Queen Elizabeth II meets guests as she attends the Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace on May 29, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Yui Mok – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid and various Jewish groups issued statements mourning the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.
The royal family announced on September 8 that Elizabeth had died peacefully while surrounded by her family in her home. She was 96 and had been serving as the Queen of England since 1952. The cause of death has not been officially announced. Elizabeth will be succeeded by her son, Charles III, 73.
“On behalf of the Government and people of Israel, I send my condolences to the Royal Family and the people of the United Kingdom on the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II,” Lapid tweeted. “She leaves behind an unparalleled legacy of leadership and service. May her memory be for a blessing.”
On behalf of the Government and people of Israel, I send my condolences to the Royal Family and the people of the United Kingdom on the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
She leaves behind an unparalleled legacy of leadership and service.
May her memory be for a blessing. pic.twitter.com/ZWm26wiVKx
— יאיר לפיד – Yair Lapid (@yairlapid) September 8, 2022
The Simon Wiesenthal Center expressed “deep sorrow” over Elizabeth’s passing in a statement. “At the end of the most horrific war humankind ever experienced, when people the world over, questioned whether there were brighter days in their future, Princess Elizabeth ascended the throne as Queen of England and helped pave the road to a future of hope and decency,” the Wiesenthal Center said. “Ever since, the Queen has dedicated her life to the principles of tolerance and human dignity, helping to preserve and build on the legacies of Sir Winston Churchill and the sacrifice of millions who defeated Nazism. Throughout her decades of leadership, Queen Elizabeth also displayed great empathy and respect for the Jewish Survivors of the Nazi Holocaust. We remember how moved our namesake Simon Wiesenthal was to receive an Honorary Knighthood from the Queen, shortly before his passing.”
Former Labour Member of Parliament (MP) Joan Ryan, the United Kingdom Director for the European Leadership Network’s (ELNET), said in a statement: “We send our sincere and heartfelt condolences to the Royal Family and the people of the United Kingdom on the passing of her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. We pay tribute to her profound sense of duty and her unparalleled dedication to her country and her people. May she rest in peace and may her memory be a blessing.”
The Board of Deputies of British Jews also tweeted: “The Board of Deputies mourns the death of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. No words can fully describe the extent of our nation’s loss; Her Majesty’s wisdom, benevolence and dedication to duty served as an inspiration to generations. May Her memory be for blessing.”
The Board of Deputies mourns the death of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. No words can fully describe the extent of our nation's loss; Her Majesty's wisdom, benevolence and dedication to duty served as an inspiration to generations. May Her memory be for blessing. pic.twitter.com/Q3pmBndhgn
— Board of Deputies of British Jews (@BoardofDeputies) September 8, 2022
British Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis constructed a prayer commemorating Elizabeth, calling the late queen an emblem of “order and justice,” a “defender of faith” and “a steadfast guardian of liberty.” “In life, she was a most gracious monarch, who occupied a throne with distinction and honor,” the prayer stated. “In death, may her legacy inspire the nations of the world to live in peace.”
“…grant Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II perfect rest for evermore under the protective cover of your Divine wings.”
The Chief Rabbi has composed a special prayer to mark the passing of The Queen. pic.twitter.com/yryG2SvtrV
— Chief Rabbi Mirvis (@chiefrabbi) September 8, 2022
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) tweeted, “We join with millions of people around the world in mourning the loss of Queen Elizabeth II, the longest reigning monarch in Britain and an inspiring and beloved figure who exemplified respect for all people and cultures. May her memory be a blessing.”
We join with millions of people around the world in mourning the loss of Queen Elizabeth II, the longest reigning monarch in Britain and an inspiring and beloved figure who exemplified respect for all people and cultures. May her memory be a blessing. https://t.co/bKrzC0pVDx pic.twitter.com/r9nni1v9jv
— ADL (@ADL) September 8, 2022
The American Jewish Committee (AJC) similarly tweeted: “AJC joins the people of the UK, the Commonwealth, and the world in mourning the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Queen Elizabeth was the embodiment of British resolve and grace for over 70 years and a dear friend to the Jewish people. May her memory be a blessing.”
AJC joins the people of the UK, the Commonwealth, and the world in mourning the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
Queen Elizabeth was the embodiment of British resolve and grace for over 70 years and a dear friend to the Jewish people.
May her memory be a blessing. 🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/nXwo39kUzG
— American Jewish Committee (@AJCGlobal) September 8, 2022
B’nai Brith International called Elizabeth “an extraordinary woman and a beacon of strength.” “We are greatly saddened by the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, a towering figure who served her country unwaveringly for 70 years,” they tweeted. “As we honor her remarkable life and legacy, our hearts are with her family and the British people.”
An extraordinary woman and a beacon of strength.
We are greatly saddened by the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, a towering figure who served her country unwaveringly for 70 years.
As we honor her remarkable life and legacy, our hearts are with her family and the British people. pic.twitter.com/1F7QKfvZE7
— B'nai B'rith Intl. (@BnaiBrith) September 8, 2022
World Jewish Congress President Ronald S. Lauder said in a statement that Elizabeth and her family “were beloved symbols of resistance to Nazi tyranny, refusing to leave London during the worst times of the Blitz and standing in solidarity under siege with their compatriots. The young Princess Elizabeth was an inspiration and source of comfort to Anne Frank in her hiding place in Amsterdam, and in 2015, she and her late husband, Prince Philip, visited the former Nazi concentration camp of Bergen-Belsen in northern Germany where Anne Frank died to commemorate its liberation by British troops. Queen Elizabeth’s refusal to flinch in the face of evil, but instead to fight it with every formidable fiber of her character, will be an inspiration for generations to come.” “On behalf of Jewish communities across the globe, I extend our deepest condolences to her family, and to the nation and people of the United Kingdom,” Lauder said. “May her memory and her example be for a blessing.”
StandWithUs also tweeted, “StandWithUs is deeply saddened over the passing of #hermajestythequeen, Elizabeth II. We send our condolences and stand with Her Majesty’s family and all the people across the United Kingdom at this difficult time. May The Queen’s memory be a blessing.”
StandWithUs is deeply saddened over the passing of #hermajestythequeen, Elizabeth II. We send our condolences and stand with Her Majesty's family and all the people across the United Kingdom at this difficult time. May The Queen's memory be a blessing. pic.twitter.com/EbuKfhKn0A
— StandWithUs (@StandWithUs) September 8, 2022
NGO Monitor Founder Professor Gerald Steinberg tweeted: “Monarchs and monarchies are antiquated and elitist, but they can also provide social and political stability and sanity in an otherwise chaotic and irrational world. #Elizabeth2 did this brilliantly for 70+ years. May her memory be blessed.”
Monarchs and monarchies are antiquated and elitist, but they can also provide social and political stability and sanity in an otherwise chaotic and irrational world. #Elizabeth2 did this brilliantly for 70+ years. May her memory be blessed. pic.twitter.com/KlCsxNF2ub
— Prof Gerald M Steinberg (@GeraldNGOM) September 8, 2022
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