Rabbis and cantors urge Netanyahu to finalize deal

(JTA) — A group of 99 Jewish clergy from across the United States signed a statement calling for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to agree to a ceasefire deal that would free the remaining hostages held by Hamas.

The signatories of the clergy statement include well-known rabbis spanning the country and the Jewish denominational spectrum. The list includes Reform, Conservative, Orthodox, Reconstructionist, Renewal and Secular Humanistic leaders.

The statement comes as a new round of negotiations is set to begin Thursday in Qatar under intense pressure from the United States and other i...