Fifteen Jews from the Leicester area have signed an open letter supporting the city council's decision to boycott products from Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

The signatories, who include seven members of the local Progressive community, acted after the Board of Deputies, in consultation with the Leicester Orthodox and Liberal congregations, wrote to the council opposing the boycott.

The pro-boycott letter offers "support and appreciation" for the council's resolution, adding: "Our commitment to social justice and the pursuit of peace, rooted in Jewish and universal values, leads us to endorse this non-violent measure to oppose the daily oppression and dispossession of the Palestinian people.

"We believe it only right and proper that local taxpayers' money should not be used to support the economies of West Bank settlements.

"The Israeli government under Netanyahu - who we fear will remain in power after the elections this March - has proven that it is not interested in sincere negotiations towards a lasting peace.

"Instead it has only acted to deepen the occupation, while denouncing Israeli and international activists for peace and human rights."

The letter was drafted by Loughborough University lecturer Uri Gordon, 38, who is not affiliated to a Leicester shul. He said there was "a false impression created by the representation that was made to the city council by the Board of Deputies, which presented uniform opposition to this decision among all Jewish residents of Leicester.

"I felt it was important to represent the diversity of voices in the local community regarding the occupation and the settlements."

Leicester Progressive Jewish Congregation chair Miriam Levene had no issue with members expressing opposing views.

"Neither I personally nor the council of the progressive community in Leicester support the boycott. We are however proud that members of our community can express their opinions individually without inhibition."