Board of Deputies president calls for ‘civility and decency’ after letter fallout

“I am mindful of abuse that has been thrown around this issue both on social media and direct communications, and I utterly condemn it from whatever source and in whatever direction,” he added.

Social media platforms and WhatsApp groups have played host to a flurry of hostile commentary, with some messages targeting the 36 signatories of the letter.

Rosenberg stressed the Board’s “duty of care” to its deputies, saying: “we are committed to looking after all of our welfare together.”

“I would particularly request that deputies are thoughtful in their own commentary on this matter – both publicly and in private – and are respectful and considerate of each other, including those with whom they may have significant differences of opinion.”

The Board’s probe into the letter and the deputies who signed it is expected to take four weeks.

One signatory, Harriet Goldenberg, was temporarily suspended from her role as vice-chair of the Board’s international division and from her role on the executive, pending the investigation into alleged breaches of the Board’s code of conduct. Another, Nat Kunin, stepped back from his role as chair of the under-35 assembly.

In his email to deputies, Rosenberg acknowledged the emotional intensity of the past week. “This has been an extraordinarily challenging few days,” he wrote, adding: “it is very important that all of us now allow the Constitution Committee to undertake its work in a rigorous and independent manner.”