U.K. Sanctions on Israeli Settlements in West Bank Create Divisions Among British Rabbis

Britain’s recent sanctions targeting Jewish settlements in the Israeli-occupied West Bank have led to a public split among British rabbis. These reactions are framed amid concerns for Jewish communities in Britain.

Some rabbis have backed the sanctions, citing incidents of violence they have witnessed or experienced from extremist settlers in the West Bank. Conversely, the chief rabbi, leader of Britain’s Orthodox Jewish community, is among those who criticized the sanctions.

The differing viewpoints emerge as the Jewish calendar approaches its most sacred period. This division highlights the deep-seated differences among British Jews, a group that has faced multiple violent attacks lately.

Nobody should ever suggest that they represent the single opinion of any group of Jews anywhere, stated Rabbi Jeremy Gordon, who released a letter backing the sanctions while sharing his own experiences with settlers.

Rabbi Gordon emphasized that while British Jews hold diverse perspectives on Israeli and British politics, almost none endorse or tolerate violence. There are very few people who would associate themselves with the extreme far right in Israel, he added.

The sanctions, announced together with Canada and France, prohibit trade in goods from settlements. Support came from twelve countries.