The Board of Deputies has praised a new report by Plaid Cymru into its handling of antisemitism but warned the Welsh nationalist party will be tested on whether it implements its recommendations.
 
The report, published Tuesday, warns that changes to the party’s handling of cases are needed as “a matter of urgency” and says Plaid Cymru is at risk of “causing greater reputational damage to our interests.”
 
It was commissioned by the party last October and undertaken with input from Jewish groups in the wake of several antisemitism complaints against members and representatives over the last two years.
 
The review, led by the party’s Westminster leader Liz Saville Roberts, recommends commissioning experts when dealing with antisemitism complaints and the full adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism.
 
Board of Deputies vice president Amanda Bowman praised the report but stressed the “test will be whether these changes are implemented and the signals that the party sends in terms of its culture.”
 
She also reiterated concerns about Plaid Cymru’s Sahar Al-Faifi, who is standing for the Welsh Assembly in May despite having “repeatedly shared antisemitism tropes”. 
 
Ms Bowman said the case had “caused distress and anxiety throughout the Welsh and UK Jewish community.” She added: “We should simply not be in this situation.”
 
The communal group previously called for Ms Al-Faifi’s expulsion after she appeared to link George Floyd’s killing to Israel. The party investigated but took no further action against her. 
 
Previously, she was suspended - and later reinstated - over additional alleged antisemitic posts.
 
In a statement on her website, Ms Al-Faifi said she had been “vocal against all forms of racism; including antisemitism, homophobia and misogyny” and claimed she had been falsely targeted in a bid to exclude her from public life and “cause tension between communities.”

A Plaid Cymru spokesperson said: "We thank Liz Saville Roberts MP for undertaking this crucial piece of work of looking at what lessons the party can learn and for her in-depth report.
 
"Plaid Cymru will always challenge prejudice and discrimination wherever and whenever it may arise.
 
"The party will consider the recommendations over the course of the coming days to ensure our structures and processes are as robust and transparent as possible."