Jewish Diaspora Leaders Urge Israeli President to Halt West Bank Settler Violence
Prominent members of the Jewish diaspora, including former UK foreign secretary Malcolm Rifkind, have issued a powerful appeal to Israeli President Isaac Herzog, calling for immediate intervention to stop violent attacks by extremist settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank. This urgent plea comes in response to a recent surge in killings and arson incidents targeting Palestinian civilians, which have escalated tensions in the region.
Open Letter Gains Widespread Support
An open letter facilitated by the London Initiative, a liberal Zionist network comprising 360 influential Jewish, Israeli, and Israeli Palestinian figures, has garnered over 3,000 signatures from across the globe. Signatories include diplomats, philanthropists, rabbis, and academics from countries such as Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, South Africa, and various European nations. The letter, strategically timed for the Jewish festival of Passover, condemns the violence as morally reprehensible and a strategic threat to Israel's future.
The letter states: "Israel's security forces are clearly better able to protect Palestinian civilians in the West Bank, living under different levels of Israeli military and civil control, from Jewish terror. That they do not act decisively suggests a lack of directives from the government." It further emphasizes that the violence is not only shameful but also damages the relationship between world Jewry and Israel, potentially alienating future generations.
Key Signatories and Their Concerns
Notable UK signatories include Matthew Gould, former UK Ambassador to Israel; Lord Michael Levy, a former Middle East envoy and close ally of ex-Prime Minister Tony Blair; Sir Malcolm Rifkind, who served as a cabinet minister under Margaret Thatcher and John Major; Tory peer and Times columnist Daniel Finkelstein; philanthropist Dame Vivien Duffield; and Sir Mick Davis, a former Conservative party treasurer and co-founder of the London Initiative.
Internationally, the letter has been endorsed by figures such as billionaire Canadian philanthropist Charles Bronfman, Israeli diplomat Ilan Sztulman Starosta, former US ambassador to Belgium Michael M Adler, and former Canadian ambassador to Israel Jon Allen. Their collective voice underscores a deep concern within the Jewish community about the escalating violence and its implications for Israel's moral standing and security.
President Herzog's Response
In response to the letter, President Herzog posted a statement on X, acknowledging the "recent surge of violence by extremist elements in Judea and Samaria" and condemning "grave offences against innocent people." He affirmed that these acts contradict the foundational values of Israel and the ethical traditions of the Jewish people. Herzog stated that he has demanded authorities use all available means to bring perpetrators to justice and end the violence immediately.
Herzog added: "Violence and vigilantism are not only shameful crimes against innocents but also interfere with efforts to contend with clear and present Palestinian terror threats." He warned that such actions play into the hands of Israel's detractors, fueling hatred and weakening the nation, especially during a time of war and rising global antisemitism.
Background and Previous Appeals
This latest letter follows a previous appeal sent to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in August 2025, which was also facilitated by the London Initiative and signed by 6,300 Jews worldwide. That letter called for the restoration of humanitarian aid to Gaza, an end to the war, and enforcement of laws in the West Bank, while criticizing government rhetoric as inciting racism and hatred. The new letter notes that the situation regarding settler attacks has deteriorated since then, reaching a new low during recent conflicts with Iran.
The ongoing violence in the West Bank continues to draw international attention, with diaspora leaders emphasizing the need for decisive action to protect Palestinian civilians and uphold Israel's ethical standards. As tensions persist, the call for accountability and peace remains a critical issue for both local communities and global observers.
