Chief Rabbi encourages donations to Gaza amid images of ‘terrible suffering’

“While Hamas’ persistent disinformation and cynical use of civilians make it difficult to distinguish truth from falsehood, it is abundantly clear that the children of Gaza deserve responsible leadership and a much better future.

“If Hamas had shown even the slightest concern for human life and dignity, agreed to internationally brokered hostage deals, or cared for the basic wellbeing of the Gazan population, this war would have been over long ago. Indeed, they would never have started it.”

The Chief Rabbi warned against emboldening Hamas, calling instead for increased pressure on the terror group to end the conflict.

“To bring an end to the intolerable pain of this conflict, we must not embolden or reward Hamas. Those who wish to see an end to this suffering must bring the maximum pressure to bear on Hamas, to release the hostages immediately, enable the free distribution of aid, end the suffering and allow the entire region to move towards a chance for genuine security and peace.

“I would encourage all who are looking for a secure and tangible way to contribute to the aid effort, to support the work of World Jewish Relief, which is working with trusted humanitarian partners in coordination with Israeli authorities to this end.”

Earlier this month, World Jewish Relief announced their support for Gaza “with full communal support.”

“We cannot and should not forget the many thousands of innocent Palestinians in Gaza who are suffering in an acute humanitarian crisis,” the Jewish charity said.

The Chief Rabbi’s reference to the charity comes as two human rights groups in Israel – B’Tselem and Physicians for Human Rights Israel (PHRI) – accused the Jewish State of committing genocide in Gaza in separate reports published on Monday.

The interventions are reportedly the first time that prominent Israeli human rights organisations have made the accusation.

B’Tselem alleged “mass killing” and “large-scale destruction of infrastructure” in Gaza, while PHRI accused Israel of “a deliberate and systematic dismantling of Gaza’s health and life-sustaining systems”.

In a report titled “Our Genocide”, B’Tselem stated: “The recognition that the Israeli regime is committing genocide in the Gaza Strip, and the deep concern that it may expand to other areas where Palestinians live under Israeli rule, demand urgent and unequivocal action from both Israeli society and the international community.”

B’Tselem added that the “immense trauma of Israelis” on October 7 was “exploited by the current extreme-right government to advance a policy that key figures had already been trying to promote.”

Releasing its separate report titled “Destruction of conditions of life: a health analysis of the Gaza genocide”, PHRI wrote: “Today, we are releasing a position paper that documents this assault for what it is: a deliberate, cumulative dismantling of Gaza’s health system and, with it, the population’s ability to survive. This is genocide.

“The position paper shows how Israel destroyed the very conditions necessary for life, through direct attacks on hospitals, obstruction of medical aid and evacuations, and the targeting of healthcare personnel. This is not collateral damage or a side effect of war. It is the systematic creation of unlivable conditions. It is the denial of survivability.

“Governments and the international community must act now: press for a ceasefire, restore Gaza’s health system, enable aid access, protect medical workers and stop the genocide.”

Israel has repeatedly denied claims of a genocide in Gaza, including in an ongoing case at the International Court of Justice.

The government has also denied the suggestion that its military has committed war crimes in the Strip. It claims that while the Israel Defense Force does not target civilians, casualties are inevitable because of how Hamas operates in the urban warzone, including using civilians as human shields. The IDF claims to take measures not to harm civilians.

In recent days, as reports of starvation in Gaza have spread and international pressure has mounted, Israel announced several measures to increase the flow of aid to the enclave, including emergency airdrops of food into Gaza.