Last update - 00:00 07/02/2007
U.K. Board of Deputies rejects criticism from new Jewish group
By Amiram Barkat, Haaretz Correspondent
In response to an article in Haaretz on Tuesday about a new organization in Britain, Independent Jewish Voices, the Board of Deputies of British Jews rejected IJV's criticism of the board.
The left-leaning IJV accused the board of failing to reflect opinions that are critical of Israel and said the organization should not have held a solidarity rally in support of Israel during last summer's war in Lebanon.
"As an umbrella body that includes people with a wide range of views, the board tries to reflect this broad feeling of support for the people of Israel without passing comment on every Israeli government policy," the Chief Executive of the Board of Deputies, Jon Benjamin, said.
"If Brian Klug and the other signatories to IJV chose to engage with the institutions of the Jewish community, rather than shouting from the sidelines, they may find that most Jews disagree with much of what they say."