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31 JULY 2025 / 6 AV 5785
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Our community deserves better
EDITORIAL BY YOSSI SAUNDERS
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This past week, the leadership of the Board of Deputies of British Jews crossed a line that can no longer be ignored. Following a deeply problematic opinion article by its President Phil Rosenberg in The Telegraph, and a special meeting convened to discuss “the humanitarian situation in Gaza,” we must now ask serious questions about the direction and legitimacy of this institution. The Board of Deputies, esThe Kotel tablished in 1760, is the oldest and largest communal Jewish organization in the UK. Its stated purpose is to represent the interests of British Jews. Yet over the past months—and especially this week—it has demonstrated a disturbing tendency to misrepresent our community’s values and priorities, particularly when it comes to the State of Israel and the ongoing war it did not start. In April, 36 Deputies signed an open letter in the Financial Times attacking the Israeli government. This alone caused significant division and pain within the community. But the leadership’s response was muted. Now, the Board’s attention turns again to Gaza—convening a special meeting solely
must not be used as a weapon of war, by any side in this conflict.” Is that really what the President of the UK’s Jewish representative body believes must be said first and foremost? Yes, we are a people who care about human suffering—Jew and non-Jew alike. But let us not forget the order of priorities. In last week’s Torah portion (Matot-Masei), the tribes of Reuven and Gad request to settle across the Jordan for the sake of their livestock and families. Rashi points out that Moshe corrects their priorities: “Build for your children first.” PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK Rosenberg’s order in the article to discuss the plight of Palestinians. No such was telling. ‘The immediate priurgency has been shown for the 660+ days ority must be to ensure a massive expansion of Jewish hostages held underground by Haof aid to Gaza, the return of hostages and a mas. No meetings were convened to address lasting ceasefire.’ the trauma endured by tens of thousands of The way a leader speaks reflects what they Israeli families displaced since October 7. value most. No headlines from the BOD have focused on So when Jewish blood is still being spilled, the more than 800 IDF soldiers killed, or the when Jewish hostages remain underground, steady stream of rocket attacks from Hezboland Jewish communities around the world lah and Iran’s proxies. face rising antisemitism, it is a betrayal for Instead, the Board chooses to echo talking our own communal leadership to centre points that appear to be pulled straight from its messaging around Gaza, before even the international press and NGOs hostile to acknowledging our own suffering. Israel. In The Telegraph, Rosenberg begins by stating: “The suffering we are witnessing in the Gaza Strip demands a response. Food Continued on page 4
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