We welcome the UK government’s decision to impose targeted sanctions on those responsible for financing, enabling and carrying out settler violence in the West Bank.
As Progressive Jews, we have consistently opposed settlement expansion, settler violence and moves towards annexation. Settler violence is not only an attack on Palestinians; it is a direct contradiction of Jewish values and of the vision set out in Israel’s Declaration of Independence. We support a liberal, democratic State of Israel, as envisaged in that Declaration, with equal rights for all its citizens.
Settlement expansion, settler violence and annexation make a negotiated two-state solution harder to achieve and damage Israel’s future as both a Jewish and democratic state. Targeted sanctions against those responsible for violence are therefore justified.
We also recognise that the government’s updated guidance to UK businesses relates to settlements, not to Israel itself. That distinction matters.
We would be concerned if the guidance were interpreted as support for the wider Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions platform. We do not support BDS. We do not believe that broad economic, academic or cultural boycotts of Israel bring peace any closer. Nor should settlements and Israel be treated as though they are one and the same.
Some of the strongest voices for democracy, equality and a political resolution to the conflict are found within Israeli society itself. They should be engaged with, not isolated.
Action against settler violence is necessary. Broad boycotts of Israel are not. Keeping that distinction clear is in the interests of Israelis, Palestinians and all those committed to a peaceful resolution of the conflict.
Rabbi Josh Levy and Rabbi Charley Baginsky
Co-Leads, The Movement for Progressive Judaism