Multiple hundreds of rabbis and Jewish heads call out malnutrition in Gaza region
In a public letter signed by over a thousand rabbis and Jewish leaders, concerns have been raised about the ongoing situation in Gaza. Rabbi Charles Feinberg, former leader of Adas Israel Congregation in Washington, D.C., is among the signatories.
Feinberg, along with his fellow Jewish leaders, accuses Israel of using disproportionate military force, causing a humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Although acknowledging the presence of the militant faction Hamas, Feinberg emphasizes the importance of supporting Palestinians who seek peace with Israel.
Feinberg's stance is clear: he sees Hamas as a small, militant faction that should be eliminated, but he advocates supporting those Palestinians who desire peace. This implicit criticism of broad military measures that harm civilians or impede humanitarian aid is a key point in his argument.
The debate within the Jewish community is about what it means to be responsible with power in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Some Jewish groups strongly support Israel’s military operations, blaming Hamas for civilian casualties due to their tactics like using human shields. In contrast, others, including many Jewish leaders like Feinberg, have criticized aspects of Israel’s military conduct and expressed solidarity with Palestinian civilians suffering from the conflict.
The letter denounces Israel's "mass killings of civilians" and "the use and threat of starvation as a weapon of war." Feinberg signed the letter because he is disturbed by the conduct of the war and the lack of food aid within Gaza. He believes this situation constitutes a "terrible assault on Jewish ethics."
The letter calls upon Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli government "to respect all innocent life." Feinberg suggests supporting those Palestinians who want to make peace with Israel, and putting effort into supporting groups working towards resolving the conflict.
The story was copyrighted in 2025 by NPR. The audio story was produced by Nia Dumas and edited by Mohamad ElBardicy, with the digital story edited by Olivia Hampton.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is a test of Jewish faith, as it questions whether God cares about all human beings, not just Jews. The challenges in delivering aid in Gaza due to Israel’s security protocols and the UN’s reliance on Hamas for logistics further complicate the situation.
In this complex conflict, Rabbi Charles Feinberg represents a segment of Jewish leadership that supports Israel's right to defend itself against Hamas but strongly advocates for peace and humanitarian consideration for innocent Palestinians caught in the conflict, calling for a balanced approach that avoids collective punishment and supports aid.
- Rabbi Charles Feinberg, along with a multitude of Jewish leaders, has condemned the Israeli government for employing excessive military force in Gaza, deeming it a significant contributing factor to the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
- Feinberg and others in the Jewish community have expressed their concerns about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, urging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the government to respect the lives of all innocents, while also advocating for peace and humanitarian aid for the Palestinian civilians.
- In the midst of the complex dynamics of war-and-conflicts, politics, and general-news, Rabbi Feinberg stands as a voice of reason, championing a balanced approach that upholds Israel's self-defense rights while showing compassion for the Palestinian civilians needlessly suffering.
