British Jewish leaders break silence over Gaza war

Prominent members of the Board of Deputies openly criticise Israeli actions and urge moral accountability.

Members of the Orthodox Jewish community hold placards during the pro-Palestinian Al-Quds Day march opposing the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories, along Oxford Street on March 23, 2025, in London, United Kingdom. Photo by Mike Kemp/In Pictures

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

British Jewish leaders break silence over Gaza war in a rare and emotional public statement, marking the first time since the war began that members of the UK’s most prominent Jewish organisation have openly criticised the Israeli government. Thirty-six members of the Board of Deputies of British Jews have taken a stand in an open letter, published in the Financial Times, warning that “Israel’s soul is being ripped out” by its actions in Gaza.

The signatories represent about one in eight of the Board's full members. Their message represents a profound moral reckoning and an urgent appeal for reflection within the wider Jewish community. They write that “the inclination to avert our eyes is strong, as what is happening is unbearable, but our Jewish values compel us to stand up and to speak out.”

The letter arrives at a moment when the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to escalate, and international criticism of Israel’s military campaign has reached unprecedented levels. With over 51,000 Palestinians reported killed since October, and with hundreds more deaths following the collapse of a truce in March, the cost of the war has become increasingly difficult for many in the diaspora to ignore.

'We cannot turn a blind eye'

The letter's central message—that silence is no longer an option—echoes the growing unease among British Jews over the prolonged conflict. "We cannot turn a blind eye or remain silent," the authors insist, lamenting the continued loss of life and the breakdown of ceasefire talks following March 18.

The collapse of the truce and the failure to secure the release of Israeli hostages taken by Hamas during its October 7 attack have reignited the war’s most devastating phase. Of the original 251 hostages captured during that attack, 58 are still held in Gaza, including 34 that the Israeli military believes to be dead.

While the letter reaffirms the writers’ emotional and historical ties to Israel, it also expresses profound concern for the moral consequences of the Israeli government’s current strategy. “Israel’s soul is being ripped out and we… fear for the future of the Israel we love,” the letter declares.

Condemning extremism in Israel’s leadership

Perhaps the most striking element of the letter is its direct criticism of the current Israeli administration under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The signatories describe it as “the most extremist of Israeli governments,” accusing it of “openly encouraging violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.”

This statement is a significant departure from the Board of Deputies’ long-standing tradition of avoiding open confrontation with Israel’s elected leadership. For decades, the Board has generally aligned itself with official Israeli policy, even during times of intense global scrutiny.

The decision of these members to challenge that line reflects a shift in the internal dynamics of British Jewry—a sign that dissent, previously kept private, is now moving into the public domain. And it’s not just about Gaza: the letter also speaks to growing concern about the radicalisation of Israeli politics and its consequences for peace, security, and moral integrity.

Acknowledging Palestinian suffering

In a tone of shared mourning and humanity, the signatories express their grief for both Israeli and Palestinian lives lost. “We stand against the war. We acknowledge and mourn the loss of Palestinian life,” the letter states.

This acknowledgement marks another deviation from the typical narrative advanced by many Jewish communal leaders, who often focus exclusively on Israeli suffering while remaining cautious in public statements about Palestinian casualties.

According to the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza, the total Palestinian death toll has now reached over 51,000. Since the breakdown of the truce in March, at least 1,691 Palestinians have been killed in renewed Israeli operations.

On the Israeli side, the October 7 attack by Hamas resulted in 1,218 deaths, mostly civilians. The brutality of the assault—which included reports of hostage-taking, sexual violence, and indiscriminate murder—triggered widespread outrage and led to the Israeli government’s declaration of war.

Deep divides within the community

A spokesperson for the Board of Deputies acknowledged the letter but hinted at internal division. “Other members will no doubt put more emphasis on the fundamental responsibility of Hamas for this ghastly situation,” the statement said.

This reflects the delicate balance many Jewish institutions must maintain—between loyalty to Israel, commitment to Jewish values, and the moral implications of supporting military campaigns that produce high civilian casualties.

The Board of Deputies, which represents Jewish communities across the UK, has typically taken great care to remain united in public, particularly on issues relating to Israel. The emergence of this letter signals a growing divergence of opinion that may be harder to contain moving forward.

Generational and moral shifts

Observers have noted that the signatories span a range of backgrounds, but many are thought to be younger and more progressive voices within the British Jewish establishment. These are individuals who came of age in an era of global human rights awareness and who are more likely to see moral criticism of Israel as consistent with Jewish ethics.

Their intervention mirrors similar trends seen among Jewish communities in the United States, Canada, and Australia, where younger generations are more willing to challenge traditional narratives and advocate for Palestinian rights.

These trends are putting pressure on long-standing Jewish organisations to adapt. As war continues, and as images of destruction in Gaza dominate the media, silence may become increasingly untenable—even for the most cautious leaders.

A plea for accountability

Ultimately, the letter from these 36 Board members is a plea for moral clarity and political accountability. While reaffirming their love for Israel and acknowledging the horror of Hamas’s October 7 attack, the writers argue that unconditional support for Israeli policy is no longer compatible with their Jewish values.

“We are motivated not by hostility to Israel, but by love and fear for its future,” one signatory said in a separate interview. “To remain silent would be a betrayal—not only of the Palestinians suffering now, but of everything Judaism has taught us about justice, compassion, and truth.”

The decision to publish the letter in a mainstream financial newspaper—not a religious or communal outlet—underscores their intent to reach beyond the Jewish community. It is a message directed as much at the British public as at fellow Jews: a call to resist moral apathy and to speak out, even when it is uncomfortable.

As the war in Gaza rages on, and as the political debate within Israel intensifies, such voices may shape a new kind of dialogue among diaspora Jews—one rooted in empathy, accountability, and a deep commitment to universal human dignity.