August 28, 2002	Wednesday	Jamadi-us-Saani 18,1423

LONDON, Aug 27: The atrocities inflicted by the Israelis to Palestinians are not only condemned by Muslims across the world, but also by many Europeans and now by an increasing numbers of Jews outside Israel.

The latest warning to Israel to stop its atrocities against Palestinians came on Tuesday by Britain’s chief rabbi, Jonathan Sacks, who criticized the use of brutal force by Israel against Palestinians.

The chief rabbi has termed the Israeli stance against Palestinans as “incompatible” with the deepest ideals of Judaism, and adds that the current conflict is “corrupting” Israeli culture. The move by the chief rabbi of Britain would send shock waves through Israel and the world.

Professor Sacks departed from his usual policy of offering only public endorsement of Israel, and broad support for moves toward peace, by giving an explicit verdict on the effect that 35 years of military occupation and decades of conflict are having on Israel and the Jewish people.

“I regard the current situation as nothing less than tragic,” he told the Guardian in an exclusive interview. “It is forcing Israel into postures that are incompatible in the long run with our deepest ideals,” Professor Sacks said. In his statement the chief rabbi has specifically mentioned a picture, showing Israeli soldiers smiling, and standing with a corpse of a slain Palestinian as “profoundly shocking”.