Chief Rabbi, Board of Deputies increase condemnation of government’s Palestinian policy
Chief Rabbi Mirvis released his strongest statement yet condemning the move, while the Board held a banner protest outside Parliament
Chief Rabbi Mirvis has condemned the British government’s intention to recognise a Palestinian state next week as a “historic error”, describing it as “a reward for terrorism while the hostages remain in chains” – while the Board of Deputies has held a banner protest outside Parliament condemning the move.
The UK, alongside another of other Western countries, has expressed its intention to recognise a Palestinian state at a UN conference in New York on Monday. Two months ago the government abruptly shifted from the UK’s long-term policy, which was to recognise a Palestinian state at a later stage as part of a peace process between Israelis and Palestinians. It announced that unless Israel committed to a series of steps, recognition would be forthcoming. No such conditions were required of Hamas.
Rabbi Mirvis has been vocally critical of the government’s change in policy. In some of the strongest language yet used by the spiritual leader, he described how “the unconditional recognition of a Palestinian State by the British Government at the forthcoming annual United Nations General Assembly, will prove to be a historic error of foreign policy, which will only impede the cause of peace.
“It is a reward for terrorism, while the hostages remain in chains, and has been celebrated by Hamas as ‘one of the fruits of 7 October.’”
His comments come as the Board of Deputies held a public banner protest in the heart of Westminster, with stark messages condemning the government’s intentions.
One banner pictures Ghazi Hamad, the senior Hamas leader who has gloated that “To recognise a Palestinian state is the fruits of 7 October.”
Another shows an image of an emaciated hostage, Evyatar David, who was filmed by Hamas as they forced him to dig what they told him was his own grave. “Recognise this,” the banner says.
Phil Rosenberg, President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, said:
“Recognising a Palestinian state while Hamas remains in control of Gaza and is still holding 48 hostages, risks rewarding terror and creating all the wrong incentives in terms of conflict resolution. We urge the UK Government to think again and pursue substance over gestures in bringing lasting peace and security to Israelis, Palestinians and the wider Middle East.”
Chief Rabbi Mirvis’s statement also pointed out that “the intended recognition is not contingent upon a functioning or democratic Palestinian government, nor even upon the most basic commitment to a peaceful future. It does not require an end to the shameful payment of stipends to the families of terrorists, nor the reform of an education system that teaches children to hate Jews. Astonishingly, it is not even conditional upon the release of the 48 hostages who remain in captivity.
“I call on our Government to pause and reflect on the calamitous impact of this approach for both Israelis and Palestinians. I urge them to act with the moral courage necessary to bring peace nearer, not to push it further away.”
On Thursday, representatives of the Board of Deputies and the Jewish Leadership Council met Hamish Falconer, the Middle East Minister, to discuss the government’s intention. In a joint statement afterwards, the organisations expressed frustration with the Government’s “insufficient clarity” over the practical implications of its decision to recognise a Palestinian state
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