**British Jewish Leader Criticizes Open Letter Attacking Israel**
The President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, Brian Klug Rosenberg, has spoken out against a letter signed by some members of his organization criticizing Israel’s actions in Gaza. In a statement, Rabbi Rosenberg criticized the signatories for their decision to go public with their concerns, which he believes has divided the Jewish community.
**A Divided Community**
According to Rabbi Rosenberg, the signatories of the open letter have now experienced what many leaders within the Board have known for some time – that it is relatively easy to get media attention in the UK. However, this has come at a cost, as it has created divisions within the Jewish community. Rabbi Rosenberg emphasized that he is confident that the vast majority of Deputies agree with him on this matter.
**Concerns for Israel and Gaza**
Rabbi Rosenberg acknowledged that the signatories have a strong and genuine concern for the current situation in Israel and Gaza. However, he believes that this concern should be expressed through constructive dialogue and not by criticizing Israel’s actions publicly. He noted that unity is strength, while division is the enemy’s tool.
**Background to the Conflict**
The conflict between Israel and Hamas began on October 7th, 2023, when Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on Israeli territory. The attack resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 people, with 25 being killed in a single incident. Since then, Israel has restarted its military campaign, leading to further casualties.
**Hamas Rejects Ceasefire Proposal**
Just yesterday, Hamas rejected an Israeli proposal for a ceasefire, stating that it will not extend the current “state of calm”. The conflict has been ongoing since October 2023, with 1,691 people reported dead on both sides.
