Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has met representatives from the Board of Deputies and the Jewish Leadership Council to discuss subjects including the Uyghur crisis in China and government support for an international fund for Middle East peace.

During Monday’s meeting the Foreign Secretary stressed to the communal leaders his desire to uphold the positive nature of the UK’s relationship with Israel.

Mr Raab also said he would work to ensure that Israel was not stigmatised by multilateral institutions.

There was also shared concern about Iran’s non-compliance with the JCPOA and over the Tehran regime’s destabilising activities elsewhere in the region.

The Foreign Secretary also reiterated how the UK stood in support of the community in addressing challenges to religious freedoms.

In relation to the Uyghurs, he also stressed his commitment to combating gross human rights abuses.

The Board has campaigned for the Government to back the Alton amendment which aims to prevent deals being done with countries accused of committing genocide.

The bill has gone back and forth between Lords and MPs due to a row over the best way to tackle the issue and China’s alleged crimes against the Uyghurs.

Board President Marie van der Zyl and Jewish Leadership Council Chair Jonathan Goldstein said: “We would like to thank the Foreign Secretary for meeting with us and discussing these important matters for our community.”

Also at the virtual  meeting were the JLC’s Co-Chief Executive Claudia Mendoza and the Board’s  Public Affairs Director Phil Rosenberg.