Modern Orthodox rabbis call for ‘moral clarity’ over Gaza humanitarian crisis

Eighty Orthodox rabbis – including the former chief rabbi of Ireland and leaders of prominent congregations in Los Angeles and Washington DC – have signed a letter in response to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza stating “Judaism’s vision of justice and compassion extends to all human beings.”

In a significant intervention the rabbis also criticise the rise of extremist political voices in Israel, the hardening of sentiments about Palestinians, along with concern about the explosion of settler violence in the West Bank.

The letter, which is titled “A Call for Moral Clarity, Responsibility, and a Jewish Orthodox Response in the Face of the Gaza Humanitarian Crisis” was spearheaded by Rabbi Yosef Blau, a leading rabbi at Yeshiva University’s Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary who retired and moved to Israel this year.

Signatories include  the head of Yeshivat Maale Gilboa, a seminary in Israel; the chief rabbis of Poland, Denmark and Norway, as well as the former Chief Rabbi of Ireland, David Rosen.

While the letter stresses condemnation of Hamas it adds the terror group’s “sins and crimes do not relieve the government of Israel of its obligations to make whatever efforts are necessary to prevent mass starvation.”

The Modern Orthodox rabbis are all devoted supporters of Israel, but the letter insists: “We must affirm that Judaism’s vision of justice and compassion extends to all human beings.”

It continues: “The justified anger toward Hamas has dangerously expanded by some extremists into blanket suspicion of the entire population of Gaza – children included – tarnished as future terrorists.

“Meanwhile, in Yehuda and Shomron (the West Bank), extremist settler violence has resulted in the murder of civilians and has forced Palestinian villagers from their homes, further destabilising the region.”

In a statement explaining the letter Rabbi Blau said: “My support of Israel and Zionism stems from my commitment to Judaism. A non-critical loyalty is contradictory to the introspection fundamental to Judaism.

“When religion is used to justify a worship of power, it distorts basic morality.”