Rabbi Michael Whitman of Hampstead has emerged as the only Canadian voice among 80 modern Orthodox rabbis who signed a public letter urging Israel to show what they called moral clarity in the Gaza conflict. The letter, titled A Call for Moral Clarity Responsibility and a Jewish Orthodox Response in the Face of the Gaza Humanitarian Crisis, included prominent European chief rabbis and American educators but Whitman’s signature stands out as the sole Canadian endorsement.
The timing of the letter could not be more charged. Just days ago the United Nations declared famine in Gaza City, calling it the first such case in the Middle East. Israel immediately rejected the finding, insisting there is no famine and accusing the UN of rewriting its own criteria to make a political point. Israeli officials argue the UN has bent its definition of famine for this conflict and ignored Hamas responsibility for hoarding and diverting aid.
Humanitarian groups admit aid has been heavily disrupted, yet critics say the loudest voices rarely mention Hamas’s grip on supplies. For years Hamas has siphoned off food fuel and medicine intended for civilians and used them to fortify its military operations. Israel maintains it has allowed trucks convoys and now even ships loaded with food to enter Gaza, while working with international groups to try to stop Hamas from stealing or controlling the distribution.
At the same time new American and Israeli backed systems are being tested to get aid directly to civilians using secure centers and biometric checks. Hamas has openly threatened locals who take part, furious at losing its control over supplies. For Israel this is evidence that the humanitarian crisis is not about Israeli blockades but about Hamas dominance.
Adding to the tension is Egypt’s role. Cairo insists the Rafah crossing on its side is open for humanitarian aid, but the Palestinian side remains closed. Egypt blames the deadlock squarely on Israel, while Israel points out that Hamas has exploited Rafah in the past to smuggle weapons. For civilians in Gaza, the crossing is effectively sealed.
The letter signed by Rabbi Whitman and others urges Israel to balance its military campaign with concern for innocent lives. But supporters of Israel see a dangerous imbalance. They argue that the Jewish state is fighting a terror regime that deliberately hides behind its own people, while international bodies bend rules and twist language to condemn Israel rather than the perpetrators.
For Hampstead’s rabbi, joining this appeal may reflect a concern for human suffering. But for Israel and its defenders, the larger truth remains: there is no famine, the definitions are being manipulated, and the crisis persists because Hamas thrives on misery and uses it as a weapon.
Update: August 27, 2025 – Read the letter: http://www.toratchayimrabbis.org/gazahumanitariancrisis.html
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