Middle East tragedy

Sir - We are a diverse group of Jews in Britain deeply dismayed by the human tragedies unfolding in the Middle East and the terrible and futile loss of life.

We deplore the relentless bombardment of any civilians, Lebanese, Israeli and Palestinian, as well as the systematic destruction of civilian infrastructures. We believe such actions, in flagrant violation of international humanitarian law, can never be justified, regardless of the provocation.

We call on our Government to align itself with those countries demanding an immediate ceasefire, for the international community to intervene decisively to secure this on a long-term basis, and for a swift and complete end to Israel’s nearly 40-year occupation of Palestinian territories, which remains key to a broader peace settlement between Israel and all its neighbours.

Signed:

Lisa Appignanesi

Geoffrey Bindman

Lady (Ellen) Dahrendorf

Dr Edie Friedman

Uri Fruchtmann

Rabbi Dr David Goldberg

Dr Anthony Isaacs

June Jacobs

Ann Jungman

Anne Karpf

Dr Brian Klug

Prof Francesca Klug

Dr Tony Klug

Antony Lerman

Dr Susie Orbach

Prof Sir Nigel Rodley

Prof Jacqueline Rose

Leon Rosselson

Prof Donald Sassoon

Prof Lynne Segal

Gillian Slovo

Henry Stewart

Carrie Supple

Janet Suzman,

London NW5

This letter also appeared on Saturday 29 July in the (conservative) Daily Telegraph in the UK, signed by two dozen eminent British Jews.