In response to an article in yesterday's Haaretz about a new organization in Britain, Independent Jewish Voices, the Board of Deputies of British Jews rejected Independent Jewish Voice's criticism of the board.

The left-leaning Independent Jewish Voices accused the board of failing to reflect opinions that are critical of Israel. It further said that the organization should not have held a solidarity rally in support of Israel during last summer's war in Lebanon.

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"As an umbrella body that includes people with a wide range of views, the board [of Independent Jewish Voices] 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 Independent Jewish Voices 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," Benjamin added.