Jewish leaders write to mayor over ceasefire plea

COUNCIL SAYS CALL 'SHOWS LACK OF UNDERSTANDING TO CHALLENGES'

- HELENA VESTY

LEADERS of the Jewish Representative Council in Greater Manchester and Region have issued an open letter after the area's mayor, Andy Burnham, called for a ceasefire of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

A statement signed by the leaders of Greater Manchester's 10 local authorities, including the mayor and deputy mayor, Kate Green, was released on Friday. Collectively, they have joined the international calls for a ceasefire amid the humanitarian disaster unfolding in Gaza.

The chair and chief executive of the Jewish Representative Council in Greater Manchester wrote an open letter in return, issued on Sunday.

The authors said much of the mayor's statement 'resonated with the Jewish community, but shared that 'calling for a ceasefire shows a lack of understanding to the challenges currently being encountered by Israel.

The statement from Mr Burnham, Ms Green and the leaders of Greater Manchester's 10 boroughs said they are deeply concerned' about the situation in the Middle East and the 'anguish being experienced' by people in the city region's Jewish and Muslim communities.