A letter signed by 450 Jewish figures is calling on the UN and world leaders to hold Israel accountable for its actions in Gaza.
Hundreds of prominent Jewish individuals worldwide are urging the UN and global leaders to sanction Israel, citing “unconscionable” actions in Gaza that they believe constitute genocide.
The open letter, which urges governments to hold Israel responsible for alleged breaches of international law in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem, has garnered over 450 signatures from former Israeli officials, intellectuals, and artists. This appeal occurs alongside reports that EU leaders may be abandoning plans to introduce sanctions against Israel during an upcoming summit in Brussels.
The signatories stated, “We have not forgotten that so many of the laws, charters, and conventions established to safeguard and protect all human life were created in response to the Holocaust. Those safeguards have been relentlessly violated by Israel.”
Signatories to the appeal include former Knesset speaker Avraham Burg, Israeli peace negotiator Daniel Levy, authors Michael Rosen and Naomi Klein, Oscar-winning filmmaker Jonathan Glazer, actors Wallace Shawn and Ilana Glazer, and philosopher Omri Boehm. The group is calling on world leaders to enforce rulings by the International Court of Justice and International Criminal Court, halt arms sales, and implement targeted sanctions against Israeli officials and entities allegedly involved in crimes.
The petition reflects a changing public opinion among American Jews and voters in general. A recent Washington Post poll indicated that 61% of US Jews believe Israel has committed war crimes in Gaza, while 39% believe it is committing genocide. A separate Quinnipiac survey from August revealed that half of US voters share this view.
Israel’s military operation in Gaza was launched in response to the Hamas attack in October 2023, which resulted in 1,200 deaths and 250 hostages. The scale of Israel’s response has drawn widespread condemnation and a surge of support for the Palestinian people.
Gaza’s Health Ministry reports at least 68,000 Palestinian deaths and over 170,000 injuries over the past two years. The UN estimates that approximately 90% of Gaza’s residents have been displaced within the region.