Greater than 1,000 rabbis and Jewish leaders denounce hunger in Gaza

Greater than 1,000 rabbis and different Jewish leaders from across the globe, together with in Israel and the U.S., have signed a public letter urging Israel to permit intensive humanitarian support into Gaza.

The letter denounces Israel’s “mass killings of civilians” and “the use and threat of starvation as a weapon of war.” The Jewish leaders say Israel’s actions injury not simply the nation’s popularity, however Judaism itself.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has denied experiences of hunger in Gaza. Nonetheless, the letter calls upon Netanyahu and the Israeli authorities “to respect all innocent life.”

Rabbis from a number of denominations within the U.S., Canada, Israel and throughout Europe have signed the letter, which focuses on hunger and the humanitarian disaster in Gaza, however doesn’t denounce the warfare. The signatories clearly state that they help Israel’s battle in opposition to Hamas.

Former Rabbi Charles Feinberg led Adas Israel Congregation, the biggest Conservative synagogue in Washington, D.C. for over eight years. Israel is a “source of great pride” for a lot of Jewish folks, Feinberg mentioned, including nevertheless that he’s “disturbed by the conduct of the war.” He referred to as the shortage of meals support in Gaza “a terrible assault on Jewish ethics.”

“I think it is a real test of our faith. And that’s why this is such an important moment,” he advised Morning Version. “We, Jews, say every day a line: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord, our God, the Lord is one.’ And so, do we still believe that God is one? That God is one means that God cares about every human being, not just Jewish people.”

Many American Jews nonetheless help the warfare and stand firmly behind Israel, however rising numbers, significantly youthful Jews, have grown pissed off with the size and devastation of the battle that started almost two years in the past. Some are stepping away from mainstream Jewish establishments altogether, in keeping with Yonat Shimron, a senior editor at Faith Information Service.

In a dialog with NPR’s Steve Inskeep, Feinberg explains why he signed the letter and what Jewish leaders need from Israel.

The next dialog has been edited for size and readability. 

Interview Highlights

Steve Inskeep: Why signal this letter now?

Charles Feinberg: Oh, I feel I personally am significantly disturbed by the conduct of the warfare, and the shortage of meals support inside Gaza simply appears to be a horrible assault on Jewish ethics, truly.

Inskeep: Is it clear from you observing this that you just consider it’s inside Israel’s energy to do extra and to permit greater than they’re at the moment doing?

Feinberg: Sure, I consider that that is a part of the accountability of the navy operation, is to supply for the civilian inhabitants.

In Gaza, folks line up for meals distribution.

AFP by way of Getty Photographs

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AFP by way of Getty Photographs

In Gaza, folks line up for meals distribution.

AFP by way of Getty Photographs

Inskeep: Now, in studying the letter that you just signed, it begins by saying this, “The Jewish People face a grave moral crisis, threatening the very basis of Judaism as the ethical voice that it has been.” What about this disaster appears to you to implicate your complete religion?

Feinberg: Nicely, I feel it’s a actual take a look at of our religion. And that is why that is such an essential second. We, Jews, say day-after-day a line, ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord, our God, the Lord is one.’ And so, can we nonetheless consider that God is one? That God is one signifies that God cares about each human being, not simply Jewish folks. And so the truth that support shouldn’t be being given in an environment friendly manner, in a manner that individuals can obtain [and] in a manner that is not too pricey, is basically an essential Jewish worth as a result of we consider God is one.

Inskeep: What have you considered once you’ve heard the Israeli authorities’s response? The prime minister says there is not any hunger. Different Israeli officers will blame Hamas.

Feinberg: Sure. Nicely, I feel that is a part of the issue, there was no actual determination about what ought to be the tip of this warfare. And I feel that is additionally very regarding, that there is not any plan about easy methods to finish the warfare.

Inskeep: In fact, you want two events to make peace. Hamas is a part of this, however Israel has declined to sketch out what it needs the tip of the warfare to be.

Feinberg: And it isn’t taken any steps to prepare civilian society inside Gaza.

Inskeep: Are you able to describe how, if in any respect, this has more and more divided American Jews? If we take into consideration folks in your prolonged household or in your neighborhood or within the congregation that you just led for thus lengthy.

Feinberg: Sure, there may be a whole lot of stress about this as a result of Jewish individuals are pulled in numerous instructions. The state of Israel has at all times been a supply of nice delight to Jewish folks, and we have now supported it. And it has been a part of a dream that we might have our personal state and that we might have our personal energy to guard ourselves. However a part of having energy is to be accountable with it. And there is plenty of debate throughout the Jewish neighborhood of what meaning.

Inskeep: And the Jewish neighborhood is legendary for debate. However I ponder if that is attending to be a type of discussions the place you’ll be able to’t even stand to have the controversy. You must fall silent nearly amongst folks you like.

Feinberg: That’s true. And I feel over the previous few years, it has been tough to publicly debate a few of these points as a result of feelings are so excessive. And rabbis have been reluctant to handle a few of these points as a result of they’re so fearful that it might cut up their neighborhood.

Inskeep: We heard within the report earlier that the letter requires humanitarian support for Gaza, however stays in help of the warfare, the warfare in opposition to Hamas. Are you able to clarify how each of these issues may be true on the similar time?

Feinberg: Nicely, Hamas is a small faction throughout the Palestinian folks. And they also should be eradicated and overcome. What I consider, strongly, is that we have to help these Palestinians who do need to make peace with Israel. And there are a lot of Israeli Jews and Palestinians who’re working collectively to consider a option to resolve the battle. And we have to put our effort in supporting these teams.

The audio story was produced by Nia Dumas and edited by Mohamad ElBardicy. The digital story was edited by Olivia Hampton.