The Board of Deputies today hosted a roundtable of Jewish community leaders with Yair Golan, leader of Israeli opposition party ‘The Democrats’.
Representatives of leading Jewish organisations met at the Board of Deputies offices to brief Yair Golan on the situation facing British Jews, including challenges relating to antisemitism and Israel-Diaspora relations, and the impact of the ongoing conflict on the British Jewish community.
In turn they heard Yair Golan’s assessment of the current political and security situation in Israel, his demands for a ceasefire agreement in Gaza that bring an immediate release of all the hostages, and his vision for Israel’s future of peace and security in the region. This included defence of Israel’s democracy and judiciary, and an inclusive approach to all streams of Judaism, and to Israel’s Arab minority.
Following the briefing, Yair Golan said, “A strong relationship with the global Jewish community is critical to the future of Israel. I welcome the commitment of British Jewish leaders to our shared values of liberal democracy and Jewish peoplehood, which are vital for the security of Jews around the world and for Israel’s long-term success.”
Board of Deputies President Phil Rosenberg said, “Our community cares deeply about Israel’s welfare and security, and at this pivotal moment it is vital that Israel’s political leaders understand our concerns and hopes for the region. We welcomed this morning’s opportunity to engage with Yair Golan on issues affecting the British Jewish community and to hear his vision for Israel’s future. Few have done more for Israeli security than Yair Golan, and we commended his heroic acts to rescue civilians during the 7 October attacks. We will continue to engage with Israeli leaders from government and opposition as part of our ongoing efforts to stand up for peace and security in Israel and the Middle East”.
At the meeting were: Phil Rosenberg - President of the Board of Deputies; Adrian Cohen – Senior Vice President of the Board of Deputies; Andrew Gilbert – Vice President of the Board of Deputies; Keith Black – Chair of the JLC; Louise Jacobs – Vice Chair of the JLC and a President of the UJIA; Mandie Winston – CEO of UJIA; Louis Danker – President of UJS
Raymond Simonson – CEO of JW3; Rabbi Vadim Blumin – Head of the delegation to the UK and Western Europe of the Jewish Agency for Isael; Elliott Cohen, Research and Analysis Manager, CST
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Photo: L-R Phil Rosenberg, Yair Golan, Mandy WInston
