Board of Deputies president voices opposition to 'divisive' survey on Israel

But as division over whether to progress with the survey became apparent, the Board President accepted that the Board is “a democracy” as she was prepared to listen to all views.

The reasons for commissioning the poll and the nature of the questions have sparked tensions among Board members for some time.

Speaking on Sunday, Ms Gewolb, who chairs the International Division, said a “very controversial subject” had “somehow been leaked” around “questions in a work in progress around deputies views on the Board’s position on Israel”.

She said the “well meaning” survey idea “arose from a deputy’s suggestion which had been put to the Board last July” but added “unfortunately there was a leak full of misconceptions and misunderstandings about who the survey was for and what the final content was to be.”

Ms Gewolb said the survey, “if it goes ahead”, was intended to “guide the leadership on the Board’s position so we can represent the consensus in a democratic organisation” on Israel.

On Sunday, she told the meeting she had been “plagiarised and pilloried” with people attempting to “remove me from my position” because she had issued a statement in July 2018 that criticised Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Nation State Law proposal.

The JC understands that Deputies linked to the left-wing Yachad organisation were at the centre of initial moves to conduct the survey on Israel.

In 2015 Yachad had carried out its own Attitudes of British Jews Towards Israel survey for which Dr Stephen Miller, from City University’s School of Arts and Social Sciences, and fellow academics Colin Shindler and Margaret Harris wrote the questions.

The Board had contacted Dr Miller for assistance with its own questionnaire which is currently in a draft format.

It is understood that the draft, which was leaked to antisemitism campaigner David Collier, included possible complex questions around issues such as Israeli settlement policy.

In a move which infuriated some deputies, those attending a meeting of the Board’s International Division last Thursday were asked to sign confidentiality agreements so as discussions about the survey remained confidential.

But several Deputies objected to this demand and were asked to leave. Mary Reigner-Leigh from the Western Marble Arch synagogue was among those raising concern, sources have confirmed to the JC.

Allowed to address the meeting prior before leaving, Ms Reigner-Leigh called the survey “divisive” and that “it is not the business of the Board to concern itself the affairs, laws or future of the State of Israel."

She added that Israel “is a sovereign State and its citizens must decide those matters.”

On Sunday she repeated these views during an intervention at the plenary, where she was supported by David Berens of the Jewish National Fund who added it was “essential” that the Board “defend the state of Israel.”

But left-wing Deputies told the JC on Monday they backed the survey because it would ensure the Board would be able to make critical statements on Israel without coming under fire from those on the right.

Joe Millis, a deputy for Bromley Reform shul, said: "The Board is always asked how can you pronounce on Israel when the deputies’ views are not known. Well here’s a chance to find out.

“You get the feeling that right wingers don’t want the survey because it’ll show how fringe their views are. I urge Marie van der Zyl to face them down.”

Campaigner Mr Collier confirmed he had also seen “a draft” of the proposed survey and said the questions would require “highly complex and detailed knowledge would be required to answer them properly.”

Another source praised Mrs van der Zyl’s attempts to “maintain unity” among the Board. They added: "The idea that this survey will result in a conclusive position around Israel is fantasyland.”

When the JC approached the Board for further comment, Mrs van der Zyl and Ms Gewolb issued a joint statement, saying they would "discuss the proposal over the coming weeks" to find "the best way forward".

They said: "The Board of Deputies is committed to giving the best possible representation to the UK Jewish community on all issues of importance.

"We are currently discussing the best way to do this in relation to Israel. The International Division has proposed to do this by means of a survey of Deputies’ opinions but we understand that others believe this might entail various challenges.

"We will discuss the proposal over the coming weeks and work out whether this or something else is the best way forward.”