The Board of Deputies this evening held a special meeting for its Deputies to discuss the organisation’s response to developments in the Middle East, including the desperate humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and the latest UK announcement in relation to recognition of a Palestinian state.
Following the meeting, Board of Deputies President Phil Rosenberg said:
“Our membership embraces a diverse range of views that were expressed in the meeting, and we continue to work to build a broad consensus across our community. In our ongoing engagement with all parties we will continue to ensure the voices and concerns of British Jews are heard.”
Phil Rosenberg added:
“The suffering we are witnessing in the Gaza Strip demands a response. The new measures announced by Israeli authorities to address the humanitarian crisis are essential if long overdue. We need to see a rapid, uninhibited, and sustained increase in aid through all available channels, and we need to see all agencies cooperating in this endeavour. As we have been saying for months, food must not be used as a weapon of war, by any side in this conflict.
“We are clear eyed about the heinous acts of Hamas on 7 October and since, and share in the UK government’s demands that Hamas immediately return all the hostages, accept a ceasefire, give up control of Gaza and disarm.
“The Board of Deputies has long supported a negotiated two-state solution that ensures a secure Israel alongside a viable Palestinian State, whilst maintaining that recognising a Palestinian State without a diplomatic agreement risks putting gestures ahead of substance. However, our primary concern regarding the government’s announcement is to avoid empowering or rewarding Hamas, or giving it incentives to continue evading a ceasefire.
“We are therefore seeking clarification that the UK Government will not recognise a Palestinian State while Hamas fails to meet UK demands, including accepting a ceasefire and releasing the hostages. We will also continue to stress the responsibilities of the Palestinian Authority in relation to resolving the conflict, and the ongoing need to confront Iran and its proxies who remain implacably opposed to peace.
“It is clear that our community overwhelmingly rejects the appalling rhetoric and unacceptable proposals from some Israeli ministers, particularly in relation to the forced displacement of Gazans, as well as the intolerable violence perpetrated by extremist settlers in the West Bank, all of which are in complete contradiction to our values.
“Our solidarity remains with the Israeli people. This war continues to take an unbearable toll on them, and we know that most want to see it end as soon as possible. It is also taking a toll on our own community, including through the unacceptable proliferation of hatred and discrimination directed at Jews in this country.
“In our engagements with all parties we will continue to call for a massive and sustained flow of aid into Gaza, the release of all remaining hostages, the removal of Hamas, and the need to work towards lasting peace and security for Israelis, Palestinians and the wider Middle East. This is an urgent mission and we will play an active role in every way we can.”