The Board of Deputies of British Jews is not only one of the most valuable institutions in world Jewry, it is also a key representative voice for the Jewish community in the UK. As such, it should go without saying that the Board stands above politics, intervening in the controversies of Westminster only in truly exceptional circumstances.

Having worked as the Education Director of the Board from 1984-89, I have a solid understanding of how the organisation operates. During my tenure, all employees were able to collaborate effectively to address the key issues that affected the Jewish community. We were committed to remaining impartial and apolitical, ensuring that we did not show any preference for a particular political party.

Today, as a Conservative peer, I have observed a concerning trend that has become increasingly common, where the ideology of the Board appears to be influenced by left-leaning opinions. This bias is evident in the Board's public positions, and it is in clear violation of the organisation’s platform. While I usually choose to ignore this bias, I feel compelled to address it today.

“Today’s British Jewish community is descended from refugees and/or migrants. We have significant concerns at the potential for newly proposed migration legislation to breach both the Refugee Convention and the Human Rights Act.” pic.twitter.com/HO0Y1VoPso

— Board of Deputies of British Jews (@BoardofDeputies) March 8, 2023

ABOVE: The statement yesterday by the Board of Deputies

The attack made against Rishi Sunak and Suella Braverman’s Illegal Migration legislation yesterday, issued in the name of the Board President, Marie van Der Zyl, cannot pass without challenge.

Some within our community may object to the bill, as is their right. Others, such as myself, will strongly support it as a vital measure to curb the huge numbers of migrants arriving illegally in small boats, many of them claiming asylum on spurious grounds and most of them organised by criminal gangs.

The key point is this: members of every community will hold different views, as is their right. However, it is outrageous that the Board of Deputies appears to have been hijacked as a vehicle to push a left leaning agenda, using the platform as a megaphone to berate the British government.

Marie-Van-Der-Zyl 1

Board of Deputies president Marie Van Der Zyl (Photo: handout)

It is in bad taste to invoke the historically traumatic migrant experience of the Jewish people as a means to press gang the whole community and its institutions into this partisan campaign. This is a nuanced issue that cannot be explained through cryptic and simplistic social media posts.

Now is the time for Deputies, who represent dozens of local and sectional Jewish groups, to make a clear statement to the leadership of the Board: the good name of the Board of Deputies of British Jews must not be taken in vain.

Lord Polak is a Conservative life peer