1,000 Rabbis Condemn Galilee Mosque Arson

1,000 rabbis from around the world have signed a statement condemning the burning of the mosque in Tuba-Zangariya. The statement was initiated by the New Israel Fund and was presented to the Imam of the village of Tuba-Zangariya by dozens of rabbis and other activists participating in a solidarity convoy to the village.

60 British Rabbis from across the Reform, Masorti, Orthodox and Liberal movements signed this statement.

The rabbis’ statement said: “As religious leaders and representatives of Jewish houses of worship around the world, we wish to express our deep sadness and outrage at the desecration of a mosque in the Bedouin village of Tuba-Zangariya. We condemn this act as an affront to G-d and to the values of our Torah. We extend a hand in friendship and solidarity to the leaders and residents of the town, a prayer for their safety and peace in the days to come, and a hope that those who perpetrated this despicable act will be brought to justice. We condemn those in Israel who exacerbate conflict and strife, and who insist that only one people or religion belongs to this land.”

The statement also praised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Shimon Peres and Israel’s two Chief Rabbis for their forceful condemnation of the attack. “We are grateful for the actions of the many organisations and individuals in Israel who have already raised their voices on behalf of Israel’s highest and truest values.”

The petition was delivered as part of a solidarity visit by a convoy of over 100 Israeli Jews who drove to the Galilee village. The convoy was organised by the NIF-supported coalition Banish the Darkness, which combats religious racism. The scene at the mosque showed the pressing need to address rising tensions.

In the mourning tent next to the mosque, Bedouin villagers sat beside the Jewish visitors. “This is the sixth mosque that has been burned in the last two years,” noted Coalition head Dr. Gadi Gvaryahu, Director of NIF-grantee Yud Bet B'Heshvan. The Orthodox Jewish organisation, named after the date of the Rabin assassination, fights religious intolerance.