The National Jewish Assembly expresses serious concern over the UK Government’s recent endorsement – alongside Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Greece, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland – of the joint statement on the “Occupied Palestinian Territories” earlier this week.
This statement creates a false moral equivalence between Israel – a democratic state defending its citizens – and Hamas, a terrorist organisation responsible for genocide and ongoing violence.
Despite enduring the October 7 massacre of over 1,200 civilians, Israel has facilitated humanitarian aid, opened border crossings, and worked with international partners. Meanwhile, Hamas exploits its own people by sabotaging aid, using civilians as human shields, and continuing terror attacks.
The statement fails to distinguish Israel’s lawful self-defence from Hamas’s terrorism, undermining peace prospects and ignoring ongoing Palestinian terror. Calls for an immediate ceasefire neglect how Hamas repeatedly uses ceasefires to regroup, risking further atrocities.
Additionally, the statement omits illegal Palestinian construction and the broader context of settler violence amid persistent Palestinian attacks.
The National Jewish Assembly warns that “further action” threatened by the UK and these international partners risks appeasement and politicising justice rather than holding Hamas accountable. Israel will continue to defend its citizens and uphold international law, with or without Westminster’s approval.
