Gillian Merron, at The Blogs

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Oct 29, 2020, 8:26 PM

Our community never wanted this fight – but we had to defend ourselves

Members of the Board of Deputies (left to right) Gillian Merron, former president Jonathan Arkush, alongside Jonathan Goldstein, and Simon Johnson, formerly of the JLC, speak to the media on College Green following a meeting with Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn in 2018. (Photo credit: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire via Jewish News)

This week, the Equality and Human Rights Commission confirmed what we in the Jewish community have known for years. Their long-awaited report in antisemitism reported that, under the leadership of Jeremy Corbyn, Jewish people in the Labour Party faced harassment, political interference in antisemitism cases,...

Dec 13, 2019, 5:47 PM

The end of Corbyn is not the end of Labour’s antisemitism problem

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn speaks after winning his seat in the election - but witnessing his party suffering heavy losses. On the right is Jewish Brexit Party candidate, Yosef David. (Photo credit: Joe Giddens/PA Wire)

Many of you may have been watching your screens at 10 o’clock last night, as the exit poll forecast a healthy Conservative majority. But the moment which best summed up the night for Labour, as well as the attitude of those who have assumed control...

Mar 20, 2018, 12:25 PM

How Brexit could affect the Jewish community

Illustrative: British Prime Minister Theresa May (L) and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker arrive to address a press conference at the European Commission in Brussels on December 8, 2017. (AFP PHOTO / EMMANUEL DUNAND)

That depends on how the government handles security, trade with Israel, and the kosher slaughter regulations

Jun 7, 2017, 4:12 PM

Cultivating new allies

This week I had the privilege of attending AJC (American Jewish Committee) Global Forum. Often referred to as the ‘State Department of the Jewish People’, AJC conducts advocacy on Jewish issues on a global scale, connecting with governments and communities the world over. Last year...

Jul 14, 2016, 1:46 PM

May is reassuring in uncertain times

There have been few political speeches to our community as impactful as Theresa May’s address on a cold Sunday in January last year. Only nine days before, four people had been murdered in an attack on a kosher supermarket in Paris. May recognised the wave...

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About Me

Gillian is Chief Executive, Board of Deputies