The National Secular Society has apologised for accusations its head made about a “strong Jewish lobby” undermining the rule of law when it comes to faith schools.
Keith Porteous Wood
Keith Porteous Wood, the organisation’s executive director, was speaking on LBC Radio last week about government attempts to close unregistered Jewish schools when he made the remarks.
Asked about the schools, some of which have been ordered to close, he said: “There is a very, very strong Jewish Lobby which actually undermines – of which the government appear to be frightened – and allows the rule of law to be undermined.”
The NSS head added that it was an “open secret” and said this applied to planning laws as well, adding: “Effectively in places like Stamford Hill planning rules just don’t apply. If the Jewish community wants to build – massively overbuild – and extend their houses, then they just get away with it”.
He continued: “No doubt there are an awful lot of Jewish councillors elected who are going to be very happy to look in the other direction.”
This week, NSS officials said: “We are happy to withdraw the terminology that was used on LBC in an unscripted interview. We can assure you that no malice was intended and greater care will be taken in future to try to avoid such language.”
In a letter to the Board of Deputies, a spokesman added: “We appreciate that the Board does not condone illegal schools and we apologise for any offence – none was intended.”
Rabbi Avrohom Pinter said: “The National Secular Society’s comments about the strength of the Jewish Lobby has transformed everyman’s right to free speech and civil debate about religion in society, into antisemitism. They can no longer claim any form of legitimacy in the political sphere when we know their opinions are based on prejudice and hate. We have long wondered what fascinated the NSS about Jewish schools. We now know that their bias is against Jews and not schools. I trust that Government ministers and the media will take this on board when analysing NSS campaigns in future.”
The comments come amid renewed focus on the education of strictly Orthodox children, after the Department for Education ordered the closure of 200-pupil Talmud Torah Tashbar in February. Council officials say the school remains open.
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