Jewish community meets Welsh First Minister to discuss Labour antisemitism, education and BDS

Board of Deputies President Marie van der Zyl, Senior Vice President Dr Sheila Gewolb and Chair of the South Wales Jewish Representative Council Laurence Kahn met with Welsh First Minister to discuss antisemitism in Labour, the proposed dilution of religious education and the Welsh government’s consideration of whether Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions of Israel by public bodies is legal.

Ms van der Zyl said: “We appreciate the First Minister meeting us at this difficult time, and he has given us assurances that Labour in Wales will react in a proper way to the forthcoming publication of the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

“While we acknowledge that ensuring that religious education is mandatory is positive, we still believe that diluting the curriculum with non-faith elements is a step back in building a pluralistic tolerant society.

“We also want to urge the First Minister to express opposition to the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement, which has no positive impact on the conflict but whose main result is to foment a divisive and polarising debate in the