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Thousands of British Jews are looking for a just and humane resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in line with Jewish values of justice, tolerance and mutual respect. They look to the community’s official leaders for support. Now that it is clear that British Jews more often feel ‘very critical of Israeli Government Policies’(31%) than generally support them (24%) (JC 18.6.04), it is time to distinguish the interests of the Jewish community in Britain from the policies adopted by Israeli governments of the day, of whatever political persuasion. We fear that the Board of Deputies of British Jews fails to make the distinction, to the detriment of general support for Israel in the Jewish community and in the population as a whole.
Unacceptable repression in Rafah has shocked the world. A new approach is needed. As Jews in Britain we believe Israel should be subject to the same criteria and moral and legal standards as we apply to our own government. The Board of Deputies is critical of aspects of current Israeli policies but will not to voice them openly for fear this will be used by Israel’s enemies. That silence is being used by false friends of Israel and reminds us all too much of the failure of Jewish leadership in the past - in continental Europe, in apartheid South Africa - to stand up to naked abuse of power.
We are horrified by unilateral action, repression, targeted assassinations, house demolitions, extended imprisonment without charge or trial, extended curfews and other collective punishments. They are inhumane and they are counter-productive. They fuel resentment and do nothing for a long-term peace.
Similarly, all attacks on civilians by either side, including suicide bombings are to be condemned. There is no mileage in seeing them as ‘justified’ retaliation – this merely fuels an endless cycle of violence.
An Israeli withdrawal from Gaza would be a welcome start to Israel meeting its international obligations; but such a withdrawal must be on terms that allow the people of Gaza the chance of constructing a life of peace with dignity. The only lasting solution will be a negotiated one. The continued seizure of ever more lands on the occupied West Bank makes it impossible for any credible Palestinian agency to believe that the Israeli government is genuinely seeking peace. The accelerated construction of the ‘separation fence’ deep in Palestinian territory, is fuelling this distrust.
To allow criticism of Israeli government policy to be dismissed on the basis that it is a ‘new antisemitism’ is unjustified and unworthy of the generations of victims of antisemitism. We must oppose genuine antisemitism wherever it rears its head but not desensitise people by abusing the term.
The Board of Deputies of British Jews is not, and should not be, the voice of the Israeli government. Too often it seems to be just that. We call on the Board to stand up and respond to the widespread desire in Britain’s Jewish community for a just and peaceful long-term solution to the conflict. Silence on this discredits us all.
page last updated 15 July, 2004