The Progressive Jewish Community of East Anglia.
A Liberal Judaism congregation. Registered Charity No. 1053565.

NEWSLETTER MARCH 2006 -

BOARD OF DEPUTIES OF BRITISH JEWS
BULLETIN BOARD MARCH 2006

THE MAYOR OF LONDON

In February 2005 the Board of Deputies of British Jews, along with 24 other complainants, referred comments made to a Jewish reporter by the Mayor of London to the Standards Board for England, a body set up by Parliament to ensure standards of behaviour in public life. Our referral stressed the particular hurt and distress caused by his failure to apologise.

It is regretted that the Mayor’s intransigence over his hurtful comments and lack of apology has led to a finding that the Office of the Mayor has been brought into disrepute. Had the Mayor simply recognised the upset his comments had caused, this sorry episode could have been avoided. He has been the architect of his own misfortune.

The Board of Deputies has at no stage passed judgement on the motivation for the Mayor’s comments, nor have we sought anything other than an expression of regret and an acknowledgement that the words used were wholly inappropriate for the elected representative of Londoners of all faiths and beliefs.

Mr Livingstone, through his lawyers, has accepted that his behaviour would lower him in people’s estimations, and his legal challenge was founded on whether such behaviour was a breach of the Code of Conduct by which he agreed to be bound when accepting office.

BOARD VICE PRESIDENT MEETS AUSTRIAN LEADERSHIP

A delegation of European Jewish Congress leaders met with the Austrian Chancellor Dr. Wolfgang Schuessel who is currently serving as the President of the European Union Council. The delegation included EJC President, Pierre Besnainou; Vice President, Treasurer and Board Vice President, Flo Kaufmann (United Kingdom); Dr. Ariel Muzicant (Austria); Vice President, Charlotte Knobloch (Germany) and Secretary General, Serge Cwajgenbaum.

The discussions focused on antisemitism in Europe and the concerns about Iranian President’s call for the eradication of the State of Israel and his revisionist statements denying the Holocaust. The finance of the Palestinian Authority under the leadership of the Hamas was also discussed. EJC called on the European Union to not negotiate with the Hamas until it recognises Israel and abandons terrorism as a policy. Chancellor Schuessel, expressed the EU’s commitment to the global position of non negotiation with terrorist organisations until they recognize Israel, abandon terrorism and accept the different treaties signed with Israel.

The delegation also met with Andreas Kohl, President of the Austrian Parliament, and also with the Austrian President, Dr Heinz Fischer. Speaking on behalf of the delegation in the UK, Flo Kaufmann said "I welcome the "positive" attitude of the Austrian leadership towards the Middle East conflict. It is now up to the Palestinian leadership to decide whether they choose peace by abandoning terrorism, recognise Israel as a partner and stand by commitments already entered into by previous Palestinian administrations.

DISAPPOINTMENT AT SYNOD RESOLUTION

The Board is concerned at the recent resolution passed at the General Synod calling on the Ethical Investment Advisory Group (EIAG) of the Church of England to reverse its policy and to divest itself of shares in Caterpillar. The resolution was passed following a debate that has variously been described as "unbalanced" and "uninformed", whereas the EIAG’s policy was arrived at following lengthy discussions with those both proposing and opposed to economic sanctions of this nature. It is regrettable that those who voted in favour of the resolution should have done so without being fully possessed of the facts, or whilst wilfully ignoring them, particularly when an alternative resolution had been placed before Synod but was not considered. We thank those members of the Anglican Church who have spoken out against boycotts and have instead supported positive moves to foster dialogue, understanding and reconciliation.

Commenting on the resolution, Jon Benjamin, Chief Executive of the Board of Deputies, said "There are daily reminders of why Israel's unique circumstances mean that so much emphasis has to be placed on the security of her citizens, be they suicide or rocket attacks, or calls from Hamas or the Iranian President for the destruction of Israel. This resolution takes no account of these, or of Israel's unilateral moves, such as the disengagement from Gaza. For that reason, this decision, even if only symbolic, is to be deplored."

In response to this decision the Chief Rabbi convened a meeting of major synagogual bodies and representative institutions to agree a coordinated strategic approach to dialogue with the Church of England. The Board of Deputies is conducting an analysis of the understanding of Israel's position within the Church to help co-ordinate community policy and engagement at local and national levels.

ABU HAMZA CASE

Responding to the outcome of the case against Sheik Abu Hamza, Jon Benjamin, and Chief Executive of the Board said: "The Board of Deputies welcomes the guilty verdict in the Sheik Abu Hamza case. It would be difficult to conceive of more extreme examples of incitement against Jews and others, and all right-thinking people will have been appalled at many of the statements made by Sheik Abu Hamza, in the crudest and most violent terms. In the light of this case and bearing in mind recent events, the law must be clearly seen to be applied firmly in cases of incitement. Regrettably, the relatively moderate sentence of seven years detracts from the strong message that needs to be sent to those who engage in such activities."

COMMUNITY MEDIA AWARDS PRIZEGIVING 2006 – AN EXCITING FUTURE

The Board of Deputies was delighted to host its biennial Media Awards Seminar and prize giving at WIZO House. The event was supported by Frank Cass of Vallentine Mitchell Publishers and the Jewish Chronicle. Participants were welcomed by the Board’s President, Henry Grunwald QC and addressed by Jeff Barak, the Managing Editor of the Jewish Chronicle and Senior Vice President, Jerry Lewis. The day comprised of well attended workshops, and culminated in the presentation of awards for Best Article, Community and Synagogue Magazine and Newsletter and two new categories – Best Website and Best School/Youth Publication. Susan Cresswell, Chair of the Media Awards Seminar commented, "The response to the day was excellent with a record turnout of over 100 editors. I was especially pleased with the enthusiasm for the new 'Website' category - this could be the start of an online editors’ exchange of ideas.'

STAFF CHANGES

The Board this month says goodbye to Sherri Hoppen in the administration department. We wish her all the best in her new role and thank her for all her hard work, particularly in relation to bulletins and mailings to Deputies. The Board welcomes her replacement Elizabeth Howard and we wish her a happy and successful time as part of the team.

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