UK government

Foreign Office fears for Palestine prompted by intercepted Ben-Gurion papers

Jennifer Lipman — Thu, 23 May 2013 14:48:50 +0100

Foreign Office hopes that a resolution to the situation in Palestine could be delayed until after the war were shattered in 1941 after they intercepted the private papers of David Ben-Gurion detailing Zionist objectives and his discussions with Anglo-Jewish leaders.

Secret records released this week at the National Archives reveal that in late 1941 as he set off for America, against a climate of growing British suspicion toward the Zionists, the censorship authorities "removed from Mr Ben Gurion's luggage" papers relating to his time in the UK.

The Foreign Office described the papers as of "first class interest and importance" and circulated them around senior officials, the High Commissioner and later to officials in the United States.

The seized papers included a lengthy study of the status-quo in Mandate Palestine, "Outlines of Zionist policy," in which Ben-Gurion detailed the need for a Jewish army to help the Allied effort (which was never realised) and discussed longer-term strategy for the Zionists. They also included the minutes from a meeting he and Chaim Weizmann had held that September with prominent British Jews, among them Anthony de Rothschild and Sir Robert Waley-Cohen.

The meeting yielded little agreement between the parties – indeed, in a March 1942 letter to Chaim Weizmann, also found in the files, de Rothschild said he remained "unalterably opposed to the establishment of a Jewish state" - but the minutes raised fears in the Foreign Office that these individuals, who had previously been avowedly anti-Zionist, were coming round to the Zionist cause.

In a letter of warning, Foreign Office official SEV Luke noted that while de Rothschild and Waley-Cohen, "who no doubt represent a strong body of opinion among British Jewry, showed themselves frankly hostile and apprehensive of the conception of a Jewish state" it was still "not possible to draw much comfort from the cleavage of opinion".

"All those present at the meeting were united on the need for large scale immigration of Jews into Palestine at the first possible opportunity, and were therefore equally united on the need for smashing irrevocably the White Paper policy," he said.

And after reading Mr Ben-Gurion's study he concluded "there is no hope that the question will be allowed to rest where it is… there is now no hope that they would agree to anything less than the whole of Palestine".

Luke explained that it was clear "that we must expect that from now on the Zionist's campaign will steadily increase in intensity irrespective of any embarrassment that it may be likely to cause the British war effort.

"It has hitherto been our assumption that the Palestine question will remain in abeyance until the end of the war," he said. "It is fairly clear from this memorandum that the Zionist leaders will not permit this. They will make every effort henceforth to exert pressure to marshal public opinion on behalf of their programme, and it is specifically stated in the memorandum that the question of immigration of Jews on a large scale to Palestine need not necessarily be deferred until after the war. They consider that, if the military situation permits, there is no reason to await the return of peace".

Although Luke's view of Ben-Gurion's report was that it was "a typical Jewish Agency document, detailed, lucid and logical", Oliver Lyttelton, a minister of state in the Middle East, described it as "the work of a fanatic idealist" and warned that if his scheme was carried out "it would inevitably lead to rebellion from Iraq to the Suez Canal, with strong repercussions in India, Saudi Arabia and Egypt".

The newly released documents also include warnings from between 1941 and 1943 about the tactics of the Stern gang, and discussion of the activities of illegal Jewish organisations operating in Mandate Palestine. "These organisations… constitute a potential danger far more serious than Arab violence," wrote Sir William Battershill, assistant under-secretary of state at the Colonial Office, in March 1942, "since it would be infinitely less easy to meet by the methods which were employed against Arabs".

The documents emphasise the hostility felt by some in the Foreign Office towards the Zionists, with Luke writing in a document in December 1941: "It is impossible not to feel… that in the Zionist organisation we are faced with a most formidable power, fascist in conception, tireless and ruthless in the attainment of its objectives, with great powers of organisation and backed by very important international political support.

"The political ideas and methods described in this memorandum are those which created the Fascist Govt. in Italy, the Communist Govt. in Russia and the National Socialist Govt. in Germany."

Britain asks EU to ban Hizbollah

Marcus Dysch — Tue, 21 May 2013 18:26:13 +0100

Britain has formally asked the European Union to outlaw Hizbollah as a terrorist organisation.

The move increases the likelihood of the EU taking action against the Iranian-backed group and follows months of pressure from Anglo-Jewish groups.

Prime Minister David Cameron requested that British Jews "make a noise" and help him persuade the EU to ban Hizbollah following a meeting with community leaders in January.

To proscribe Hizbollah requires consensus among all 27 EU members. The move would freeze the group's accounts and funding, hitting its European operations and terrorist activities.

It is understood that Hizbollah's increasing role in the Syrian Civil War led the Foreign Office to make the formal request.

A special EU working group is now due to discuss what steps to take against the group at a meeting next month with a ban on the organisation possibly being introduced by the end of June.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: “We are calling for Europe to respond collectively and robustly following the atrocious terrorist attack at Bourgas airport and in light of the recent conviction of an Hizbollah operative in Cyprus.

“We firmly believe that an appropriate EU response would be to designate Hizballah’s military wing as a terrorist organisation. This would be in line with our national proscription of Hizballah’s military wing.

“We continue to work closely with our European partners on this issue to reach a robust, collective EU position."

Middle East minister Alistair Burt said last week that the government was eager to see a “robust response” from the EU to the suicide bombing carried out by Hizbollah in the Bulgarian resort of Bourgas last July which killed five Israeli tourists and a Bulgarian bus driver.

The EU currently classifies Hizbollah as a social welfare organisation. The US, Israel, Canada and the Netherlands are the only countries which currently list Hizbollah as a terrorist organisation in its entirety — both its political and military wings.

A delegation of British Jewish community representatives met Helga Schmid, deputy head of the EU’s external action service last month to push for a Europe-wide ban.

Foreign Secretary William Hague is due to visit Israel on Thursday.

Join us, and help defy the ‘lunatics’ within our ranks, say Ukip activists

Marcus Dysch — Fri, 03 May 2013 08:15:13 +0100

More Jews should join Ukip to help the party combat far-right extremism and bolster support for Israel, activists have claimed.

Revelations about extreme comments made by Ukip candidates ahead of today’s local elections should not discourage members of the Jewish community from supporting the party they said.

Jeremy Zeid, chair of Ukip’s Harrow branch in London, claimed an increased number of Jewish members had helped contribute to “healthy debate” within the party. They were now part of a “broad church” of supporters tackling extreme views.

Backing for Israel within Ukip was “massive” and growing, added Curtis Sinclair, an executive member of the Ukip Friends of Israel group.

They were speaking after it emerged last week that Ukip candidates in Rotherham, south Yorkshire and in Leicester had links to the far-right British National Party.

In a separate incident, the party suspended a candidate in Sussex over comments attributed to her which attacked Zionists and accused Jews of engineering the Second World War.

Mr Zeid, a former Conservative councillor, said he had been surprised by the “considerable” Jewish support within Ukip when he joined the party last year. He claimed one Jewish member was a “major financial contributor” and had direct access to leader Nigel Farage.

Mr Zeid said: “At last year’s conference I was amazed at how many Jewish members, many religious, were in attendance. There is quite high Jewish membership in Newcastle, Manchester and Birmingham. There is also a lot of non-Jewish support for Israel in the party.

“We have our fair share of cranks and lunatics. Every party has. That’s politics.”

Mr Sinclair said: “Ukip Friends of Israel is part of the solution to ensuring these sort of people don’t stand again. A strong friends group is helpful for achieving a decent stable of candidates.

Referring to the suspension of the candidate in Sussex, a Ukip spokeswoman said: “While we have vigorous selection procedures in place for Westminster and European elections, in these county council elections we have to some degree had to rely on good judgment of our local branches.”

British saw 1948 Jewish fighters as 'like those of Nazi Germany'

Jennifer Lipman — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 09:16:12 +0100

The High Commissioner of Palestine viewed the behaviour of Jewish fighters as comparable to that of the Nazis, according to an intelligence report issued two weeks before statehood was declared.

On April 30 1948, Sir Alan Cunningham wrote to his superiors that as the Jews celebrated military successes their “broadcasts, both in content and in manner of delivery, are remarkably like those of Nazi Germany”.

In another report, he said that the Jews were prepared for statehood and an “all-out offensive” with “all the equipment of a totalitarian regime”.

Colonial administration records released by the National Archives in London this week reveal that as little as a week before the British departure from Mandate Palestine, the High Commissioner mistakenly believed that “all the ingredients of a successful truce were present”.

The documents detail increasing tension between Jews and Arabs in spring 1948, and the opposing reactions to the United Nation’s partition plan of November 1947 — “received with jubilation by the Yishuv”, but prompting “a mood of bitterness and universal suspicion” among the Arabs.

The papers show the contempt the British had for the Jews, who were deemed willing “to go to almost any lengths to achieve their aim”, and the collapse of any trust in the British by both Jews and Arabs.

Atrocities on both sides are detailed, with frequent references to Jewish “terrorists”, and graphic descriptions of violent attacks on each other or the British forces.

In one dispatch, an account is given of the massacre at the Palestinian village of Deir Yassin, the facts of which are still debated today.

Although it is unclear where his information came from, Sir Alan wrote that 250 people were killed, with the attack “accompanied by every circumstance of savagery. Women and children were stripped, lined up, photographed and then slaughtered”.

The dispatch added that the attack was too much for “the strong stomach of the Yishuv” and noted condemnations by the Jewish press and the chief rabbinate. It also recorded the Arab revenge attack on the Hadassah Hospital convoy.

The intelligence reports also show the British view that while the Jews were organised, if “not without internal dissension”, the local Arabs were poorly served by their leaders and by neighbouring countries, despite “extravagant claims of victories”.

Sir Alan wrote on April 30 that the Arabs’ “much vaunted liberation army” was “poorly equipped and badly led”.

He continued: “In almost every engagement the Jews have proved their superiority in organisation, training and tactics.”

He noted that “the foreign Arab guerilla bands… having successfully stirred up the Jews (and incidentally provided them with the excuse that they are merely defending themselves against Arab aggression) are now proving quite unable to protect the local Arabs.”

EU backs further labelling of Israeli settlement products

Marcus Dysch — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 10:53:24 +0100

European Union foreign ministers – including British Foreign Secretary William Hague – have backed plans to implement further labelling of products from Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

Britain was one of 12 states to write to EU foreign policy chief Baroness Ashton pledging to assist the union in the “important work” of labelling.

The step follows the publication of labelling guidelines by the EU last year and ongoing discussions in member states over the issue.

Israel has repeatedly said that special labelling of West Bank goods would be discriminatory and a form of boycott.

In the letter to Baroness Ashton the foreign ministers of countries including France, the Netherlands, Spain, Ireland and Austria wrote that the policy would be “an important step to ensure correct and coherent application of EU consumer protection and labelling legislation”.

Baroness Ashton is yet to respond to the letter, which was sent earlier this month and made public last week.

In 2009 the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs issued voluntary guidance to stores stating that labels on items imported to Britain from the West Bank should differentiate between “Israeli settlement produce” and “Palestinian produce”.

Last October 22 NGOs released a report recommending the EU stop importing Israeli settlement goods.

Norrice Lea man to head Sport England

Zoe Winograd — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 14:53:34 +0100

Chief Executive of the London Marathon, Nick Bitel, has been named the next chair of Sport England.

According to a government official: “With his impressive credentials, Nicholas Bitel is an obvious candidate to lead the organisation in the build-up to the Rio Olympics. Well-known in the sports world, his strong commercial experience has transformed the London Marathon into a globally admired event.”

Mr Bitel, member of Norrice Lea Synagogue, is a partner in sports law firm Max Bitel Greene and has been chief executive of the London marathon since 1993. He has been a board member of the Olympic Park Legacy Company and of the London Community Sports Board.

The announcement today has caused some controversy as it was widely assumed that 11 times gold medal paralympian Baronness Tanni Grey-Thompson would receive the role.

David Cameron thanks Lord Sacks for Middle East peace efforts

Marcus Dysch — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 11:15:15 +0100

Chief Rabbi Lord Sacks met Prime Minister David Cameron to discuss faith schools, the Middle East peace process and other issues of concern to the Jewish community.

Mr Cameron thanked Lord Sacks for his work in serving communities across Britain during the Downing Street meeting. The Chief Rabbi retires from his role on September 1.

A Downing Street spokesman said: "They discussed Jewish day schools and the positive impact that they have had on the Jewish community – an outcome warmly welcomed by the Chief Rabbi.

"Both men discussed the ‘Big Society’ – the importance of people taking responsibility and giving back to society. Lord Sacks noted how faith communities have always made and continue to make a big contribution to civil society."

Mr Cameron told Lord Sacks he was "grateful for the continued involvement of the Jewish community in Britain in their efforts to help find peace" in the Middle East.

The pair also discussed their memories of Baroness Thatcher at the meeting, which took place following her funeral last Wednesday.

Lord Sacks said: "It's always an honour be invited to Downing Street to meet the Prime Minister.

"I had the opportunity to discuss issues of concern and interest to the British Jewish community and thank Prime Minister David Cameron personally for his continued friendship and support."

Since becoming Chief Rabbi in 1991, Lord Sacks has met four Prime Ministers at Downing Street.

Minister warns against Muslim antisemitism in the UK

Sandy Rashty — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 09:47:00 +0100

A government minister has spoken out against “antisemitism in the Muslim community” in Britain.

Baroness Warsi, the Minister for Faith and Communities, said that anti-Zionism was often a mask for anti-Jewish hatred.

“I am aware that anti-Israeli sentiment can sometimes be a cover for antisemitism. As the Community Security Trust will tell you, antisemitic attacks spiral in the UK when there is increased unrest in the Middle East.”

But she insisted that it was “absurd” to suggest that criticisms of Israeli policy would “automatically equal to criticisms of Jews”.

Baroness Warsi, who is a Muslim, admitted that the relationship between the Muslim and Jewish communities was “not an easy subject to tackle.”

But she believed that British Muslims should “celebrate” the success of Anglo-Jewry “I would go as far as saying, indeed, emulate it ".

The minister also said Muslims and Jews should unite against the threat posed by far-right movements such as the English Defence League, a nationalist group whose supporters display Israeli flags during anti-Islamist protests.

“There will always be those who use the underlying resentment in the Middle East to play out their own political agendas,” she said.

“I know that, like me, the British Jewish community is disgusted by the use of the Israeli flag at English Defence League rallies.

“We need to be robust when extremists hijack our faith. An attack on one faith, is an attack on all faiths.”

Baroness Warsi was speaking at the launch of an exhibition celebrating Righteous Muslims who saved Jews during the Holocaust attended by around 50 people

Jonathan Arkush, vice president of the Board, said he thought the minister's remarks “were highly significant.

“They were remarkably frank because she, as a Muslim and a government minister, was accepting that there is some way to go in combating antisemitism in the Muslim community,” he said.

“Baroness Warsi had one ask of the Jewish community - and that is to stand out against the attempts of far right wing bodies. The EDL’s pathetic attempts to gain Jewish support have come a cropper. They’ve totally failed and will continue to fail.”

Laura Marks, the senior vice president of the Board, added: “We hear so much about communities fighting each other, but we need each other in so many ways.

“Our religious practices – whether circumcision or ritual slaughter or even faith schools - need defending. We face challenges when our own community prejudices stand in the way of our strong community ties.”

Commander Mak Chishty, a Muslim police officer, called for more interfaith initiatives to “combat Islamaphobic and antisemitism. They bring communities together and let them know about the historic relationship that does exist”.

The Righteous Muslim Exhibition features the photos and stories of 70 people who were named Righteous Among the Nations by Yad Vashem.

The exhibition, in central London, will be open to organisations, including schools, by appointment for the six weeks.

Genetic screening may be under UK threat

Sandy Rashty — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 21:00:00 +0000

A row has erupted over a potential government decision to discontinue screening for life-shortening diseases that have a high degree of frequency in the Ashkenazi Jewish community.

Representatives of Jewish Genetic Disorders UK, which monitors genetic conditions relevant to people of Jewish ancestry, said they felt “deeply concerned” following a meeting with members of a government advisory body last week, the UK National Screening Committee.

The meeting involved a discussion of testing for genetic disorders prominent in the Jewish community. The committee was said to be considering available evidence for screening all UK Ashkenazi Jews for Tay Sachs, Canavan disease and Familial Dysautonomia (FD).

Though the decision will not be disclosed until April 17, JGD policy adviser Sara Conway said they were “deeply concerned that the National Screening Committee may decide to discontinue recommending carrier screening for Tay Sachs disease.

“This will make it extremely difficult for our at-risk community to access this vital testing,” she added.

Canavan disease is a life-shortening progressive disease of the central nervous system. The carrier frequency in the Ashkenazi Jewish population is approximately 1 in 50.

Familial dysautonomia, for which there is no cure, is a progressive disorder which affects the autonomic and sensory nervous systems. Approximately one in 30 Ashkenazi Jews carry the recessive FD gene and more than 99 per cent of FD cases occur in Ashkenazi Jews.

Tay Sachs disease (TSD) is a severe neurological degenerative disease. Affected infants rarely survive past the age of four. The carrier frequency of TSD in Ashkenazi Jews is approximately 1 in 27.

At the moment, the National Health Service recommends Tay Sach screening for at risk populations. Costs for testing for Tay Sachs vary, but is currently free in London on the NHS, according to Ms Conway.

“We welcome the NSC’s support for the principle of carrier testing in areas of high Jewish population, but in practice this NHS -funded service looks likely to fall between different agencies,” she said. ”

“JGD UK will continue working with the Board of Deputies, Jewish Care and other key stakeholders to ensure that this very important issue of testing for Jewish genetic disorders is effectively addressed by NHS commissioning bodies.”

Jewish Care currently run public screening sessions for Tay Sachs. Guy’s Hospital also operates a walk-in clinic on Monday mornings.

Charities anticipate new boost for Gift Aid donors

Jennifer Lipman — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 20:30:14 +0000

Communal charities have welcomed plans for a government consultation on enabling donors to sign up only once for gift aid, rather than each time that they make a donation.

As the system stands, people must declare for Gift Aid each time they donate online. If they do not, charities lose the possibility of upping the contribution by a quarter, whereby a £10 donation would actually put £12.50 in the charity’s coffers.

Last week’s Budget contained a pledge for the government “to consult on proposals to make it easier to claim gift aid through a wide range of digital giving channels, including options for enabling donors to complete a single gift aid declaration to cover all their donations though a specific channel.”

The Charities Aid Foundation suggested the proposal could be worth more than £700m a year to the third sector, and Magen David Adom UK chairman Daniel Burger said it was “priceless”.

“Online and mobile giving is one of our biggest growth areas, so the Chancellor’s pledge to look at bringing Gift Aid in to the digital age is welcomed,” added Lisa Steele, Chai Cancer Care’s chief executive.

Other charities said that although their existing donors tended to opt in to Gift Aid despite the requirement, meaning the change would not represent a financial boost, a move to cut paperwork was positive.

“Any developments that seek to reduce our administration costs and make it easier for people to donate have to be a good thing,” said Bernie Yaffe, treasurer at Manchester Jewish social care charity The Fed.

Last year a survey revealed that some community charities were forfeiting the possibility of thousands of pounds a year because of a failure to claim Gift Aid.

“Charities find that completing declaration forms deters some donors from using Gift Aid,” said Norwood’s chief executive, Elaine Kerr.

The announcement that the government would take the first £2,000 off the employer’s National Insurance bill of every company was praised by Benjamin Conway, trustee of Paperweight, a charity that provides administrative support for members of the community during times of crisis.

“As a charity with a very modest budget, run by the founders and unpaid volunteers, this will make a huge difference when it comes to recruiting our first paid member of staff,” he said.