U.K. Jews irked by Tory chief's 'gimmick' reference to Auchwitz trips

[Behind the Aegis]

The umbrella group representing the Jewish communities in Britain criticized remarks made Friday by Conservative Party leader David Cameron in which the Tory chief referred to a government plan to commission school trips to Auschwitz as a "gimmick."

"The Board of Deputies does not get involved in party politics but we are surprised and disappointed that David Cameron should in any way have used the word 'gimmick' in connection with visits to Auschwitz," the Board of Deputies of British Jews said in a statement.

During an appearance before party supporters in Bolton, Cameron took issue with Prime Minister Gordon Brown, accusing his government of pursuing "gimmicks that grabbed headlines but amounted to nothing," according to the daily Guardian.

Cameron cited a list of 26 such "gimmicks," number four of which was "trips to Auschwitz," the Guardian reported.

more...