"A senior #Labour #MP has warned that #Jews and #Sikhs are repeatedly missing from vital datasets that shape #publicservice decisions, as a government review into #ethnic classification remains ongoing.

Labour MP #PreetKaurGill, who represents #Edgbaston, made the warning during a #WestminsterHall debate, arguing the issue goes to the heart of how the #UK delivers #publicservices.

She has previously been backed in her campaign for public bodies to to record Sikhs and Jews as ethnic groups by the #BoardofDeputies.

“This is not a theological discussion,” she said. “The Office for National Statistics has told all public bodies that they can only use the current ethnicity data categories for service delivery — and that is really important.”

https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/mp-renews-her-call-for-jewish-and-sikh-ethnicity-to-be-recorded-by-public-bodies/

"#Jewish #LGBTQ social group #Dayenu marched in the #Sydney #MardiGras #parade on Saturday night after organisers, community leaders and police worked to address security concerns that had initially led the group to withdraw.

#NSW Jewish #BoardofDeputies CEO #MicheleGoldman, who marched with the Dayenu contingent, said it was “incredibly uplifting”.

“In the wake of the #Bondi terror attack, it is more important than ever that Jewish #Australians stand visible, proud, and resilient,” she said."

https://www.australianjewishnews.com/dayenu-marches-in-mardi-gras/

“Targeting a business on the basis of alleged or perceived #Israeli and or #Jewish connections reflects a very worrying trend,” a spokesperson for the #BoardofDeputies of #British #Jews said. “Across the #UK, companies and individuals are increasingly singled out by reference to their association, real or otherwise, to #Israel, with an inevitable disproportionate impact on the Jewish community. That is not legitimate protest; it is creating an atmosphere of intimidation for Jewish businesses, staff and customers. And is part of a wider trend to try and drive Jews out of wider civil society.”

The European Jewish Congress called the incident “deeply concerning” in a statement on X.

“Targeting a local business because of perceived Jewish or Israeli associations reflects a troubling normalization of hostility that must be firmly rejected,” the post said. “Such acts have no place in our societies and must be unequivocally condemned.”

https://belaaz.com/news/jewish-owned-london-bakery-vandalized-after-anti-israel-protest

British Jews speak out about Israel

Board of Deputies of British Jews write open letter criticising Israel’s actions

April 2025

UPDATE: 24 April

The Deputies who wrote the letter to the Financial Times face disciplinary action which seems to indicate there are many tensions in the British Jewish community over the war in Gaza in which over 51,000 have now died. The vice-chair has been suspended. All those who wrote are subject to the complaints procedure according to a statement by the Board. The Board has received ‘multiple complaints’ it said from the public and Deputies.

This is a brave move by the Deputies. Around one in eight have written the letter published in the Financial Times on 15th. One of their number was interviewed on various channels on 16 April and said they could no longer ‘turn a blind eye or stay silent’ in view of the violence. This is the most extremist of Israeli governments they claim which is openly encouraging violence against Palestinians in the West Bank, strangling the Palestinian economy and building more new settlements than ever. ‘Israel’s soul is being ripped out’ and as members of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, they fear for the future of the Israel they love and have such close ties to. Until now, they have been supportive of the Israeli government.

Not all Board members agreed and a senior member of the Board is quoted in an article in the Jewish Chronicle:

“[…] The publication of the campaign has been met with a divided reaction in the British community. A senior member of the Board of Deputies described the move as “an incredibly badly advised decision,” adding: “[It is] highly divisive and inappropriate in undermining [Board president] Phil Rosenberg so publicly in a national forum. As British Jews, we should not be commenting on what is effectively an Israeli political matter.”

People who criticise Israel face accusations of anti-Semitism and more recently, being ‘supporters of Hamas’. This has been the standard, knee-jerk almost, response to such criticisms. The Board’s spokesman, Baron Frankal, in the Channel 4 interview said he has received a lot of supportive comments. It will be difficult for the Israeli’s to level these accusations against the Board of Deputies.

Over 50,000 have now been killed in the conflict, the majority women and children, and all aid has been cut off for weeks. There are accusations of genocide being perpetrated.

We in Salisbury continue to hold vigils on Saturday in the market square and all are welcome to join.

Salisbury Concern for Israel Palestine’s site.

#BoardOfDeputies #Israel #Jews #Palestine #Salisbury #SCIP