OPINION: Silence is not an option – a Jewish response to Gaza’s humanitarian crisis

There comes a moment in any crisis when the moral imperative to speak becomes undeniable. For many in the British Jewish community, the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza has reached such a moment. I feel compelled to add my voice — not to take a political stance, but to affirm the enduring ethical values of our Jewish tradition: pikuach nefesh (the obligation to preserve life), tzedek (justice), and rachamim (compassion).

The events of 7 October remain an open wound. I continue to stand in full solidarity with the victims of terror and with the families of the hostages still in captivity. Their suffering must remain at the forefront of our hearts and minds. This is not to diminish, in any way, the serious and ongoing threat that Israel faces from Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran — threats which remain real and grave, and which the Jewish people cannot afford to ignore. But at the same time, the suffering of civilians in Gaza — many of them children — also demands our moral attention. These are not competing concerns. Judaism teaches us to care deeply for all human life.

In recent weeks, distressing reports have highlighted the severe humanitarian challenges facing many civilians in Gaza, particularly in relation to food, water, and access to medical care. Aid organisations on the ground — some of which have long-established presences and reputations — have issued warnings about the deteriorating conditions, especially for the most vulnerable. There have also been tragic instances where people have lost their lives while trying to access aid. These are deeply painful realities.

This is not a political statement, nor an attempt to adjudicate causes or responsibilities. It is a simple and profound recognition: hunger and human suffering, on this scale, are incompatible with the core values of our faith.

As Jews, we know what it means to be vulnerable. We know what it means to go without. Our history has taught us not only resilience, but the moral obligation to act when others are in need. Jewish ethics require us to respond to suffering — not because it is easy or comfortable, but because it is right.

The central tenet of pikuach nefesh teaches that the preservation of life overrides almost all other commandments. Tzedek demands that we pursue justice in how we treat others. Rachamim reminds us that compassion must always guide our response — especially in moments of great difficulty and pain. These values are not abstract ideals; they are practical imperatives.

I believe we must now lend our voices to calls for increased humanitarian access and urgent action to alleviate the conditions affecting civilians in Gaza. That includes support for practical steps that can facilitate the delivery of aid where it is needed, while continuing to call for the safe and immediate return of the hostages. These goals are not in conflict. Both reflect a deep concern for human life and dignity.

In times of war and trauma, opinions will understandably differ. But I hope we can all agree that alleviating hunger, ensuring access to essential aid, and upholding basic human dignity should never be a point of contention. These are humanitarian issues, not political ones.

This is not a time for judgement or recrimination. It is a time for compassion, rooted in our shared values and in the wisdom of our tradition. It is a time to remember that while we may not control the course of events, we can choose how we respond.

Now, as ever, let our response be shaped by who we are — a people whose history calls us to care, and whose faith demands that we act.

This is not a time for silence. It is a time for compassion.

Marie van der Zyl served as President of the Board of Deputies from 2018-2024