Judaism Without Borders

This email is fake, but it’s brilliant in its sharp targeting of the Jewish community’s stances on the Gaza operations. Language about an end to deaths on either side, a resolution to the long-standing problem of Palestinian statehood, and so on would be very simple to add to existing statements about an end to Hamas rockets and terrorism.

Why isn’t it there? I wish someone in the organizations issuing these statements would explain that to me.

But let this hoax announcement serve as an inspiration:

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: The Board of Deputies of British Jews
Date: Fri, Jan 9, 2009 at 11:27 AM
Subject: Board of Deputies of British Jews Cancels Sunday’s Solidarity Rally
To: info@boardofdeputies.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Board of Deputies of British Jews Cancels Sunday’s Solidarity Rally

BOD header

The Board of Deputies and the Jewish Leadership Council, in consultation with a coalition of prominent organisations in the Anglo-Jewish community, have decided to cancel the planned Israel Solidarity Rally, due to occur on Sunday 11th of January.

This decision has been taken after intense discussions within the community, due to a feeling that such a demonstration would not be in accordance with the Board’s wish to bring the conflict to an immediate conclusion. It was thought that the demonstration might be perceived as the community taking one side in the tragic war in Gaza and Israel, and might be seen as supporting Israel’s military campaign.

The Board calls for an immediate ceasefire, immediate negotiations between Israel and Hamas, and for lifting the economic blockade of Gaza, in order to allow the Gazan and Israeli people to live together in peace. There is no military solution, only a political one.

The Jewish community does not wish to be seen as a participant in the conflict, and in taking this stand we hope to be a part of the solution. The Board stands in solidarity with the besieged and injured people of Gaza, as well as the victims of terrorism in Israel, and we oppose all violence as contrary to the tenets of the Jewish religion. We would like to reach out to the British Muslim community, as well as those of no religion who have demonstrated against Israel’s military campaign-we share your anguish at the destruction and loss of life caused, and hope that our action in calling off our demonstration will be a small step towards peace.

Board of Deputies of British Jews and The Jewish Leadership Council

For all enquiries contact:

The Board of Deputies of British Jews
6 Bloomsbury Square
London WC1A 2LP

Tel: +44 (0)20 7543 5400
Fax: +44 (0)20 7543 0010

Email: info@boardofdeputies.org