‘I’ve been bursting to criticise Israeli policy’, says Brass in Board farewell speech
Justin Cohen is the News Editor at the Jewish News
By Justin Cohen
The treasurer of the Board of Deputies has spoken of how his role had forced him to hold back when “bursting to criticise” the Israeli Government over recent years, as he announced he would not stand again for one of the organisation’s top jobs.
Laurence Brass, who will vacate his post after two three year terms this May, said he would look back on his tenure with “satisfaction” but also “frustration” at the convention that honorary officers don’t express personal opinions.
“I’ve felt constrained not to have been able to speak out on subjects that are close to my heart such as the treatment of the Palestinians in the Occupied Territories and the discrimination still being suffered by Arab citizens of Israel,” he told deputies at this morning’s plenary.
“There have been countless occasions when I’ve been bursting to criticise the present Israeli administration but I’ve restrained myself. Candidly, the doctrine of collective responsibility – whilst sometimes necessary – can also be interpreted as an impediment to frank and honest debate.”
“For those reasons I have decided that I will not be a candidate for any office, including that of President, in the forthcoming Board elections. I want to be released from the chains of office to contribute to the wider debate on the Middle East as well as political issues I consider to be important here at home.” He hoped whoever took on leadership roles after May would speak out even if “in so doing, as I have found, you ar subjected to very harsh and sometimes quite abusive personal criticism”.
Following a visit to the region with Yachad last summer, Brass spoke out about Palsetinian villagers’ fears of attacks by settlers.
Brass – who listed his chairing of the Board’s 250th anniversary celebrations as his proudest moment in office during a farewell address for which he received an ovation – said he hoped to spend more time at his home in Israel working to “improve the lot of “all the people in the region which I remain convinced is the best way of securing a long-term peace”.
Reporting on the Board’s finances, he hailed the £63,000 increase in sums raised through the communal levy.
But prelimary indications show a potential defecit for 2014, which he put down largely to the absense of a president’s dinner and the costs of moving to new premises. However, he said the £5.8m “sale places the Board on a sound financial footing”.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
