Key facts
- Several Jewish groups, including Holocaust Survivors and Descendants against Gaza Genocide and Jewish Voice for Liberation, have written to UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
- The letter urges Burnham to oppose restrictions on Palestine marches and adopt stronger measures against Israel.
- Signatories stated they participate in Palestine marches, viewing Israel's actions as genocide.
- The groups criticized the characterization of pro-Palestine marches as antisemitic.
- The letter also criticized Labour's handling of antisemitism allegations under Keir Starmer.
- The government is preparing to announce measures against Israel, including a ban on goods from illegal settlements.
Several Jewish civil society groups have written to British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, urging him to adopt stronger measures against Israel and to oppose further restrictions on Palestine marches. The letter, signed by Holocaust survivors and descendants, argues that there is a diversity of views on Israel within the UK Jewish community and that they regularly participate in pro-Palestine marches, viewing Israel's actions as genocide.
The signatories criticized the characterization of these marches as antisemitic, stating they have received goodwill from fellow protesters. They also criticized the Labour Party's handling of antisemitism allegations under former leader Keir Starmer, suggesting it has provided Israel with a "protective cloak" for its actions and undermined freedom of speech.
This comes as the Burnham government is preparing to announce new measures concerning the occupied West Bank, including a potential ban on goods from illegal Israeli settlements. Major British Jewish organizations, such as the Jewish Leadership Council and the Board of Deputies of British Jews, have previously met with Burnham and urged against such a ban, warning of negative impacts on British Jews and their connection to religious sites. UK Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis also warned sanctions could have a detrimental effect.
Conversely, groups like Na'amod have expressed support for stronger measures against Israel, calling them a "minimum response." Jenny Manson, co-chair of Jewish Voice for Liberation, highlighted that many Jews share the anger and misery over Israel's actions and that the diversity of Jewish views is often ignored by the government.