Board President Jonathan Arkush and the right to speak out

I wish to register my support of Jonathan Arkush, President of the Board of Deputies, for having “unequivocally condemned” Yachad for its backing of Resolution 2334, calculated to undermine Israel’s standing in the eyes of the international community and to embolden the Palestinians in their refusal to recognise Israel or to enter into negotiations in a spirit of compromise.

In the face of resurgent antisemitism, the confidence of our community is arguably linked to the existence, security and perceived strength, of Israel. It must follow then that one of the major tasks of the Board of Deputies is to promote that situation and to strongly counter — as its president did — the actions or intentions of any group that seeks Jonathan Arkush is not afraid to speak out to undermine Israel’s standing in the international arena. This is wholly consistent with one of the Board’s stated objectives: “To take such appropriate action as lies within its power to advance Israel’s security, welfare and standing.” Delegates to the Board understandably have differing views on the controversial issue of “the settlements”. Ultimately, however, it is only the Israeli government, through face-to-face negotiations with the Palestinian Authority, that has the right to determine the timing and nature of, and conditions for, the resolution of that issue. Yachad should feel shame that