Community DIVIDED—British Jews vs. Israel Policy

In a move that’s sure to ignite fierce debate, a leading British Jewish body has suspended five deputies following their critical remarks about Israel, highlighting a deep internal fissure over free speech and community unity.

At a Glance

• The Board of Deputies of British Jews has suspended five of its elected representatives for two years.
• The action follows an open letter they signed in April 2025 that was highly critical of the Israeli government’s actions in Gaza.
• The letter accused Israel’s government of “fanning the flames of hatred” and claimed “Israel’s soul is being ripped out.”
• The Board insists the punishment is for breaching its code of conduct, not for stifling free speech, a claim disputed by critics.
• An additional 31 deputies who signed the letter have received formal warnings.

A Communal Fault Line Exposed

The Board of Deputies of British Jews, the largest representative body for the community, has suspended five of its elected members for two years following a major internal dispute over criticism of Israel. The disciplinary action, announced Tuesday, June 24, 2025, is the result of an open letter published in the Financial Times in April that was signed by 36 deputies.

The letter sharply condemned the Israeli government’s conduct in the Gaza war, stating its actions were “fanning the flames of hatred” and that “Israel’s soul is being ripped out by a government that has abandoned the country’s founding principles.” The public criticism sparked a two-month investigation by the Board’s leadership.

The Board’s Justification: Conduct, Not Content

The Board’s executive leadership has been adamant that the sanctions are not an attempt to silence dissent. Instead, they maintain the punishment is for a breach of the organization’s code of conduct. According to reports in Jewish News, the five suspended deputies were found to have gone further than merely signing the letter; they were involved in organizing and promoting it to the media, actions that the Board claims brought the institution into disrepute and misrepresented its official stance.

“We are a democratic organization that welcomes debate, diversity, and free speech,” Board of Deputies Chief Executive Michael Wegier said in a statement. “Managing diversity of opinion within our organization depends on our code of conduct.” The other 31 signatories received a formal notice of criticism and a warning against future breaches.

Accusations of a “Purge”

The decision has been met with fierce backlash from progressive Jewish groups, who have labeled the suspensions a “purge” of left-wing voices and an attack on free speech. The advocacy group Na’amod (British Jews Against Occupation) accused the Board of “embarking on a witch-hunt against its own deputies” and “choosing to attack its own instead of uniting to challenge Israel’s extremist government.”

The five suspended members—who represent Liberal, Reform, and Masorti synagogues—were given lengthy two-year bans. Three were offered the chance to reduce the suspension to six months if they issued a formal apology. The controversy highlights the profound and often painful divisions within Jewish communities worldwide over how to engage with the actions of the Israeli government, pitting institutional unity against the principle of open debate.