Statement on the situation in Israel and Gaza

A statement from Rabbi Laura Janner-Klausner, Senior Rabbi to the Movement for Reform Judaism.

“We stand alongside our brothers and sisters in Israel at this frightening time, viewing this escalation of the conflict with great sadness and concern. Jewish tradition emphasises that self-defence is a duty, not an option. In the words of our Siddur (prayerbook), we pray that God grants ‘safety to those who guard and those who watch, and skill to those who must take difficult decisions, so that they be always guided by the need to avoid harm to the innocent.’ We fervently pray that both sides will move towards a ceasefire as soon as possible”.