Reading the responses to this piece, I am feeling deeply discouraged. I so badly wish to find ways to proactively and tangibly stand with my Jewish siblings against the vile antisemitism rising in our world today, while simultaneously remaining vocal in my advocacy for Palestinians who are facing extreme precarity in Gaza as a result of Israeli onslaught for well over a year. In my mind and heart, there is not a tension here—in fact, these struggles are intimately intertwined and we will not succeed in fully vanquishing any one form of violent bigotry unless we are also able to eradicate other forms. But any mention whatsoever of advocacy for the Palestinians, criticism of the extreme violence leveled against this people, or condemnation of the tactics of the Israeli state in this vein seems to cause so much reactivity that my heartfelt intent to express solidarity with my Jewish siblings is completely overshadowed.
I can't avoid speaking out about the plight of the Palestinian people. We can have a good faith debate over the semantics of this conflict, even I think it is crucial to speak of the ongoing violence against the people of Gaza as a genocide. Nonetheless, let us bracket this discussion. Using only direct video footage from Gaza and reports from Israeli sources themselves, we have knowledge of such gruesome acts as running over crowds of people with heavy machinery, burning people alive who are attempting to take shelter in designated "safe areas", countless diseased children and infants missing limbs or with gunshot wounds to the head, and the targeted assassination of aid workers and journalists. There are more atrocities to point to, which are credibly substantiated to my mind, but let us leave things just to a few undeniable examples.
If you are not able to renounce such vile acts clearly and without qualification, there is a moral gulf between us which I simply do not know how to bridge. And this has nothing to do with religious affiliation.
I am more than happy to condemn the violence on October 7th—among other instances of violence and aggression directed at Jewish peoples, whether originating from organizations such as Hamas or independent actors—and share in the grief of Jewish communities as we pray for the return of hostages and mourn those lives tragically lost. I also endeavor to listen with open ears and a tender heart to Jewish voices as they share crucial, first-hand perspectives on issues of antisemitism, the current conflict, and more. I know I am imperfect in all these efforts, and I try my best to remain open to feedback and even outright critique.
But I remain disheartened. The fervor with which Zionists (as distinct from both Jews and Israelis) react to any criticism of the militarism of the Israeli state seem to so regularly undermine my sincere efforts for dialogue and bridge-building. Again, I cannot remain silent about the plight of the Palestinians. So I sincerely ask: how can I continue this advocacy in a way that is acceptable and does not, in the mind of Zionists, make me an enemy or even an outright antisemite myself? I am trying my utmost to be diplomatic in my discussions of these topics while nonetheless being steadfast in my commitment to the truth of what is transpiring, to the best of my understanding.
I hope it is clear to any Jewish friends of mine—whether of Zionist persuasion or otherwise—that I am sincere in my desire to stand against antisemitism, build community with Jewish siblings, and pursue genuine dialogue founded upon mutual respect, steadfast humility, and genuine care. I know there is still much work I have to do to more fully realize this aspiration, and I welcome any feedback from anyone likewise grounded in this same vision of real relationality and faithful engagement.
Peace