When you think of anti-Semites, who do you think of? Alt-right Nazi extremists? Well, as an Israeli Jew, I used to think so. It’s usually the extreme political right that hates minorities like us, and the progressive left that tends to protect them. So now, when mass protests of pro-Palestinian Jew hatred are being carried out by the left of the political spectrum, I wonder: Where do I stand in this political movement that hates me so much? what?
As the battle between pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian PR media continues, I am concerned that left-wing movements, especially the radical left, have abandoned their values and moral compass in favor of pro-Palestinian anti-Semitic movements. I think. With no regard for the people of Israel, he calls for the murder of Israelis, and by extension Jews around the world, just to help the “poor, weak and oppressed Palestinian people,” and to have them killed in terrorist attacks that they justify. calling out. This has left me and many other Israelis questioning ourselves and wondering how far we can go with this movement.
This internal conflict that I and many others are currently experiencing is further complicated by the reaction of Israel’s far-right political right. Some even say we want this war and are calling for it, calling people traitors and accusing the political left of “participating in Israel’s own destruction.” This makes the political dilemma even more difficult. Because I am devastated by this war, just like any other Israeli (right-wing or not) and pro-Israel as well. We were all affected by the October 7th massacre. Regardless of race, religion, or political opinion, we all know people who fled to shelters when countless missile alarms sounded, who serve in the Israel Defense Forces, and who are still in Gaza. I’m afraid for the hostages. But my progressive, left-leaning political opinions still lead me to align myself with the world’s leftists, except for the fact that they want me dead and my country gone.
As a result of all these pressures and conflicts that I wrote about earlier, the Israeli left movement and all those who participated in it are being attacked from all sides. The rest of the Israeli political spectrum blames us and the global left for the war. They criticize us, and as a result, we become alienated, without allies, in conflict, and forced to make difficult choices.
Do I denounce my political opinions and what I think is right for my country and community? Or do I denounce my Israeli identity and my Israeli identity in order to have my values and views heard clearly? , will you sacrifice everything you hold dear? I guess time will tell.
Dana Reese is a 15-year-old student from Ganei Tikvah, Israel, who attends the Israel Center for Young Leadership (ICYL).