Five Members of UK Jewish Group Suspended for Criticizing Israel’s War Against Hamas

Report by “Safarti Tarjuman” International News Desk

LONDON — The Board of Deputies of British Jews has suspended five of its members for two years following their role in organizing an open letter that criticized Israel’s military campaign against Hamas in Gaza.

The controversial letter, published in the Financial Times on April 16, accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of pursuing destructive policies to placate far-right political factions within his coalition government. The letter declared that “our Jewish values compel us to stand up and to speak out,” sparking backlash from segments of the UK’s Jewish community aligned with more pro-Israel stances.

The Board, an umbrella organization representing UK Jewry, confirmed on Tuesday that a two-month internal investigation determined that all 36 signatories of the letter had breached its code of conduct.

According to the Board’s findings:

• 31 signatories who signed the letter without further involvement will receive a formal notice of criticism. They have been warned that repeated infractions could lead to suspension.
• 5 members who played a direct role in coordinating and publishing the letter were suspended for two years.

Of those five, three have been offered the chance to reduce their suspensions to six months if they issue a formal apology.

The Board of Deputies emphasized the importance of unity and responsibility in public discourse, particularly during times of conflict.

The disciplinary action has reignited debate within the UK Jewish community regarding the boundaries of internal criticism of Israel during wartime. While some see the letter as a legitimate moral objection grounded in Jewish values, others view it as divisive and potentially harmful to Jewish communal solidarity.

The original letter drew support from approximately 10 percent of the Board’s membership and was widely circulated beyond the Jewish press, amplifying its impact.

The situation reflects growing tensions within diaspora communities over Israel’s military policies in Gaza, with dissenting voices increasingly visible yet often facing institutional pushback.

Thank you for reading! For comprehensive news coverage and exclusive stories, visit SafartiTarjuman.com