LONDON: A major body representing Jews in the UK has suspended one of its senior figures and is investigating dozens of others after they signed a letter condemning Israel’s renewed offensive in Gaza.
The Board of Deputies of British Jews said it had launched the probe after “multiple complaints” in response to the letter published in the Financial Times last week.
The letter, signed by 36 members of the group, said they could not “turn a blind eye or remain silent in the face of this renewed loss of life and livelihoods” in Gaza.
Among the signatories was Harriett Goldenberg, vice chair of the organization’s international division. Members of the group’s executive committee voted to suspend her while the complaints procedure is underway, a statement on Tuesday said.
The Board of Deputies is the largest representative body of Jews in the UK with 300 deputies elected by synagogues and communal organizations.
The group previously criticized the UK government for putting pressure on Israel over the military campaign in Gaza that has killed more than 51,000 people.
The recent letter represented a significant break from the official position of the Board of Deputies, which has offered support for Israel since the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, 2023 that killed 1,200 people and led to the capture of 250 hostages.
Board of Deputies President Phil Rosenberg said: “We take alleged breaches of the code of conduct very seriously.
“The Board of Deputies is clear: Only our democratically elected honorary officers and authorized staff speak on behalf of the organization.”
Goldenberg told the Financial Times last week that British Jews run the risk of being complicit if they do not speak up.
“In Jewish history, silence is not a good thing,” she said.
The letter condemned Israel for breaking a ceasefire in Gaza, which had led to the killing of “hundreds and hundreds more Palestinians.”
It also said this “most extremist” Israeli government was openly encouraging violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.
