British Jewish groups paid tribute to Tony Blair hours before he announced his resignation as prime minister after a decade in power. Henry Grunwald, president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, on Thursday called Blair a “friend and ally,” citing the establishment of 14 government-funded Jewish schools and expanded Holocaust education during his tenure, as well as the Labor Party leader’s support for Israel. “Tony Blair has demonstrated a deep personal commitment and has been hugely courageous in defense of Israel, doing the right thing even when it has lost him support among the British public,” said Jane Kennedy, chairwoman of Labor Friends of Israel, according to totallyjewish.com. Speaking to supporters at the parliamentary constituency of Sedgefield in northeast England, Blair said he would officially submit his resignation June 27. “I ask you to accept one thing: Hand on heart, I did what I thought was right,” he said. “I may have been wrong. That s your call. But believe one thing: I did what I thought was right for our country.”
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