Mutual annihilation is not the answer
The American Republican administration has done a great job of dividing people on the issue of Israel-Palestine. The White House is pretending that all American Jews, who support the right of Israel to exist (“Zionists”) are the enemy of American supporters of Palestinians, who want to dissolve the state of Israel (“Hamas supporters”). But American supporters of Israel have many opinions, and so do American supporters of Palestinians.
Activists working toward a ceasefire that will lead to a lasting peace are stuck in the middle. Activists who are working toward the annihilation of the other side are pushing the world toward a dead end.
Even though Netanyahu (Israel’s Prime Minister) rates 27% approval from Israelis in a March poll, and Israelis are protesting the war, the massive military action continues; so do the protests.
Just like all Americans should not be punished because of what the Republican administration is doing, all the residents of the State of Israel should not be punished for the actions of the Netanyahu government. I do not stand with allies of Hamas, whose platform is the destruction of the State of Israel. I do not stand with the Netanyahu government, whose actions are leading to the destruction of Gaza.
Not all American Jews have an attachment to Israel. Among American Jews who are attached to Israel, many are alienated from its current leader. Pew poll in May 2025:
- 61% of respondents have an unfavorable view of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
- 62% think he renewed military action in Gaza for personal political considerations instead of national security considerations.
- 74% oppose Trump’s proposal to transfer Palestinians in Gaza to Arab countries and have the U.S. take control of Gaza and redevelop the land.
The prevailing sentiment that American Jews are somehow responsible for the actions of the Netanyahu government is inherently false and is used to fuel antisemitism.
“From the river to the sea”
The river is the Jordan. The sea is the Mediterranean. This phrase means no Israel. For some this means no Israelis. Historical maps.
When voices are calling for the utter destruction of the opponents, siding with the haters is a recipe for more dehumanization and bloodshed. Some BDS (Boycott, Divest, and Sanction) proponents are seeking a lasting peace. Others seek a situation where Palestine gets its revenge on Israel.
Those who support violence and war are working in coalition with others seeking peace and sustained human rights. This is true of Israelis and true of Palestinians. It is true of their allies in America.
What is the solution?
“What is the solution?” can be a conversation-stopper. It is too big a question. Here’s what I would hope an American Christian ally in Somerville would say:
- Job one is to stop the carnage. (However, this is one more thing that the Republican office holder has his fingers in! That is why it is going to be hard to stop.)
- There needs to be regime change for both countries. Right now, Hamas and the Netanyahu government are seeking the total destruction of the other. Both are wrong. That is no path to peace. There is only the destruction of one or both nations.
- Ally with people who recognize the humanity of all the people in the region. From a place where human respect is a given, a division of the land that works economically for both peoples is possible. — How that could work, I don’t know. Gaza can be bordered fairly easily, but the West Bank settlement is a checkerboard that has been under attack from Israel (also) since October 7th.