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www.jewishnews.co.uk
Jewish News 30 October 2020
News / Abuse inquiry / Free meals / JW3 mitzvah
Winter 20/21 Online Conference for People Considering the move to Israel By the Freed Group – The Tax & Accountancy People Mark R. Freed – Switzerland – FCA, CPA, TEP Moshe Freed – United Kingdom - CPA Eliyahu Freed - Israel - CPA
Topics to be discussed:
10-Year Exemption from Israeli Taxation ● Tax Treaty Matters ● Banking Issues ● Inheritance Tax ● Pensions ●
Sunday, 15th November, 8.00-9.00 PM UK time For more information & to register: office@intertax.co.il www.freedgroup.net
Blair: Claims wouldn’t have barred Janner Tony Blair would not have deemed allegations of child sexual abuse involving former Labour MP Lord (Greville) Janner a reason to prevent him being appointed to the Lords, an inquiry heard this week. The former prime minister said he “would have known” about the claims made against Janner by disgraced care home boss Frank Beck during his trial for historical abuse in Leicestershire when he put forward Lord Janner’s name for a peerage in 1997, weeks after he swept to power. But he told the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) he was also aware the allegations had been investigated by police and that Janner himself “vigorously denied” them. Janner died in 2015 facing 22 charges of historical sexual abuse. In a statement read to the inquiry, Blair said: “In 1997, I would have known of the allegations made in 1991 in respect of Lord Janner by Frank Beck during his trial. As regards the nomination, I would expect such allegations to be considered (by the Political Honours Scrutiny Committee – PHSC) as part of that process. “In the circumstances of Lord Janner’s vigorous public denial, a police investigation and charges not being brought, I do not believe the allegations would have been investigated further beyond confirming those facts, nor that I would have considered them a bar to the nomination. “At this distance, I am unable to specifically identify any particular failing or shortcoming that I was personally responsible for in my capacity as leader of the Labour Party or
Janner pictured with Blair in 1997
as prime minister.” Blair said the PHSC was required to certify that the individuals were considered “fit and proper persons” to recommend to the Queen for a peerage. Earlier, the hearing was told how Downing Street wrote to the Home Office in 1992 saying it had received a recommendation that Janner be included in a future honours list “presumably for a knighthood to recognise his services to the Jewish community in Britain” – just a year after the Beck trial. Helen Ewen, from the Cabinet Office department involved in the honours process, said the Home Office was “supportive”, but that Janner did not receive the honour.
Caterer answers Rashford’s call A Jewish caterer has answered England footballer Marcus Rashford’s (pictured) call to help feed children during the school holidays by providing 300 meals, writes Tali Fraser. Adam Nathan Catering posted an offer on Facebook of free meals for families in need, which has been shared 50,000 times. “It is a great example of what a community can do when everyone comes together”, said Adam Nathan. Supplying each family with meals for the entire week, Nathan’s company delivered food all over London.
“Our chef volunteered his time and my parents were even boxing up food,” said Nathan, whose company provided meals for NHS staff at the pandemic start. Fellow catering companies have offered to help deliver food. “It has not been an easy year and still the first thought is to help other people where we can,” he said. A letter, initiated by the Jewish Council for Racial Equality, has been signed by more than 40 rabbis, and more than 100 people have written to Boris Johnson, urging him to extend free meals for children in need.
A Black Mitzvah NGOS CRITICISED Prominent black Jewish speakers from around the world are due to be featured in JW3’s ‘My Black Mitzvah Party’ event tonight. The Jewish community centre in London will host activists physically and virtually to conclude its celebration of Black History Month. Among those who are due to appear via video link tonight are rapper Nissim Black, from Jerusalem, songwriter Autumn Rowe from Los Angeles and Yiddish singer Anthony Russell from Portland, Oregon. Appearing live from JW3 itself, will be performer and director Rebekah Murrell and vocalist C. Gerod Harris. Each contributor is expected to give their response to the question: “If you could give your bar or batmitzvah speech today, what would you say?”
Humanitarian organisations such as Amnesty International and Oxfam are to be declared “antisemitic” by the Trump administration in the coming days, according to US reports. News site Politico detailed last Wednesday how organisations such as Human Rights Watch may also be caught up in the declaration, which is being pushed by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, just days before the US election. If true, it would trigger lawsuits from the organisations to demonstrate in court they criticise other perceived human rights violators as well. Such a declaration would withdraw all US cooperation and support to them, including financially, and urge other states to do the same. The non-governmental organisations (NGO) all denied the allegations.