Board president speaks of ‘challenging’ situation for diaspora Jews over Israel

Board of Deputies president Marie van der Zyl has spoken of the “challenging” situation for many Jews in the diaspora following the election of a far-right government in Israel.

Speaking to deputies at Sunday’s January meeting, the president revealed she had already met with President Isaac Herzog on two occasions this month, at which she discussed with him the UK community’s concerns over the political situation in the Jewish state.

Van der Zyl added:”I didn’t want anyone to think that I hadn’t mentioned to President Herzog what the concerns in the UK were… and it’s going to be challenging.

“I’m sure that it will be quite difficult in the times ahead, but I urge the community to be respectful in its discourse and that we should talk together as a community and try to work our way through this situation.”

She revealed that Herzog had made it clear he was well aware of the concerns of those in diaspora about Israel, around issues such as threats to change the Law of Return, attacks on the LGBT+ community,  and weakening of the role of the judiciary.

The president also raised concerns about the derogatory treatment of Reform Jews, and developments in regards of the egalitarian prayer space at the Kotel.

Van der Zyl said the while the Board would continue to “call out” issues that emerged under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s new government,  she also wanted to “make sure we all support Israel.”

She spoke of visiting the Jewish state herself since 1968, after her grandparents made Aliyah.

“I absolutely love Israel,” added the Board’s president. “I find certain aspects challenging, but we are all finding many governments around the world challenging.”

Van der Zyl revealed she would be meeting Herzog for a third time in the same month in Brussels on Wednesday.