UK Progressive Rabbis Warn Israel’s Path Undermines Jewish Values and Loyalty

LONDON — Two of the United Kingdom’s most senior progressive rabbis have warned that Israel’s current political direction risks becoming “incompatible with Jewish values,” posing what they describe as an “existential threat” not only to the country but to Judaism itself. Rabbi Charley Baginsky and Rabbi Josh Levy, co-leaders of the newly formed Progressive Judaism movement, argue that criticizing the Israeli government is not an act of disloyalty but rather a “Jewish obligation.”

Israel’s Trajectory Sparks Religious Crisis Among UK Jews

The remarks come as the Progressive Judaism movement, which represents approximately a third of synagogue-affiliated Jews in the UK, launches its first book, Progressive Judaism, Zionism and the State of Israel. Edited by Baginsky, Levy, and Dr. Ed Kessler, the book compiles 40 essays from Jewish clergy and community leaders, exploring the tensions between Jewish identity, Zionism, and Israel’s policies.

In an interview with The Times of Israel, Baginsky emphasized the growing unease within the progressive Jewish community. “We’ve often talked about the direction of Israel being an existential threat not to Jews per se, but to Judaism,” she said. “What happens when the direction of the government within Israel takes Israel down a line that makes it incompatible with our Jewish values? That’s a huge worry.”

The rabbis’ concerns center on Israel’s military campaigns in Gaza and Lebanon following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack, which they argue have deepened a religious and ethical crisis. Baginsky told The Times of Israel that for many in Progressive Judaism, “our relationship with Israel shapes a large part of our Jewish identity,” making the current trajectory particularly distressing.

Criticism as a Jewish Obligation

The Progressive Judaism movement, formed in 2025 through the merger of Liberal Judaism and Reform Judaism, has positioned itself as a voice for British Jews who feel increasingly alienated by Israel’s policies. Baginsky and Levy stress that their criticism is rooted in Jewish tradition, not opposition to Israel’s existence. “Criticizing the Israeli government is a Jewish obligation,” Levy stated, framing dissent as an act of loyalty to core Jewish values rather than betrayal.

Their warnings reflect broader divisions within the UK’s Jewish community, which has grappled with rising antisemitism and internal debates over Israel’s conduct. While some British Jews have rallied in support of Israel’s actions, others, particularly within progressive circles, have expressed dismay at what they see as a departure from ethical principles central to Judaism.

The book’s publication underscores these tensions, offering a platform for diverse perspectives on Zionism and Jewish identity. Contributors include rabbis, academics, and community leaders, many of whom argue that unconditional support for Israel’s government risks undermining the moral foundations of Judaism itself.

Existential Threat to Judaism, Not Just Israel

Baginsky and Levy’s language is striking in its urgency. By framing Israel’s policies as an “existential threat” to Judaism, they elevate the debate beyond geopolitics, positioning it as a crisis of religious integrity. This perspective resonates with a segment of British Jews who view the Israeli government’s actions as increasingly at odds with Jewish teachings on justice, compassion, and human dignity.

The rabbis’ intervention arrives at a time of heightened polarization. The UK’s Jewish community, numbering around 300,000, has faced both external pressures—such as rising antisemitic incidents—and internal fractures over Israel. While some organizations have doubled down on solidarity with Israel, progressive voices like Baginsky and Levy argue that blind allegiance is neither sustainable nor faithful to Jewish ethics.

In their book’s introduction, the editors write that the essays “reflect the complexity of Jewish identity in the 21st century,” acknowledging that the relationship between diaspora Jews and Israel is no longer monolithic. For many progressive Jews, the current moment demands a reckoning: how to reconcile love for Israel with opposition to policies they believe violate Jewish values.

Hope for Change Amidst Crisis

Despite their stark warnings, Baginsky and Levy express hope that Israel’s trajectory can still shift. “We are not giving up on Israel,” Levy said. “But we cannot ignore the moral cost of its current path.” Their call for criticism as a Jewish duty is framed as an act of preservation—both for Israel and for the ethical traditions that define Judaism.

The Progressive Judaism movement’s stance has drawn both support and backlash. Some within the UK’s Jewish community accuse the rabbis of undermining Israel at a time of crisis, while others praise them for articulating concerns that many share but hesitate to voice. The debate underscores a broader question: how diaspora Jews navigate their relationship with Israel when its government’s actions conflict with their deeply held values.

As the book’s essays reveal, there are no easy answers. But for Baginsky, Levy, and their movement, the conversation itself is essential. “Silence is not an option,” Baginsky said. “If we truly care about Judaism and Israel, we must speak out when its path diverges from the values we hold sacred.”

The launch of Progressive Judaism, Zionism and the State of Israel marks a significant moment in the UK’s Jewish discourse, offering a platform for dissenting voices within a community often pressured to present a unified front. Whether their warnings will spur change—or further deepen divisions—remains to be seen.