Senior Rabbi calls settler violence ‘desecration of Judaism’
Senior Rabbi calls settler violence ‘desecration of Judaism’ Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg, former Rabbi of New North London Synagogue and senior Rabbi of Masorti Judaism, has called settler violence in the occupied West Bank as a “desecration of Judaism”. In an interview with Sky News, Rabbi Wittenberg said that he witnessed what was happening in the West Bank during his recent visit to the occupied…
Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg, senior Rabbi of Masorti Judaism, has described settler violence in the West Bank as a "desecration of Judaism." During an interview with Sky News, the former Rabbi of New North London Synagogue recounted his recent visit to the occupied territories. He witnessed the recent murder of Palestinian activist Awdah Hathaleen by a settler in Umm al-Khair, a village in the South Hebron Hills.
Hathaleen was fatally shot by Israeli settler Yinon Levi on July 28, 2025. Rabbi Wittenberg emphasized that such actions are not acceptable under any circumstances, as Judaism teaches that every human being is created in the image of God. He also noted that this violence is often backed by higher authorities. The Rabbi called for the UK government to take action against Israeli settlements, stressing the necessity of addressing this issue within the Jewish community.
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