Board of Deputies of British Jews expresses ‘concern’ over nation-state law

The Board of Deputies of British Jews expresses “concern” over the Jewish nation-state bill passed by the Knesset overnight Wednesday-Thursday, and says it will be passing on its reservations over the legislation to the Israeli Ambassador in the UK.

“Whilst we celebrate Israel’s Jewish-ness, there is concern that some of the measures in this law are regressive steps,” says Board of Deputies senior vice president Sheila Gewolb in an official statement released by the official umbrella body of UK Jewish organizations.

“Being Jewish is a wonderful thing, but this should not lead to doing down others. All people should be valued and Israel’s Arab and other minority populations should be a treasured part of society. The lesson of Jewish history is that societies are stronger when minorities are affirmed, and they decay when minorities are degraded,” the statement adds.” We will be writing to Israel’s Ambassador to express concerns at these measures.”

— Raoul Wootliff