Members of UK's Jewish Board of Deputies condemn Israel’s renewed war on Gaza

Dozens of members of the largest Jewish organisation in the UK have signed a letter condemning Israel’s renewal of the war on the Gaza Strip, saying it is their “duty as Jews to speak out”.

In an open letter published in the Financial Times, 36 members of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, which usually takes pro-Israel positions, said they “cannot turn a blind eye or remain silent at this renewed loss of life and livelihoods” as hopes for a peaceful reconciliation and the return of captives dwindle.

“We stand with them. We stand against the war. We acknowledge and mourn the loss of Palestinian life,” the letter reads.

The members noted the deaths of hundreds more Palestinians since Israel ended the ceasefire, with the deaths of 15 paramedics who were shot by the Israeli army and buried in a mass grave recently coming to light.

They also noted that Israel had cut off all aid to Gaza, without any Israeli captives being returned recently, while saying that the Arab League and had put forward a “strong plan” for Gaza reconstruction that hadnt been implemented.

They added that “the most successful way of bringing the [captives] home and creating a lasting peace is through diplomacy”.

The letter said “extremism” in Israel was targeting Israeli "democracy", stating that the judicial system was under attack, with Israeli police “increasingly resembling a militia” and “repressive laws” being advanced that are “bitterly dividing Israeli society”.

“This most extremist of Israeli governments is openly encouraging violence against Palestinians in the West Bank, strangling the Palestinian economy and building more new settlements than ever,” the letter said.

“Israel’s soul is being ripped out and we, members of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, fear for the future of the Israel we love and have such close ties to.”

According to the Financial Times, the members published the letter after the Board of Deputies failed to release a statement condemning Israel’s decision to renew its war, despite being urged by its signatories.

The Board of Deputies of British Jews, founded in 1760, has historically expressed support for Israel, with one of its presidents, Lord Rothschild, being presented with the 1917 Balfour Declaration that pledged British support for the creation of a Jewish state in historic Palestine.

Amid Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza, the group has issued several pro-Israel statements condemning the International Criminal Court for issuing arrest warrants for Israeli leaders, criticising the UK’s partial arms license ban for exports to Israel and saying in January 2024 that it ‘commends’ the UK’s decision at the time to halt funding for the UN’s agency for Palestinian refugees UNRWA.

The Board of Deputies was also vocally critical of Pro-Palestine MP Jeremy Corbyn during his tenure as Labour Party leader over his alleged failure to tackle antisemitism within his party.

Since renewing its assault on Gaza on 18 March, Israel has killed over 1,500 Palestinians and blocked humanitarian aid from entering the enclave. Over 50,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israel since the Gaza War began in October 2023