Thirty-six UK Jewish leaders condemn Israeli Gaza War policies

Dozens of members of the Board of Deputies of British Jews have publicly declared their opposition to Israel’s conduct in the war in Gaza, stating in a newly published letter that they “can no longer stay silent on the war.”

The letter, signed by 36 members of the Board and published in the Financial Times, marks a significant moment of dissent within the UK’s main representative Jewish body. The signatories, while expressing enduring support for Israel’s future, offered pointed criticism of the Israeli government’s handling of the conflict.

“We write as representatives of the British Jewish community, out of love for Israel and deep concern for its future. The inclination to avert our eyes is strong, as what is happening is unbearable, but our Jewish values compel us to stand up and to speak out,” they wrote.

Signed by representatives from synagogues spanning various denominations, the letter laments the shift away from diplomacy, particularly in light of the earlier success in securing hostage releases through negotiated means.

“By the end of the first phase of the second ceasefire and hostage release deal, 135 hostages had been released through negotiation, just eight by military action, with at least three tragically killed by the IDF,” the letter stated.

The authors also condemned the resumption of Israeli military operations in Gaza following the breakdown of a temporary ceasefire, accusing the government of choosing war over diplomacy. “At that moment, the Israeli government instead chose to break the ceasefire and return to war in Gaza with the ‘Itamar offensive’, so-called as it was Itamar Ben-Gvir’s condition for returning to the coalition.”

The Israeli government, for its part, has denied breaking the ceasefire, stating that it expired on March 1. It has also rejected suggestions that the subsequent offensive was politically motivated to secure far-right support for the governing coalition.

The letter added that since the collapse of the ceasefire, “no hostages have returned. Hundreds and hundreds more Palestinians have been killed; food, fuel and medical supplies have once again been blocked from entering Gaza.” The signatories cited reports of paramedic deaths and the discovery of mass graves as indications that the conflict has “spiralled into brutality.”

The campaign’s release has triggered deep divisions within the UK Jewish community. A senior Board member described the move as “an incredibly badly advised decision,” and criticized it for “undermining [Board president] Phil Rosenberg so publicly in a national forum.” The official added, “As British Jews, we should not be commenting on what is effectively an Israeli political matter.”

Despite the backlash, the 36 signatories maintain that their stance is rooted in Jewish values and a commitment to justice, declaring that “as British Jews,” they could “no longer stay silent on the war.”

The Jewish Chronicle contributed to this article.