11 May 2007
Jewish groups in the United Kingdom have paid tribute to the country’s outgoing Prime Minister, Tony Blair, who announced he would stand down on 27 June after a decade in office. Henry Grunwald, president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, called Blair a "friend and ally," citing the establishment of 14 government-funded Jewish schools and expanded Holocaust education during his tenure, as well as the Labour Party leader's support for Israel. "Tony Blair has demonstrated a deep personal commitment and has been hugely courageous in defense of Israel, doing the right thing even when it has lost him support among the British public," said Jane Kennedy, chairwoman of Labor Friends of Israel.
Speaking to supporters at his parliamentary constituency of Sedgefield in northeast England, Blair said he would officially tender his resignation at the end of June. "I ask you to accept one thing: Hand on heart, I did what I thought was right," he said. "I may have been wrong. That’s your call. But believe one thing: I did what I thought was right for our country." Blair’s popularity has suffered notably over his strong support for the Iraq war. He is likely to be succeeded by finance minister Gordon Brown.
