The Board of Deputies of British Jews has narrowly voted down a motion that would have seen the organisation welcome “any mutually agreed peace settlement between Israel and its neighbours” and adopt “no position on the form such a settlement should take”.
At a meeting concerning the Middle East, held on Sunday, the motion – proposed by the Union of Jewish Students deputy Anthony Bolchover and seconded by Karen Solomon – lost 73 in favour to 74 against (with 17 abstentions).
Instead, another motion, which called for the Board to “remain an advocate for a permanent, comprehensive solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, resulting in a secure Israel alongside a viable Palestinian state”, was passed with 95 in favour and 55 against.
A third motion, put forward by Chigwell and Hainault Synagogue deputy Tal Ofer, which would require the body to oppose “any unilateral step by either side” was withdrawn last Tuesday.
