The national council of the Union of Jewish Students has condemned Israel’s planned annexation of the Jordan Valley in the West Bank, saying it was doing so because the organisation’s executive had not.

Two years ago, the UJS conference had supported a two-state solution “through a process of reconciliation and negotiation, not unilateral steps”, the council noted.

Israel’s annexation proposals were “in complete contradiction to a negotiated two state-solution”, it said.

“Therefore, we expected that UJS would issue a statement condemning these proposals. As no statement has been forthcoming, we, as national council, are condemning the proposals for annexation on behalf of UJS.”

The council, an elected body of representatives, explained that part of its remit was to scrutinise the president, currently Esther Offenberg.

Ms Offenberg said UJS had "already committed to raising the concerns of national council with the Israeli Embassy and will continue to represent the views of our student body in every forum we can".

Last week, the chairman of the Conference of Liberal Rabbis and Cantors, Rabbi Aaron Goldstein issued a statement on its behalf criticising Israel’s plan, saying the country stood at “a moral crossroads”.

Hundreds of Jewish youth and students last month signed a petition urging the Board of Deputies to take a stand against the annexation policy.