British Rabbis Break Their Long silence - 9.13.2026

The debate among British Rabbis over the U.K.’s sanctions against Israeli settlements raises a profound moral question: what do Jewish Values require when Palestinians are subjected to occupation, settler violence, displacement, and enormous human suffering?

Chief Rabbi EPHRAIM MIRVIS calls the sanctions a “dark day for British Jews” and warns that they could increase antisemitism. Yet Rabbis such as JONATHAN WITTENBERG and JEREMY GORDON have taken a different moral position, arguing that confronting extremist settler violence is entirely consistent with Jewish Values.

The crucial point is that opposing the actions of an Israeli Government is not the same as opposing Jews. Indeed, using accusations of antisemitism repeatedly to deflect legitimate criticism of Israeli policies risks weakening the fight against genuine antisemitism.

How can the horrific suffering of Palestinian civilians, the destruction of Gaza, the displacement of Palestinians, and allegations of torture and other abuses be reconciled with the Jewish commandment to pursue justice and human dignity?

The world must hold governments accountable regardless of their religion or nationality. BENJAMIN NETANYAHU faces an International Criminal Court arrest warrant alleging war crimes and crimes against humanity. The UNITED STATES and other governments that provide military and political support to ISRAEL must also examine their responsibility for the consequences of that support.

We must never invoke the Holocaust merely to silence criticism. Its deepest lesson is that dehumanization, collective punishment, and indifference to the suffering of innocent people must never be repeated.

Jewish Values, Christian Values, Muslim Values, and the moral teachings shared by humanity all point toward the same principle: every human life is precious. GOD is the common Father of all humanity. Justice, Compassion, Mercy, and Peace must apply to Palestinians and Israelis alike.

The time has come to choose humanity over hatred and justice over political expediency.