A group of members from the largest body representing Jews in the UK have criticized Israel’s government for the ongoing conflict in Gaza. In a published open letter in the Financial Times, 36 members of the Board of Deputies of British Jews expressed their concerns about the loss of life and livelihoods resulting from Israel’s renewed offensive in Gaza. This marks the first time some board members have publicly opposed the Gaza war, out of the more than 300 deputies that make up the board.
The board responded to the letter by acknowledging that approximately 10% of its members had signed it, with the possibility of more associating themselves with the message. The board also emphasized the diverse opinions within its membership, likening it to the politics of Israel itself, which sees a variety of views on challenging life-and-death issues. The signatories of the open letter raised alarm about the impact of Israel’s actions in Gaza, expressing fear for the future of Israel and criticizing the government for choosing conflict over diplomacy.
In response to the letter, the board highlighted the need to prevent further violence by Hamas and acknowledged the ongoing debate within the organization over the situation in Gaza. Israel’s decision to resume hostilities in the region, following failed ceasefire negotiations, has led to a significant number of casualties, with organizations such as Médecins Sans Frontières condemning the impact on the civilian population. Amidst the ongoing conflict, members of the Board of Deputies have called for an end to the violence and a focus on negotiation and humanitarian efforts.
The conflict in Gaza stems from a violent incident in October 2023, which resulted in many casualties and hostages being taken. The subsequent military campaign by Israel has led to a significant loss of life, with both sides accusing each other of violating ceasefire agreements. The international community continues to call for an end to the violence and a return to negotiations to resolve the conflict in Gaza
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