Senior UK Rabbis Back Sanctions on Israeli Settlements Amid Diplomatic Tension

The UK government announced sweeping trade sanctions on Israeli settlements in the West Bank, describing the occupation as unlawful. A number of senior British rabbis publicly endorsed the measures. Jonathan Wittenberg, a senior rabbi of Masorti Judaism, said the violence he witnessed in Umm al-Khair compelled him to speak out “We must speak out. We must do so out of deep concern for what is human and just, and for the sake of Israel and Judaism. We cannot turn away.” — Jonathan Wittenberg, a senior rabbi of Masorti Judaism. The playbook of these settlers is predicated on the notion that they will be appeased or ignored, and that well-meaning Jews the world over overlook their illegal and criminal actions.” — New London Synagogue, who came out in favour of Miliband’s sanctions. Rabbi Alexandra Wright, vice-chair of the British Friends of Rabbis for Human Rights, framed the sanctions as a commitment to a two-state solution.

The Guardian

While progressive-leaning rabbis supported the policy, other Jewish bodies opposed it. Jonathan Boyd of the Institute for Jewish Policy Research noted that British Jewish opinion on Israeli policy varies by age, denomination and politics, and that most feel a strong emotional attachment to Israel.

The Guardian

Israel responded by closing the British consulate in Jerusalem and banning twelve British MPs and activists from entry. The United States’ ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, warned of possible retaliatory trade action, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the U.S. would not mirror the UK’s steps but did not want West Bank destabilisation.

The Guardian

• Ed Miliband (UK foreign secretary): Regretted Israel’s consulate closure but affirmed the sanctions were the “right thing to do.”

The Guardian

• Gilad Kariv (Knesset member): Blamed Israeli leaders Benjamin Netanyahu, Bezalel Smotrich, Israel Katz and Gideon Sa’ar for prompting European sanctions “The blame for the European countries’ announcement of sanctions falls squarely on the shoulders of [Benjamin] Netanyahu, [Bezalel] Smotrich, [Israel] Katz, and [Gideon] Sa’ar.” — Knesset Gilad Kariv.

The Guardian

• Rabbi Charley Baginsky and Rabbi Josh Levy (Progressive Judaism co-leaders): Described the sanctions as a “clumsy tool” with possible unintended consequences and urged opponents to move beyond statements.

The Guardian

• “We must speak out. We must do so out of deep concern for what is human and just, and for the sake of Israel and Judaism. We cannot turn away.” — Jonathan Wittenberg, a senior rabbi of Masorti Judaism

The Guardian

• “It is wrong to argue for silence, inaction or ‘the use of carrots’ – appeasement – before the settler movement and those who support it. The playbook of these settlers is predicated on the notion that they will be appeased or ignored, and that well-meaning Jews the world over overlook their illegal and criminal actions.” — New London Synagogue, who came out in favour of Miliband’s sanctions

The Guardian

• “The blame for the European countries’ announcement of sanctions falls squarely on the shoulders of [Benjamin] Netanyahu, [Bezalel] Smotrich, [Israel] Katz, and [Gideon] Sa’ar.” — Knesset Gilad Kariv

The Guardian

These reactions illustrate the split within Britain’s Jewish community and the broader diplomatic reverberations of the UK’s settlement sanctions.

The Guardian