AP — For most Jewish Americans, whatever their political persuasion, support for Israel has been a bedrock principle. Thus, it’s notable that a broad swath of US Jews — reacting to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza — have been urging the Israeli government to do more to ensure the delivery of food and medicine.

There is no overwhelming consensus. On the left, some US Jews contend that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government is guilty of genocide — a charge that has been denied by Israel. On the right, some conservative Jewish news outlets have suggested that the widely verified food crisis in Gaza is a hoax.

What is clear is that the ranks of American Jews alarmed by the current conditions in Gaza have swelled and now include major organizations that customarily avoid critiques of Israeli policies.

The American Jewish Committee — a prominent advocacy group that strives to represent Jews in the US and abroad broadly — stressed in its statement that it “stands with Israel in its justified war to eliminate the threat posed by Hamas.”

“At the same time, we feel immense sorrow for the grave toll this war has taken on Palestinian civilians, and we are deeply concerned about worsening food insecurity in Gaza,” said the AJC, urging Israel and other key parties “to increase cooperation and coordination in order to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches Palestinian civilians in Gaza.”

The Rabbinical Assembly, a New York-based organization representing rabbis of the Conservative Movement, sounded a similar note.

“Even as we believe Hamas could end this suffering immediately through the release of the hostages and care for its civilian population, the Israeli government must do everything in its power to ensure humanitarian aid reaches those in need,” the assembly said. “The Jewish tradition calls upon us to ensure the provision of food, water, and medical supplies as a top priority.

Rabbi Moshe Hauer, executive vice president of the Orthodox Union, told The Associated Press he and his colleagues “are proud, sad, and angry. ”

“We remain proud of Israel and its army, the only moral fighting force in the region striving to abide by internationally accepted laws of war,” he said via email. “We are genuinely sad........

© The Times of Israel