Jews around the world and Palestinians in Gaza both need your help.
Most articles and posts are only sharing one side of the story, so it’s likely you’re only hearing one side over the other.
I wrote this post in response to an extremely one-sided post by a leader in our sector. It is not meant to start a fight; only to express another viewpoint.
There are Two Sides, and Both Have Merit
There are two sides to this nightmare. If you’re furious and staunchly pro one side, or simply confused or saddened by what’s happening, I’m writing this for you. I hope you’ll keep reading.
There are things upon which (I hope) we can agree:
- Hamas is bad.
- The current Israeli government supports many bad policies.
- Terrorism, kidnapping, murder, rape, and bombing are all bad.
Let’s go a little further:
- There are good and bad people on both sides.
- There are no quick fixes or easy solutions.
- This conflict has been ongoing for generations.
Unfortunately, social media algorithms ensure that most readers / viewers only see one side of the story and turn the other side into a villain. Living in a bubble (only hearing about one side of any issue — especially one as complex as this) only ensures the situation is worse for all involved.
A Call for Peace on BOTH Sides
If you are calling for peace, I urge you to do so with consistency — call for peace on both sides.
We all want to live in peace. Most people can agree on that. So here’s what you can do to help make peace possible in this horrible unfolding conflict.
1. Stand up against antisemitism and violence against Jews.
Many people worldwide are calling for a ceasefire by Israel in Gaza. However, there are far fewer upstanders when the violence is aimed at Jews. If you truly believe in peace, call out violence against Jews.
The prevailing chant at pro-Palestinian marches is “from the river to the sea.” When combined with the words “Palestine will be free,” the slogan is a call for both Palestinian liberation AND for reversing the establishment of the state of Israel. [source]
The elimination / destruction of the Israeli state is unacceptable. The frequent chant heard at protests is not a peaceful trope; it’s a dog-whistle for violence.
College campuses are ablaze with threats against Jewish people. Some (not all) pro-Palestinian protesters are not calling for peace. Yet, peace-loving people stand side-by-side against Israel, as many Palestinians call Hamas terrorists “martyrs.”
Innocent Jews around the world are being targeted as a result of this conflict. If you care about peace, help stand up for them.
2. Call out the Israeli government for war crimes in Gaza.
Calling for peace means calling out the current government in Israel. It has stood in the way of peace for many years by advancing settlements. The Netanyahu government’s policies are racist and discriminatory. They are currently committing serious war violations and need to be called out.
Calling out the Israeli Government is not the same as not standing with Israel. I stand with Israel in that I believe it has a right to exist as a Jewish state. That doesn’t mean I agree with everything it does. Similarly, I am a proud American and also not always proud of American policies that take away rights from citizens or enable mass shootings.
That said, war crimes are horrific atrocities. There is no place for them in any conflict, no matter how heated it gets.
3. Call your government officials and ask for relief aid to be allowed into Gaza and for refugees to be let out.
Civilians in Gaza need humanitarian aid today to prevent a mass genocide. Full stop.
It’s not clear why aid trucks are being stopped at the Egyptian border and why that border isn’t open for people in Gaza to leave through Egypt. Some are arguing that Palestinian’s don’t want to leave their homes and they have a right to stay. That’s true. No Ukrainians wanted to leave their homes either, yet hundreds of thousands left. The border must be open to civilians.
That said, it is not Israel’s responsibility to provide Palestinians (some of whom are its attackers) with supplies. The New York Times recently reported that Hamas has plenty of fuel, food, and water in their tunnels, and they are not sharing with their own citizens.
4. Call your government officials and demand the hostages be released.
There are still over 200 hostages from all over the world being held by Hamas. These are innocent civilians, from infants to grandparents. The should be safely released.
Contact your government officials and ask them to prioritize their support for releasing the hostages.
Peace Requires a Nuanced View
I’ll wrap up by repeating that if you’re only seeing one side of this story, change the channel. Look for alternative sources of news to broaden your view. Remember — there are innocent mothers, fathers, and children on both sides.
Treat this conflict with the nuance it deserves. It is not a black-and-white issue. Hitching your wagon to either side without due respect to the other is a mistake.
Your comments are welcome — though hateful or disrespectful remarks will not be tolerated.
I am so grateful for your voice, and your strength in sharing it with us. Thank you.
I am very impressed about your courage to stand up to the horrible Antisemitism that has reared its ugly head as a result of the barbarism of Hamas.
I do want to voice my vehement objection to your claim of Israeli war crimes and unfortunately the big lie that ANY Israeli government has stood in the way of peace.
An objective examination of the situation will lay at the door of Hamas any responsibility for civilian deaths. The right of self defense justifes ALL of Israel’s actions and reactions at this time.
Lastly, historic facts which I can offer in a flash prove beyond the shadow of a doubt that peace in the Middle East had been completely due to Arab intransigence and their complete and never ending denial of the right of Jews to have a state since before the establishment of the State of Israel.
Hi Yechiel – I’m not completely sure you got my point… or maybe you simply disagree. There are many good, smart people who strongly disagree with you. The only way we will ever have peace is by listening to one another and opening our hearts and minds to the possibility of other points of view. Prior to October 7th, I completely agreed with you and was only hearing one side. I have learned so much in the last 3 weeks which opened my eyes to more than one reality.
I have read the other opinions. I have studied the history of that part of the world in great depth. And if there was ever a case of one side being right and the other side being completely wrong, this is a IT.
I lay down A simple challenge. I will gladly PROVE that the Arab side of the narrative (the Nakba, colonization, occupation etc etc ad naseum) is a complete and unmitigated pack of lies, a complete blood libel from beginning to end. Just send me any claim made by the other side and I can and will refute it completely and in detail with sources. Ditto for Israeli war crimes .
In my view after October 7th with the horrendous barbarism of Hamas and the virulent antisemitism of their supporters I have come to absolutely opposite conclusion (as has the ENTIRE Israeli political spectrum and population from left to right) that you have made.
That there is absolutely no one to talk to on the other side. We are dealing with pure evil and the supporters thereof. And complete evil has to be eradicated, not listened to, not reasoned with or mitigated (a la the UN Chief for example).
So we agree to disagree but I can clearly show that the facts, and YES, the facts prove my contentions.
Thank you for posting this. As a non-Jewish, non-Arab person, it has been my feeling that wrongs are being committed on both sides and there are also legitimate grievances on both sides. It has felt impossible to say anything without angering someone. The idea of separating government actions from the suffering of civilians is an important one, and applicable to many situations around the world, including here at home in the US, as you point out.
I live outside the US and often hear from neighbors that they abhor what the US government is doing, but understand I am not one in the same with my government. This recognition is much easier to do when we are face to face with the “other.” But when seen from a distance, it becomes simple to condemn entire groups of people, which is what seems to be happening now in the case of the war in Gaza.
When civilians are in harm’s way, the situation becomes even more difficult and emotions take over. Your balanced approach is a great example for all of us.
Thank you, Amy, for leading with ways to hold our values for peace and non-violence, recognizing these are values that many people around the world hold., despite being on opposing sides in a conflict. I believe that our only hope for creating peace is to focus on what we have in common, not on our differences.
I was heartened by an interview I heard with Kenneth Roth, former director of Human Rights Watch, that delved into the definitions of rules of engagement in war. Hamas must be held accountable, and so must the Israeli government.
In my view, a ceasefire does not mean giving up anything. It means acknowledging the right of all peoples to exist, but not to oppress each other. This conflict is complicated and long-standing. As human beings alive today, we have the responsibility to do better than our ancestors, to evolve in our understanding of the capacity of humans to create peace. in our world.
Thank you for your part in moving that vision forward.
Thank you, Amy, for having the courage to advance this conversation. Those who foster a dialogue are fostering a potential for peace. I agree with all six of the items we should all be able to agree on. The third item is especially important.
Atrocities are never justified, even if they are in retribution for a previous atrocity. Atrocities never lead to peace. They always make it more difficult, so those who commit atrocities are not committed to peace. It’s true for all sides of this conflict today and going back generations. There have been too many atrocities over the generations of this conflict already. It will take courageous people and courageous leaders on all sides to end the cycle.
I am kind of scratching my head over here. Wouldn’t “opening our hearts and minds to the possibility of other points of view” include not accusing the Israeli government of “war crimes” etc. as “There are many good, smart people who strongly disagree with you” about that?
In our modern world, we are inundated by songs, art, and various forms of pop culture that often reinforce the message that war is inherently bad, while peace is inherently good.
This pervasive narrative is deeply ingrained in our collective consciousness, largely due to the influence of artists, musicians, and writers who use their creative platforms to emphasize the moral importance of avoiding war and seeking peaceful resolutions to conflicts.
This portrayal of war as a negative force and peace as a positive one is a reflection of our collective desire for harmony, cooperation, and the avoidance of suffering.
It is a response to the devastating impact that past wars and conflicts have had on humanity, leaving deep scars and a strong determination to prevent such catastrophic events from happening again.
However, it is crucial to acknowledge that the dichotomy between war and peace is not always as straightforward as it is often portrayed.
In some situations, war may be a necessary and justifiable means of confronting extreme evil or safeguarding fundamental values.
The moral complexity of warfare becomes evident when we consider cases like World War II, where the Allied forces engaged in a war against Hitler’s Nazi regime, responsible for the Holocaust.
While the war resulted in immense sacrifices, it was the means by which this malevolent force was defeated, ultimately leading to the liberation of millions and the restoration of peace and freedom.
Therefore, while pop culture encourages us to embrace the virtues of peace and abhor the horrors of war, it is essential to approach Israel’s war on terror with a more nuanced perspective.
Hamas, since its inception, has inflicted horrific and brutal harm on both its own population and the citizens of Israel.
Their actions have been characterized by brutality and barbarity.
It’s essential to recognize that turning a blind eye in the name of peace… will not end well.
I applaud the desire to be peaceful. And its important to research both sides.
However, there is zero space between evil and good. That middle ground will cost more innocent lives.
What kind of occupation was there? And if so, that warrant rockets being fired at my residential home or the beheadings, rapes and massacre?
98% of the Gazans are either Hamas or supporters of Hamas. They also elected Hamas!
Have we seen tons of ‘innocent civilians’ smuggling out secret messages that they want peace?
Maybe they don’t…
I suggest your readers see these 3 links. There is ZERO space between evil and good.
Humanitarian aid or ceasefires for the enemy is simply a disaster. I appreciate the desire for peace, but suggest those who are seeking peace understand the issues a bit deeper and from reliable sources. That space in the middle is a danger to my life. Please choose a side.
*Heres the articles:*
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPWOvwG4_x4
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/379261 –“Not so innocent civilians”
https://townhall.com/columnists/jonathanfeldstein/2023/10/30/sherry-your-antisemitism-is-showing-n2630517 (good compilation from someone who lives here and has kids serving but NOT meant to suggest I or anyone is antisemitic)
Respectfully,
Dan
While on the topic:
Dear world: I don’t care
https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/dear-world-i-dont-care/
Is the Israeli military a paragon of morality and wartime ethics? Or is it an oppressive force that targets innocent Palestinian civilians and commits war crimes as a matter of policy?
Colonel Richard Kemp, who was the commander of British Forces in Afghanistan, was in Israel during its war against Hamas in 2014, and analyzes whether Israel’s military is ethical, evil, or somewhere in between.
https://www.prageru.com/video/israel-the-worlds-most-moral-army
I think the findings of Isreali psychoanalyst Nancy Hartevelt Kobrin should gain more attention these days: She explains the roots of aggression in Palestine family life. Like some other authors explain (Robin Grille, Alice Miller, Valerie Hudson, Franz Jedlicka) the roots of war often lie within a “culture of violence” that is already widespread in the families of a country.
Rahel
It’s rare that I read something that aligns perfectly with my views on The Conflict.
Thanks for sharing this, Amy. Stuff like this is badly needed.
What do the Palestinians want?
I have found this article by Caroline B. Glick to be very informative.
https://www.jns.org/what-do-the-palestinians-want/