Who are we?

Gilad Shalit's Fifth Birthday in Captivity

This week, Saturday August 28th, 2010, marks Gilad Shalit’s 24th birthday. For the fifth time there will be no celebrations for Gilad who will spend it in captivity at the hands of Hamas, in cruel isolation from the outside world. At this time our thoughts are with him and his loved ones more than ever. We will continue to call for his immediate release at every opportunity and we will not rest until he is brought home safely together with all the other sons of Israel held against their will.

Statement on the Situation of the Bahá’ís in Iran

The seven Iranian Bahá’í leaders sentenced to 20 year prison terms are yet further victims of the Iranian regime’s flagrant disregard towards its human rights obligations under international law. From arrest to sentencing, it seems clear that the authorities concerned did not even follow domestic due process.

The leaders have been convicted on charges ranging from insulting religious sanctity in Iran to espionage for Israel, allegations for which no evidence has ever been produced in open court, and which they flatly deny. The conduct of the Ministry of Intelligence and the Judiciary has been highly dubious, and suggests that the trial was seen as a formality with little relevance to a predetermined verdict.

The Board of Deputies is appalled at the manner in which these leaders have been treated. For two years they were imprisoned without trial. It appears that, during this time, six of the seven were held for 105 days solitary confinement and another for 175 days.

The Board of Deputies is deeply concerned by the ongoing repression of minorities in Iran. The President of the Board, Vivian Wineman, said, “In the 1980s, scores of Iranian Bahá’í leaders were summarily rounded up and executed. I pray that we are not on the verge of a repeat of such atrocities.”

Floods in Pakistan

As the representative institution of the British Jewish community, the Board of Deputies is deeply distressed by the scale of suffering following the severe flooding in Pakistan. The death-toll from this disaster looks set to be measured in thousands, and the devastation to infrastructure will affect vast swathes of the country. The longer-term impact of poverty, disease and trauma will be a huge set-back to Pakistan’s growth, with a wider impact on the international community. As Jews, it is our duty to act.

World Jewish Relief is currently taking an important role in assisting the relief effort, focusing primarily on non-food items such as emergency shelter and water purification. The situation is worsening, and those who wish to support aid efforts are directed to the disaster appeal being run by World Jewish Relief. More details can be found at http://www.wjr.org.uk.

Lord Mishcon Memorial Conference

As a part of its 250th anniversary celebrations the Board, in conjunction with the Institute of Jewish Studies at University College London, is holding a two-day academic conference.

For further details, click here, or email ijs@ucl.ac.uk.