The United Synagogue

Our Views On The News


End Hamas Terror, Peace For The People Of
Israel And Gaza




"The United Synagogue has as one of its core values the centrality of Israel in Jewish Life. Whilst, as with all of the Jewish community in Great Britain, we feel sorrow and empathy for the suffering of innocent people throughout Southern Israel and Gaza, we affirm the right of the State of Israel to protect the lives of its citizens and we stand full square behind the Israel Defense Forces in its efforts to bring peace and stability to the area. I would ask all our community to come to the rally this Sunday to shout this message loud and clear."

- Jeremy Jacobs, US Chief Executive


"It is vital that we in the Jewish Community in Great Britain express our solidarity with the State of Israel, and we ask all London Jewry to attend the rally in Trafalgar Square this Sunday to express their fervent wish that Hamas terror should end so that there will be peace for all the innocent people in the region."

- Simon Hochhauser, US President



The Rally

A rally in London's Trafalgar Square is to be held on Sunday 11th January at 11:00, which will be the culmination of five days of intensive advocacy for Israel. The period of activity will reflect the support for Israel felt by the British Jewish community, and concern for the people of Israel and Gaza suffering as a result of Hamas's policy of terror.

At a meeting yesterday at the offices of the Board of Deputies, a large cross section of communal organisations met to plan the communal show of solidarity with Israel and an appreciation of the intolerable situation faced by a significant proportion of Israel's population in the face of years of relentless rocket attacks from Gaza.

Board President Henry Grunwald QC said, "No British government would - or could - or should have to - put up with the constant barrage of rockets and missiles from a neighbouring country, especially one ruled by a terrorist organisation whose very reason for existence is your destruction."

A concentrated and thorough campaign was decided upon which will see five days of intensive activism.

Wednesday

In the evening, hundreds of supporters of Israel will gather outside the Israeli Embassy in Kensington where there have been a series of pro-Hamas rallies in recent days.

To find your local MP please visit www.bicom.org.uk/background/faqs

Thursday

Members of the community will be urged to write to their MPs expressing their support for Israel's position, to ensure that key decision makers are seeing a balanced view of the conflict in Gaza.

Friday

The focus will switch to writing to news and media outlets to ensure that a balanced account of the conflict is reflected in the media. Briefing material will be freely available to ensure that everyone has the appropriate tools at their disposal to write clear and concise messages to key opinion formers. More information is available from solidarity@bod.org.uk.

Saturday

Special prayers for Israel will be said across United Synagogue Shuls this Shabbat, we hope for a speedy resolution to the crisis and for a peaceful conclusion to all violence in the region. To find your local United Synagogue Community go to: Find Your Local US Community

Sunday

In the morning, in Trafalgar square in London and in Albert Square in Manchester, supporters of Israel from across the country will gather in solidarity with the Israel and all those who value peace, to speak out against Hamas and their ruthless regime which has brought so much misery to the innocent civilians of Gaza.

In addition, the UJIA has announced a solidarity mission to Israel in which the leadership of the charity will visit areas on the southern and northern borders of Israel that have been terrorised in recent years.

Henry Grunwald QC commented, "Israel needs and deserves your support now. Please be there on Sunday."


For more information, please contact Mark Frazer. Tel: 020 7543 5408
Email: mark.frazer@bod.org.uk