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Hundreds of British Jews accuse Board of Deputies of ‘genocide denial’
More than 250 British Jews have signed an open letter accusing the Board of Deputies of British Jews of “genocide denial” and of using allegations of antisemitism to silence criticism. The letter follows the board’s decision to declare the Green Party of England and Wales racist over a motion describing Zionism as a form of racism, highlighting a dispute over how criticism of Israel relates to Jewish identity and public debate.
The board passed its resolution on 25 October by 118 votes to one, arguing that the Green policy stigmatised a connection to Israel important to many British Jews. The signatories say Jewish Greens held differing views of the motion, and cite Palestinian experiences and claims about Israel’s actions in Gaza; they also criticise the board’s responses to allegations of apartheid and genocide. The letter points to the International Court of Justice’s January 2024 provisional measures and a UN commission’s September 2025 conclusion that Israel had committed genocide; the board had endorsed the UK government’s refusal to describe the war as genocide.
In short
- More than 250 British Jews signed a letter criticising the Board of Deputies.
- The dispute centres on the Green Party’s stance on Zionism.
- Signatories also accuse the board of dismissing genocide allegations over Gaza.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The Board of Deputies can argue that the Green motion portrayed Zionism, and therefore a connection to Israel that is important to many Jews, as inherently racist. It may see a duty to challenge language that risks making Jewish identity or communal ties suspect, while maintaining that allegations of antisemitism should be taken seriously. Its position on whether Israel’s actions constitute genocide can also be framed as caution about applying a grave legal label while proceedings and assessments continue.
The case against
The signatories can argue that opposing Zionism or criticising Israel’s conduct is not inherently antisemitic, and that Jewish people hold diverse views on both questions. They contend that invoking antisemitism to dismiss such criticism can marginalise Palestinian experiences and obstruct public debate about alleged apartheid and genocide. They also point to the court’s provisional measures and the UN commission’s conclusion as grounds to challenge the board’s rejection of the genocide label.