Board of Deputies president visits Qatar

Board of Deputies president Marie van der Zyl took part in a two-day visit to Qatar under the auspices of the World Jewish Congress (WJC), led by WJC president Ronald Lauder.

The delegation, according to the WJC, engaged in “pivotal discussions with leaders in Qatar”.

Though the identity of the Qatari officials was not revealed, the meetings were described as “high-level”.

Lauder told the Qataris of “the profound concerns of global Jewry regarding the plight of Israeli hostages in Gaza”, and asked for the  “influential intervention of the Arab leaders to secure their unconditional release”.

The WJC say that the Qataris “acknowledged the gravity of the situation and reassured the WJC delegation of their unwavering commitment to the hostages’ immediate freedom. This priority aligns with their shared vision of humanitarianism and regional peace”.

Following the meeting, Lauder said he remained “optimistic about the potential outcomes of these engagements”, and expressed the hope that “the esteemed Arab leaders will dedicate their efforts to saving lives and forging pathways toward a harmonious and peaceful future for the entire region”.

Meanwhile, ex-London rabbi Pini Dunner has announced the formation of “a coalition of activists to expose Qatar as the source of funding for global terrorism, and as the funders of the October 7 massacre.” Rabbi Dunner, minister of the Beverly Hills Synagogue in Los Angeles, made his declaration after a meeting with Yigal Carmon, the founder of MEMRI, the Middle East Media Research Institute. MEMRI monitors and translates political statements in the Arab world.