Cooperation Among British Jews on Foreign Issues is Sought

The Board of Deputies of British Jews last night resumed discussion of proposals for bringing about greater cooperation among British Jews on matters of foreign policy. However, no decision was reached and the discussion was recessed until the Board’s next meeting, about a month from now.

Dr. Abraham Cohen, president of the Board, presented the proposals to the meeting, after an address in which he underlined the primary position of the Board in representing Anglo-Jewry. He offered the Anglo-Jewish Association, British Section of the World Jewish Congress, World Union for Progressive Judaism and Agudas Israel World Organization representation at meetings of the Board’s foreign affairs committee. These delegates, he suggested, would have full right of discussion but no vote.

In return, Dr. Cohen asked that these organizations give assurance that they would take no action which would conflict with the right of the Board alone to speak and make representations to the British Government and foreign embassies in this country in the name of British Jewry and “in behalf of Jews in other countries.”

It was the last phrase, claiming the exclusive right to speak for Jewries abroad, which produced vehement criticism from supporters and members of world Jewish organizations who were present at the meeting. They denied the Board had the right to speak for Jews outside Britain and demanded that this phrase be withdrawn. At this point the matter was dropped and committees of the Board will discuss it before the next Board meeting, April 11, when the proposals will again be debated.