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Leading rabbi voices ‘deep concerns’ over Rafah ground offensive

Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg of Masorti Judaism said he felt unable to stay silent on the issue

February 13, 2024 17:23
Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg (Photo: X)
Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg said he felt compelled to express his concerns about an attack on Rafah (Photo: X)

BySimon Rocker, Simon Rocker

1 min read

One of the UK’s most prominent rabbis has voiced his “deep concern” over Israel’s impending assault on Rafah in southern Gaza and fear its actions could haunt the country and the Jewish people “for generations”.

In a statement issued on Monday, Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg, senior rabbi of Masorti Judaism, said Israel’s potential actions made it impossible to remain silent.

While noting the barbarity of Hamas and cynicism of Iran, he said that “over a million Palestinian civilians, most already in flight from the north of Gaza, are now trapped with nowhere to go”.

Throughout, Judaism had stressed “our duty” to refugees and the helpless, while international law called for the protection of non-combatants. “How can we be unmoved by their grief and suffering?” he asked.