call on the Palestinian Authority and the international community to unequivocally condemn this latest atrocity. Terror is terror, wherever it takes place.”
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Solidarity with Altrincham Mosque after stabbing attack
The Board of Deputies has expressed its solidarity with the Altrincham and Hale Mosque in Greater Manchester after a stabbing attack against Dr Nasser Kurdy, a worshipper there.
Dr Kurdy is said to have heard Islamophobic comments during the attack and Greater Manchester Police are treating the incident as a hate crime.
Board of Deputies Public Affairs Director Phil Rosenberg, who has worked with another member of the mosque on community relations, wrote to say that "Dr Kurdy and the whole community are in our thoughts and prayers. These terrorists may wish to sow division, but they only succeed in bringing us closer together.”
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Board of Deputies Activity
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INTERNATIONAL
President Jonathan Arkush spoke at an event to mark the achievements of The UK Task Force over seven years. The organisation was set up to enhance Jewish understanding of issues relating to Israel's Arab citizens.
International Relations Officer David Walsh delivered a seminar on Jewish life in the UK today, antisemitism and anti-Zionism to a group of civil servants at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office.
David Walsh held an introductory meeting with a newly appointed diplomat at the French Embassy to discuss the work of the Board of Deputies in the diplomatic arena and future cooperation. David thanked the diplomat following the French Ambassador's attendance of the recent Board of Deputies Dinner, his first official engagement in the UK.
David Walsh met Harry Tzimitras, Director of the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO) Cyprus Centre, to discuss the Cyprus issue, Cyprus-Israel relations and exchange notes on Track II diplomatic efforts in both Cyprus and regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
David Walsh met Yiannis Ioannou, Foreign Editor-in-Chief of the Greek Cypriot Politis newspaper, to discuss Cyprus-Israel relations and the Jewish community in Cyprus
International Division Vice Chair Edwin Shuker spoke at an event organised by the Lithuanian Embassy to commemorate the National Holocaust Remembrance Day of Lithuania.
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Grassroots and Advocacy Consultant Steven Jaffe met Michael McCann of the Israel Britain Alliance and Luke Akehurst of We Believe in Israel to discuss advocacy campaigning for Israel.
Steven Jaffe was a guest of MDA UK at their annual dinner.
COMMUNITY
While in Brighton for the Labour Party Conference, Chief Executive Gillian Merron, Public Affairs Director Phil Rosenberg and Parliamentary Officer Joel Salmon met the Sussex Jewish Representative Council and Sussex Friends of Israel to discuss the changing landscape of the community in the area. They visited Jewish Care’s Hyman Fine House and had lunch at Ralli Hall community centre, meeting staff, volunteers and members. They also attended a packed hall to hear an address by the Israeli Ambassador Mark Regev to the community.
Vice President Sheila Gewolb attended the Jewish Volunteering Network (JVN) 10th Anniversary Gala Dinner at Finchley United Synagogue, with guest speaker Lloyd Dorfman.
Aberdeen Synagogue has launched an appeal for £10,000 to cover the costs of damage caused by a disastrous flood. Without the money, the UK's most northerly synagogue faces closure. You can find details of how to contribute here.
YOM KIPPUR
We wish everyone fasting at Yom Kippur gmar chatimah tovah.
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