A letter from the liberal-left London Initiative against the unprecedented wave of state-sponsored Jewish terror against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank
March 2026
Dear President Herzog,
In a letter from Diaspora Jewry to Prime Minister Netanyahu dated 7th August 2025, over 6,300 members of world Jewry from 20 countries implored the Prime Minister to “Enforce the law in the West Bank, where the frequency and intensity of deadly violence by Jewish extremists is unprecedented”.
Facilitated by The London Initiative and signed by many prominent Diaspora leaders with lifelong commitments to Israel, the letter urged The Prime Minister “to prevent attacks by settlers and their supporters and ensure arrests and prosecutions of those responsible”.
Since then, the situation has only deteriorated, reaching a new nadir during the war with Iran. On Wednesday 18th March, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir issued his own stark condemnation. He described attacks by Jewish extremists against Palestinian civilians and IDF soldiers in the West Bank as “morally and ethically unacceptable” and a major strategic threat to Israel’s security and future.
Israel’s security forces are clearly better able to protect Palestinian civilians in the West Bank, living under different levels of Israeli military and civil control, from Jewish terror. That they do not act decisively suggests a lack of directives from the government.
Mr. President, the terror, death and destruction inflicted by Jewish-Israeli extremists against innocent Palestinians across the West Bank is an abomination.
It is not only morally shameful but a strategic threat to the future of Israel. It damages world Jewry and the relationship of future generations with Israel. Sadly, based on events and on the statements of the most extreme coalition partners it can be concluded that the violence now engulfing the West Bank is not only condoned by the government but is in fact policy.
Our commitment to Israel as the national home of the Jewish People is unwavering. It is grounded in the Jewish and democratic values enshrined in Israel’s Declaration of Independence – values of mature liberal democracy, fairness for all citizens, and a striving to live in secure peace with Israel’s neighbors, including the Palestinian People.
It is a commitment to the dignified partnership between Diaspora Jewry, all citizens of Israel and the State of Israel of which you frequently speak.
Mr. President, you have consistently affirmed our conviction that as Diaspora Jews it is both our right and obligation to speak up and speak out. In this regard we will continue to support citizens of Israel of all backgrounds working courageously to protect the safety, dignity and freedom of innocent Palestinians and uphold the rule of law.
We note with deep regret the absence of such a commitment from this government and call on you to share our profound concerns as here set out with The Prime Minister, members of the government, its ambassadors and members of the Knesset.
Mr. President, Pesach is upon us. As we have for millennia, Jews everywhere will reflect on the promise of freedom and responsibilities of power. We call on you to use your position to implore the government to put an end to the abomination of Jewish-extremist terror and the era of impunity for its perpetrators.
Should this scourge remain unchecked it will undermine the promise of the Jewish People’s freedom, security and sovereignty.
Yours Sincerely and Chag Sameach,
