Become a Member
News

Deputies divided as dozens call for Board to stay silent on Israeli elections

News of letter signed by 32 deputies comes a day after another 50 demand condemnation of ultra-nationalist Otzma Yehudit party

March 12, 2019 17:42
Members of Jewish Home on Wednesday night enthusiastically endorsed the deal brokered by Benjamin Netanyahu with the far-right "Jewish Power" party
1 min read

Divisions within the Board of Deputies were exposed as 32 representatives signed a letter calling for the organisation to refrain from commenting on Israeli domestic politics.

The news came a day after it was announced that another 50 submitted a letter demanding the Board break its silence on Benjamin Netanyau’s electoral pact with the ultra-nationalist Otzma Yehudit – or “Jewish Power” – party.

In recent days he has also said that Israel is "not a country of all its citizens", and a "nation-state, not of all its citizens, but only of the Jewish people".

On Monday Sheila Gewolb, Senior Vice President, reaffirmed the Board's commitment to "complete equality of social and political rights’ for all Israeli citizens, regardless of characteristics such as religion, race or sex".