Deputy withdraws two-state motion ahead of plenary

CHIGWELL AND Hainault Synagogue’s Tal Ofer has withdrawn a motion designed to force the Board of Deputies into taking a tough stance on Israel ahead of a plenary meeting to be held on Sunday.

Mr Ofer announced he had removed the motion, which was submitted in June, ahead of the Board’s special debate “due to recent developments” between Israel and United Arab Emirates and “the freeze of annexation”.

His motion had reaffirmed support for a two-state solution while warning against “any unilateral step by either side” which could “be damaging to renewed efforts to restart peace negotiations.”

Mr Offer’s opposition to “unilateral steps” was clearly a criticism of the proposed Israeli annexation scheme.

Board President Marie van der Zyl had repeatedly resisted moves by some Deputies for the Board to take a stand over annexation, which was postponed as a result of last week’s deal with the UAE. But two motions on Israel remain on the agenda ahead of Sunday’s plenary.

One proposed by the Union of Jewish Students deputy Anthony Bolchover vows to “welcome any mutually agreed peace settlement between Israel and its neighbours, and adopts no position on the form such a settlement should take”.

It was significant in that it failed to mention a two-state solution to the Israel/Palestine issue.

The second, submitted by Adrian Cohen, backs a “secure Israel alongside a viable Palestinian state” whilst opposing “boycotts that divide communities”. This appeared to support the position held by the Board.

Mr Ofer said: “I will continue to support two-state solution and if necessary will bring this motion in future.”

Sheila Gewolb, the Board’s senior vice-president, confirmed in July that deputies will be able to vote in the debate.