Forty Prominent Israelis Express Deep Gratitude to Deputies Behind FT Letter

A group of forty prominent Israeli figures — including former military commanders, diplomats, Knesset members, academics, and civil society leaders — have issued a powerful statement of appreciation to the 36 members of the Board of Deputies of British Jews who signed an open letter in the Financial Times criticizing the Israeli government’s conduct in the Gaza conflict.

The Israeli signatories, among them former IDF commanders, ambassadors, legal scholars, and leading intellectuals, acknowledged the personal risks the deputies face and lauded their "support in the battle we are fighting for the future and soul of Israel." They warned that the government’s current trajectory undermines democratic institutions and prioritizes power consolidation over the safe return of hostages and genuine peace.

The letter criticizes Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government for promoting “Jewish supremacy” and choosing “perpetual warfare” over diplomacy. The signatories underscore the need for unity in the Jewish world to uphold democratic and human values and condemn the silence of many communal leaders in the face of this crisis.

“The toll taken in the lives of Israeli soldiers, the unbearable suffering of the hostages and their families, and the destruction of Gaza... have failed to deter the Netanyahu government,” the letter states, calling instead for a diplomatic path forward.

Among those expressing gratitude are Avraham Burg, former Speaker of the Knesset; Prof. Naomi Chazan; former ambassadors Colette Avital and Alon Liel; former Attorney General Michael Ben-Yair; and dozens of others spanning Israel’s military, academic, and civil service spheres.

Read the full article here: Jewish News – Forty Prominent Israelis Express Gratitude