The lack of democracy in self-appointed UK Jewish Leadership groups is creating conflict in our community:
1) CST links to Tell MAMA.
The Community Security Trust (CST) is working with an anti-Islamophobia group (Tell MAMA)
Tell Mama has a dubious record of supporting anti-Israel (aka anti-Semitic) groups and an even more controversial history of producing inaccurate statistics on Islamophobia (Telegraph article #1, Telegraph Article #2).
Recently the CST endorsed a Tell MAMA video promoting a “Free Gaza/Free Palestine” T-Shirt (video available on request).
Current and Ex-CST employees are identified (on the Tell MAMA web site) as “Leadership and Patrons” and “Advisory Board members” of Tell Mama including Richard Benson (Ex-Chief executive of the CST) and Dave Rich (CST Director of Communications).
Question : Why is the CST working with an organisation that:
- Has a record for publishing inaccurate Islamophobia statistics and Promotes anti-Israel (aka anti-Semitic) sentiment?
- The CST is a constituent member of the Jewish Leadership Council.
Gerald Ronson CBE is Chairman of Trustees of the CST.
2) Norwood links to groups supporting terror.
Norwood (the UK’s largest Jewish charity) is working (“In Solidarity”) with Islamic Relief (IR), an Non Government Organisation (NGO) with links to terror organisations.
Islamic Relief’s HSBC banking facilities have been removed due to it’s links with terror groups. HSBC, UBS and Credit Suisse have refused to offer banking facilities to Islamic Relief specifically because of its links to terror groups.
Over the years Islamic Relief has been proven to have links with terror organisations and has been banned from operating in Israel and the United States.
NGO Monitor have published a comprehensive report on Islamic Relief Worldwide.
Question : Why is a UK Jewish Charity working with a proscribed organisation that is known to support terror groups (including HAMAS)?
Norwood is a constituent member of the Jewish Leadership Council.
3) United Synagogue Shul invites a known Islamic extremist to address its membership.
In July 2017 the Bromley and Catford United Synagogue hosted an “Interfaith” event where influential imam Shakeel Begg, together with Christian religious leaders, spoke.
From Jewish News article:
Begg is head of Lewisham Islamic Centre and regularly preaches to thousands of members, but in 2013 he sought to sue the BBC for defamation, in a High Court case concluding in October last year, after ‘Sunday Politics’ presenter Andrew Neil labelled him “an extremist preacher… with extremist positions”.
Begg denied this but was unsuccessful at trial, the judge instead finding that he “promoted and encouraged religious violence,” after considering a selection of Begg’s speeches from 2006-11.
Question : Why is a United Synagogue Shul hosting Islamic extremists under the guise of Interfaith?
United Synagogue is a constituent member of The Jewish Leadership Council and its spiritual leader is the Chief Rabbi.
4) Jewish Leadership Council (JLC) publicly criticises the Campaign Against Anti-Semitism (CAA) on social media.
The JLC publicly published a video blog attacking another Jewish organisation (CAA).
In the facebook vlog Simon Johnson berated the CAA on its recently published results of a survey on anti-Semitism. Following complaints the JLC removed the video but calls for Simon Johnson to stand down were (to date) ignored. This type of public, petty upmanship (the CAA is not a member of the JLC) makes the community look stupid and introspective. The JLC has no mandate from the Jewish community to attack or even challenge other Jewish organisations.
Copies of the video blog are available on request.
Question : Why does the unelected and self-appointed JLC feel it has the right to publically criticise another Jewish organisation?
The CAA is NOT a constituent member of the Jewish Leadership Council.
5) The Board of Deputies allows an anti-Israel group (Yachad) to become a constituent member.
The Board of Deputies of British Jews (BoD) has allowed an anti-Israel group (Yachad) to become a constituent member. Although Yachad satisfied the election criteria, the constitution of the BoD should not allow organisations that act against Israel to become members. The BoD constitution should be reviewed to ensure that the welfare of Israel and its citizens are a core function of the BoD.
Question : Why has the Bod allowed an anti-Israel group to be part of its constituent members.
The BoD is itself an constituent member of the Jewish Leadership Council.
6) The BoD Supports/Endorses an Interfaith Sukkot lunch with the anti-Israel St. James Church in London.
The BoD has supported/endorsed an Interfaith Sukkot lunch with the anti-Israel St. James Church in London. The church has previously demonised Israel with an exhibition of the security wall outside of Bethlehem. The rector of St. James (Lucy Winkett) is the chairman of the Amos Trust, an anti-Israel charity working in the “occupied territories”.
Question : Why does the BoD support and endorse anti-Israel activities by the St James Church by engaging in Interfaith activities?
Summary
If a group or organisation claims to represent the Jewish community, they should only do so if they operate under a mandate issued by the Jewish community.
Organisations (like the BoD and JLC) should only claim to represent Jews in the UK if they agree to abide by a community representation mandate.
If those organisations truly claim representation, this should not be an issue for them.
Mark Haringman
definition of interfaith, cooperative constructive promoting understanding
risks alienation of parts of the community
need more consensus
accountability
legitimise and endorsement.
experts on muslim terror made statements forge strong links with moderate groups.
priorities and risk
purport to serve
giving attention to positively rewarding muslim extremists reducing the influence moderate groups.
forge strong links with moderates
endorsing IR
Campaign4Truth 