Some 115 members of the Board of Deputies of British Jews (BoD) spent the last weekend in Gibraltar to show their “respect, affection and admiration” to the Rock’s Jewish community.
For President of the Board of Deputies Jonathan Arkush, hosting a board meeting in Gibraltar has been a “long held ambition”.
The meeting focused on the antisemitism allegations facing the Labour Party in the UK.
During their weekend stay, the members experienced first-hand the Jewish community of Gibraltar, with attendance surpassing initial expectations.
“Gibraltar is well known for its extraordinary community and the UK Jewish community widely respects and appreciates it and wanted to see it for themselves,” Arkush said.
Governor Lieutenant General Edward Davis attended the Shabbat afternoon meal and Chief Minister Fabian Picardo addressed the board meeting on Sunday.
“We are here to show our respect, affection and admiration for the Jewish contribution to Gibraltar,” Arkush said.
“I can’t think of another territory where Jewish people have contributed in such numbers. I walk along the street here and you can see visibly there is a significant Jewish presence here.”
“We know Jews have risen to the senior levels of Government here to be distinguished Chief Ministers, and it is a bit legendary in the UK Jewish Community.”
Arkush is to meet UK Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn on Tuesday where he will put to him the recent allegations of antisemitism.
“The community’s patience ran out three weeks ago as on a daily basis we had antisemitism stories and there was even a debate on UK Parliament about it,” Arkush told reporters.This is where we’ve got to and we’re not happy.
