The Movement for Reform Judaism

Last night at a meeting organised by the Movement for Reform Judaism, held at the Sternberg Centre in North London, Ken Livingstone confirmed his opposition to the academic boycott of Israel being considered at the University and College Union's annual conference today. He said that such a move would undermine efforts to restart the peace process. He said now is not the time for boycotts. Boycotts should only be used as a last resort - when there is no other alternative, such as was the case with South Africa but is not the case here.

In a wide-ranging speech at a meeting chaired by Mike Grabiner, Chair of The Movement for Reform Judaism, he reaffirmed his support for a two state solution and said that he would have advised Yasser Arafat to accept the proposal for settlement of the Israel Palestine conflict made by Bill Clinton at Camp David. He also said that it was a mistake to consider Zionism to be racism.

Livingstone underwent more than an hour's close questioning from an audience of 250 Reform Jews. This was his first major encounter with London's Jewish community for some time and represented an attempt to draw a line under past disagreements and build a shared agenda.

In his welcoming remarks, Reform Movement President, Sir Sigmund Sternberg said that "someone with strong views about Israel, such as those Mr. Livingstone has expressed from time to time, is bound to get under the skin of those of us who know that Israel can only lose once to lose everything. And we have questions about those avowedly anti-Israel spokesmen he invites to London. But criticisms hurled from afar are useless when compared with the opportunities for understanding offered by dialogue. And it is my absolute conviction that talking through problems is more likely to yield positive results than punching your way through."

Rabbi Dr Tony Bayfield, Head of The Movement for Reform Judaism, in summing up the meeting, proposed that the Mayor make a contribution to the prospects of peace in the Middle East by hosting a meeting of Jewish and Muslim Londoners in City Hall under the auspices of One Voice - an organisation of Israelis and Palestinians, dedicated to giving a voice to the majority of moderates on both sides who wish for peace and prosperity in the region.

Adrian Cohen, Chair of the cross communal group, the London Jewish Forum, emphasised the importance of positive and active engagement with the Mayor's office. He said that they looked for delivery in the fields of community safety and housing.

For further details, please contact:
Andrea Newman, Communications Manager
The Movement for Reform Judaism

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO A RECORDING OF THE MEETING

Notes to Editors:

• The Movement for Reform Judaism represents 42 synagogues across the UK. Our aim is to reach out to many people and enable them to renew and enrich their lives and Jewish identity by engaging with Jewish faith and values, and to work with the wider community to help repair the world.
• OneVoice aims to amplify the voice of the overwhelming but heretofore silent majority of moderates who wish for peace and prosperity, empowering them to demand accountability from elected representatives and ensure that the agenda is not hijacked by forces of militant absolutism.
• The London Jewish Forum is dedicated to the promotion of Jewish life in London. The Forum will provide a platform for engagement between London Jewry and the GLA. It will also work to promote the full and active engagement of the Jewish community with civic life in London. The LJF will work to oppose anti-Semitism, racism and all forms of discrimination in London. The LJF works with all parts of the Jewish community regardless of religious; cultural or political affiliations or beliefs.

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fight back!!
written by a guest , June 02, 2007

Fight back against this blatant attack on Israel.
The Boycott
- is counter to the universal principle of academic freedom

- is a form of prejudice & discrimination; it unfairly singles out Israel

- is counter-productive to peace & reconciliation

- stifles scientific advancement, which depends on international interaction

join thousands and sign the offical petition http://www.petitiononline.com/stopucu/petition.html