The Board of Deputies of British Jews missed a possible turning point – Middle East Monitor
- MENA
- May 19, 2025
It was with some surprise that I read the letter to Financial Times Signed by 36 members of the British Board of British Jews (BOD) attacking Israel’s continuous war against the Palestinians in Gaza. Altheheme constitutes only one in eight of the total number of deputies, it was refreshing to see this, given the unit with which Bod’s usuality supports Israel, a foreign state, whatever it does.
The letter was directed “as British Jews we can no longer remain silent in the war in Gaza.” The signatories argued that “Israel’s soul is the bee started and we, members of the British Board of British Jews, fear for the future of the Israel that we love and have such narrow links.” “
They suggested that “the most successful way to bring hostages home and create a lasting peace is through diplomacy. At the end of the first phase of the second high fire and the hostage release agreement, the bone has been bone has been the bone of negotiation, three tragically murdered by Israel’s defensed forces.”
They are certainly right in this. It is also important to mention that the last hostages that will be released by Hamas and the Islamic Jihad saw freedom under the high -fire agreement that Israel signed, but then violated. He continues to violate the agreement until today, killing Palestinian dishes, most of which sought refuge in tents with little protection against the elements and without protection against the bombs made by the United States of Israel.
While his main approach in the letter was to free Israeli prisoners (“hostages”), the fact that they recognize that Israel’s policies are contrary to Jewish values was significant.
This Mean that distanced the faith of Judaism of Zionism the political ideology.
The BOD has not distinguished in the past the religion of ideology in this way.
“These more extremist or Israeli governments openly encourage violence against Losinians in the West Bank, strangle the Palestinian economy and building more new settlements than ever,” recognized the group of deputies, standing with the hostages and against. “We are with them. We stay against war. We recognize and cry the loss of Palestin [Passover] With so many hostages still in captivity, it is our duty, like Jews, to speak. “
Israeli background: Discovery of the Gaza Tunnel manufactured by the Army to stop the Fire Agreement
This recognition is important for me as a Palestinian in the United Kingdom because the British fellow citizens of the Jewish community see the violence suffered by my people in Palestine at the hands of the country that support as Jews and who affirm. The state of occupation clearly does not do that, since the 36 signatories are now among the innumerable British Jews who have joined the pro-palestinian manifestations in London and other cities throughout the country, that Jews recognize genocide and insist that this “is not in our name.”
They have done a little beer for many pro-Israel groups as “the incorrect type of Jew” or “self-moderating Jews.”
How did the BOD react to this letter? Was it a attention call that encouraged the other deputies to think again what their support for Israel is doing to their Jewish souls and values?
The answer came on a tweet that did not cease to surprise me: “After the complaints of the deputies and the public, the 36 signatories to the letter in the Financial Times They are now subject to a complaint procedure. “He added that the procedure would take at least four weeks.
The Bod executive also suspended the vice president of the international division for signing the letter and “and giving more media interviews.”
When commenting on the letter, President Phil Rosenberg offers: “As British Jews, we should not comment on what an Israeli political issue is effective.” And yet, Bod’s position always has an extremely close leg and supports Israel in all matters, including politics. In fact, Rosenberg said on Instagram that: “It was good to see Israelí Foreign Minister @GidSaar today in London.”
Saar made a “private” visit without prior notice to London, where he with the British Foreign Secretary and the Secretary of Foreign Affairs in the Shadow. This is a man who is a member of the extreme Israeli government of the extreme right who is committing war crimes, crimes against humanity, ethnic cleaning and genocide, according to most human rights organizations and help, as well as the court or international justice. He is imposing a blockade to Gaza, looking at the Palestinians and denying the entry of help while continuing to make Gaza not go to the extinguishing of the extension that the Palestinians who are desperate leave if they could.
The position of the 36 deputies signed by the letter is, therefore, incompatible with Pro-Israel organizations.
These organizations are, through their support from Blind to Israel, acting in a way contrary to Jewish values.
I really want the position of the 36, which I appreciate, could have been a turning point by causing more efforts to end the terrible genocide on the ongoing of Israel by simply saying that enough is enough. The events of October 7, 2023 were painful, but what he has followed is unbearable. That the way for the liberation of prisoners of war and the end of murder and destruction is through speaking should be obvious. Hamas is now offering to free all the prisoners of war in exchange for an end of the war and the reconstruction of Gaza.
For any peace to be sustained, Israel must end his statements about the Palestinian, Syrian and Lebanese country. That should also be obvious. In addition, the Palestinians must realize their legitimate rights to peace, freedom, equality and justice in their homeland. That will bring the security of Israel and will be a lasting legacy to the terrible 18 months that the Palestinians and Israelis have supported.
As for the 36 deputies, I say that they see and unite us in the next demonstration in London, when we will mark the anniversary of the Nakba of 1948. Why not join the block or the Jewish protesters? You will be more than welcome.
Opinion: Break
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