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Home Secretary meets community leaders
Home Secretary James Cleverly this week met Board of Deputies President Marie van der Zyl and colleagues from the Jewish Leadership Council and Community Security Trust to hear directly how Jews have been impacted following the attacks of 7th October. Finchley and Golders Green MP Mike Freer also attended.
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Board welcomes suspension of Labour MP for disgraceful comments made on Holocaust Memorial Day
The Board of Deputies this week welcomed the suspension by the Labour Party of Kate Osamor MP after her offensive remarks made on Holocaust Memorial Day.
Our statement: “We commend the Labour Party for suspending the whip from Ms Osamor following her disgraceful comments regarding Holocaust Memorial Day. This is the right decision, sending a clear message that such behaviour is unacceptable. We trust that the investigation will proceed swiftly.”
The Board had previously called for Kate Osamor's suspension when news of her comments made on the eve of Holocaust Memorial Day emerged.
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Tribute paid to Mike Freer as he announces decision to stand down following death threats
The Board of Deputies has paid tribute to Finchley and Golders Green MP Mike Freer following his decision to stand down as an MP after receiving death threats.
Our statement: "Since his election as an MP in 2010, Mike Freer has been one of the Jewish community's most stalwart supporters in British politics. The fact that he has decided not to seek nomination again as an MP due in part to the threats and abuse he has received should be widespread cause for concern. We thank Mike for his service as MP for the constituency with the largest Jewish community in the country, and are proud to call him a friend."
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Government commended for suspension of funding to UNRWA
The Board of Deputies has commended the Government for withdrawing funding following revelations that UNRWA staff had been involved in the massacres of October 7th.
Our statement: “We commend our Government’s decision, alongside the US, Canada, Australia and other countries, to halt funding for UNWRA, given the revelations about the involvement of members of its staff in the October 7th attacks.
“There have been significant worries for decades regarding the activity of UNWRA employees; their incitement of antisemitism and their promotion of terror – and for decades UNWRA’s leadership has dismissed such fears. It is clear that far stronger oversight of this agency is desperately needed.”
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Board of Deputies Senior Vice President David Mendoza-Wolfson (pictured) spoke three times at the UN's Committee on NGOs in New York. While in the city he also attended the UN's Holocaust Memorial Ceremony in the General Assembly chamber, and the Israeli Mission to the UN's Holocaust Memorial Ceremony.
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Israeli Ambassador Tzipi Hotovely was among the attendees this week at the The Board of Deputies' Westminster vigils for the hostages in Gaza. If you or others from your communities or organisations would like to join us for one of the vigils, please use the sign-up form on our website, which you can find by clicking below.
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Community
A regional Jewish Representative Councils' Chairs and Presidents meeting, convened by the Board of Deputies, was held and chaired by Vice President Edwin Shuker. Local and Regional Government Officer Jack Baldwin updated the meeting on preparations for the launch of Jewish Manifestos ahead of this year's elections. Education Officer Anna Silver delivered a presentation on ‘Jewish Living Online’ (JLO), the new free digital resource created by the Board of Deputies which will support the teaching of Judaism and antisemitism in secondary schools. Also in attendance, representing the Board of Deputies, was Deputy and Community Engagement Manager Sara Radivan, and representing their communities were Timothy Lovat (Glasgow), Laura Gold (Hull), Susie Gordon (Leeds), Michelle Hayward (Liverpool), Stephen Doberman (Newcastle), Nicola Livingston (SCoJeC), Laurence Kahn and Sheila Gewolb (South Wales), Ed Horwich (Jewish Small Communities Network), Judith Prinsley (Jewish Care).
Holocaust memorial
President Marie van der Zyl attended the Holocaust Memorial Day 2024 UK Ceremony.
President Marie van der Zyl attended Haringey Council's Holocaust Memorial Day ceremony.
Deputy and Community Engagement Manager Sara Radivan attended the Manchester City Council Holocaust Memorial Day commemorative service and heard one of “Nicky Winton’s children”, John Fieldsend, tell his story. A tweet with photographs can be seen here
Deputy and Community Engagement Manager Sara Radivan attended the Liverpool City Council civic Holocaust Memorial Day commemorative service. Keynote speaker was Lu Lawrence, daughter of Holocaust survivor Zigi Shipper, who re-told Zigi’s story. A thread of tweets with photographs can be seen here
Deputy and Community Engagement Manager Sara Radivan attended the Stockport civic event commemorating Holocaust Memorial Day. Guest speakers were Pete Simms and Deputy for York Liberal Jewish Community Owen Power. Also in attendance was Deputy for Yeshurun Synagogue Joy Wolfe. A thread of tweets and photographs can be seen here
International
Parliamentary and International Relations Officer David Robinson and Local and Regional Government Officer Jack Baldwin attended a celebration of Australian culture at the Australian High Commission.
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