The Community Security Trust and Department for Education have defended Education Secretary Michael Gove following criticism of his role in awarding government funding to the Jewish organisation while also acting on its advisory board.

A Holocaust survivor, a Nobel physicist, a Hollywood actress, a poet and fundraisers for charities as diverse as CST and Asylum Aid are some of the Jewish names on the 2012 New Years Honours.

Founding chair of the CST Gerald Ronson receives a CBE for his charitable work. His wife, Gail Ronson, also known for her active charity work, especially for Jewish Care, was made a dame in 2004.

The political year ended with the miserable spectacle of two members of Parliament being forced to apologise to the Jewish community for their actions: one for peddling the ancient antisemitic libel of the "dual loyalty" of Jews; the other for attending a Nazi-themed stag party.

There was much discussion in Westminster circles about who was worse: Labour's Paul Flynn for accusing the UK's first

MP Zac Goldsmith has spoken of his anger after the Daily Mail quoted his late father as saying Holocaust victims “lacked initiative.”

The Mail's Ephraim Hardcastle column claimed Referendum Party leader and businessman, Sir James Goldsmith said concentration camp victims “lacked the initiative to get out.”

French authorities have opened an enquiry into the Nazi-themed stag party attended by Conservative MP Aidan Burley.

The 32-year old could face a jail term or fine after magistrates in the ski resort of Albertville received a complaint about conduct at the party.

The Labour MP who questioned the loyalty of the UK's first Jewish ambassador to Israel has apologised for his remarks. At the same time, the Green Party issued an apology on behalf of its deputy leader in Wales for similar comments she made.

Former Mayor of London Ken Livingstone has claimed Education Secretary Michael Gove is "stridently Islamophobic".

Mr Livingstone made his comments in an interview after being asked about his invitation to controversial Egyptian cleric Yusuf al-Qaradawi during his time as mayor.

Conservative Party co-chair Baroness Sayeeda Warsi has called on communities to "drain the poison of antisemitism from our country."

Lady Warsi gave the European Institute for the Study of Contemporary Antisemitism annual lecture at the House of Commons this week, and the keynote address at the Buncher Interfaith Conference on Social Action at Lambeth Palace.

At both sessions, she stressed t

One of the expert witnesses who gave testimony at Palestinian activist Sheikh Raed Salah's immigration tribunal has now raised questions relating to his own evidence.

In October, an immigration tribunal found in favour of Home Secretary Theresa May's order that Sheikh Salah should be banned from Britain as "his presence would not be conducive to the public good."

The government has proscribed an extremist Muslim group notorious for burning poppies on Armistice Day and attacking supporters of Jewish and Israeli causes.

Muslims Against Crusades will be banned from Britain from midnight. Being a member or supporter of the organisation will become a criminal offence.

The British and French governments are reportedly planning to abstain if the Palestinian Authority's unilateral bid for UN membership reaches a vote.

The Palestinians won membership of the UN cultural agency UNESCO week, a move which France backed but Britain abstained on.

The Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, described the escalating situation in Iran as "grave" and said the British government would not rule out any action against the country.

Palestinian activist Raed Salah has requested permission to appeal against a tribunal ruling which agreed he should be removed from Britain, the JC can confirm.

Last week an immigration tribunal found in favour of Home Secretary Theresa May's order that Sheikh Salah should be banned from Britain as his presence "would not be conducive to the public good".

Britain and Israel are to work together in advancing the field of regenerative medicine.

The two countries will shortly establish a fellowship exchange scheme to encourage collaboration between scientists in a key area of research.