Board of Deputies of British Jews

Government & Politics

Immigration minister raises issues over visa scheme for Palestinians to come to UK MPs from across all parties have spoken in support of a Ukraine-style scheme to allow Palestinians with families in the UK to escape the conflict in Gaza

May 14, 2024   

(Jewish News) Immigration minister Tom Pursglove has said calls for the UK government to set up a Gaza family visa scheme for Palestinians to come to this country would be kept “under review” during a debate in Westminster. Responding to a succession of speeches […]

Government & Politics

Board presidential hopefuls respond to claims of Islamisation of UK politics Four Board presidential candidates take part in hustings at JFS school ahead of May 12 vote

May 9, 2024   

(Jewish News) The four Board of Deputies presidential candidates have displayed differing approaches to answering potentially problematic questions at a hustings ahead of Sunday’s election. At a well-attended event at JFS school on Wednesday evening, hosted expertly by former British Ambassador to […]

Government & Politics

Greens confirm probe into new councillor after shout of ‘Allahu akbar’ Chair of the Leeds Jewish Representative Council writes to party leaders about serious concerns over city councillor Mothin Ali

May 6, 2024   

(Jewish News) The Green Party has confirmed it is investigating into a newly elected councillor who described his victory as a “win for the people of Gaza.” The chair of the Leeds Jewish Representative Council had written to the co-leaders of the […]

Demonstrations

Claims of ‘no-go zones for Jews’ in London ‘total and utter fiction,’ says Shomrim president Rabbi Herschel Gluck has accused the Home Office’s independent advisor on extremism Robin Simcox of making claims about 'no-go [zones] for Jews' that have 'nothing to do with reality'

March 8, 2024   

(Jewish News) Suggestions that there are no-go zones in London for Jews are “a total and utter fiction,” Shomrim president Rabbi Herschel Gluck has said. Responding to claims made by Robin Simcox, the Home Office’s independent advisor on extremism, who suggested that […]

Government & Politics

Labour candidate claimed Israel deliberately let Jews be slaughtered on 7 October Azhar Ali said: 'They deliberately took the security off, they allowed that massacre that gives them the green light to do whatever they bloody want'

February 11, 2024   

(Jewish News) Labour’s by-election candidate in Rochdale has been recorded claiming Israel deliberately allowed the 7 October Hamas massacre to give it the “green light” to invade Gaza. In a recording obtained by the Mail on Sunday newspaper, Azhar Ali said: “The […]

Crime

Cleverly promises to crack down on hate ‘provocateurs’ at Palestine protests Exclusive: Home secretary tells Jewish News 'the police and government are working at identifying and dealing with those provocateurs, those people who are driven by antisemitism'

January 28, 2024 and   

(Jewish News) Home secretary James Cleverly has insisted the police are now making “significant arrests” of those responsible for antisemitic hate crimes at pro-Palestinian rallies. But he has admitted these arrests and prosecutions need to be better publicised to help calm widespread […]

Books

Fury as Iran-linked IHRC stages Wembley event chaired by disgraced academic Miller Exclusive: Board says Friday evening event, also featuring pro-Corbyn writer Asa Winstanley at the Islamic Human Rights Commission's HQ in north London, 'shows utter contempt for Jewish community'

August 9, 2023   

(Jewish News) A human rights organisation alleged to have close links with Iran is at the centre of renewed controversy over its staging of an event featuring the disgraced sociology professor David Miller and a writer criticised over antisemitism claims. The Islamic […]

Crime

Ofcom confirms ‘significant failings’ in BBC Chanukah bus attack report Broadcast watchdog says BBC caused 'distress and anxiety to the victims of the attack and the wider Jewish community.'

November 7, 2022   

(Jewish News) An Ofcom investigation into the BBC’s reporting of the Oxford Street Chanukah bus attack on a group of Jewish students has uncovered “significant editorial failings” following the broadcast. The BBC’s reports of the November 2021 incident claimed that an audio […]

Discrimination & “Islamophobia”

JNF UK censured by Board of Deputies over chair’s ‘bigoted remarks’ about Muslims 64% of deputies vote in favour of a resolution in response to remarks made to Jewish News by Hayek, who claims Jews have no future in the UK as a result of Muslim immigration.

January 23, 2022   

(Jewish News) JNF UK has been censured by the Board of Deputies over its failure to “disavow” the “inflammatory and bigoted remarks” of its chair Samuel Hayek after a heated debate during Sunday’s plenary. Two-thirds of deputies voted in favour of a resolution […]

Discrimination & “Islamophobia”

Board of Deputies senior VP asked to ‘step down’ over far-right social media posts Exclusive: Investigation launched into posts by Gary Mond, deputy for JNF UK, who is accused of showing support for anti-Islam activist Pamela Geller, who is banned from the UK.

January 12, 2022   

(Jewish News) Board of Deputies senior vice-president Gary Mond has been asked to “step down from his duties” while an investigation into allegations of anti-Muslim sentiment takes place. Mond — the deputy for Israel charity JNF UK where he is a trustee […]

Immigration

Charity chief’s migrant warning sparks communal outrage Exclusive: JNF UK chairman Samuel Hayek’s claim that Muslim immigration threatens the future of Jewish life in Britain branded ‘simplistic and reckless’

December 22, 2021   

(Jewish News) The chairman of one [of] the UK’s top Jewish charities provoked dismay among community leaders this week after claiming immigration into this country would leave Jews with “no future in England.” Asked about comments made to an Israeli newspaper earlier […]

Banks & Banking

HSBC to block donations to Palestinian aid charity Interpal British bank will no longer process standing orders, in Ramadan blow for one of UK's leading pro-Palestinian aid organisations

April 27, 2020 and   

(Middle East Eye) British bank HSBC has told customers in the UK that it will stop processing standing order payments to the Palestinian aid charity Interpal from next month. The bank sent out letters earlier this month to account holders who make […]