Washington, July 31 (AP) — For many Jewish Americans, irrespective of political leaning, support for Israel is a foundational principle. Recently, however, a noticeable number of U.S. Jews have been pressing the Israeli government to ensure better delivery of food and medicine to address the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza.
No Unified Consensus — There is no universally agreed perspective. Some left-leaning U.S. Jews accuse Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government of committing genocide, while some conservative Jewish outlets claim that reports of a food crisis in Gaza are fabricated.
Rising Concerns — Despite the divide, the number of American Jews troubled by the situation in Gaza has grown. This group now includes major organizations typically refraining from criticizing Israeli policies.
Organizational Voices — The American Jewish Committee (AJC), a key advocacy group representing Jews globally, expressed its support for Israel’s actions against Hamas but also voiced sorrow over the war’s impact on Palestinian civilians. They urged Israel and other parties to collaborate to ensure humanitarian aid reaches Gaza.
Echoing this sentiment, the New York-based Rabbinical Assembly, representing rabbis from the Conservative Movement, emphasized the necessity for Israel to maximize humanitarian efforts, citing Jewish tradition’s emphasis on providing essential resources to those in need. Rabbi Moshe Hauer, from the Orthodox Union, reflected a mix of pride in Israel and concern over the humanitarian crisis, while condemning perceptions that hold Israel solely responsible without acknowledging Hamas’ actions.
The Reform Jewish Movement, representing the U.S.’s largest Jewish branch, issued a strong statement against Hamas’ actions but insisted that Israel should maintain its moral standing. They recognized the dire hunger faced by many Gazans and emphasized that while Hamas is largely at fault, Israel bears some responsibility in the humanitarian crisis unfolding.
Rabbis’ Reflections — As disturbing images and reports from Gaza circulate, Rabbi Jon Roos observed a shift in discussions about the Israel-Hamas conflict within Jewish communities. Leading Temple Sinai, a Reform synagogue in Washington, D.C., Roos noted a deeper engagement with these issues among his congregation. Temple Sinai’s clergy joined over 1,000 Jewish clerics in urging Israel to allow extensive humanitarian aid into Gaza, rejecting the justification of civilian suffering as a war tactic.
Rabbi Aaron Weininger from Adath Jeshurun in Minnesota, who also signed the clergy letter, remarked on the capacity for Zionism to simultaneously support Israelis and Palestinians. His community largely supported his stance, though some disagreed publicly questioning Israeli policies.
Protest and Arrest — More than two dozen rabbis were arrested at Senate Majority Leader John Thune’s office while advocating for U.S. action to provide food aid to Gaza. Among those arrested, Alissa Wise, founder of Rabbis for Ceasefire, emphasized the sacred value of all human life. Rabbi Andrue Kahn, opposing Zionism, noted a growing willingness among U.S. Jews to speak out on Gaza’s plight and influence Israeli policies.
Support for Netanyahu — Conversely, some Jewish voices defend the Israeli government. Rep. Randy Fine, R-Fla, accused media reports of exaggeration concerning the Gaza crisis. Similarly, certain Jewish news outlets argued the crisis is overstated and Hamas diverts aid for its purposes.
Articles in The Jewish Voice and Jewish News Syndicate criticized the international community for blaming Israel, arguing true supporters stand by Israel steadfastly, refusing to abandon their ally for approval or moral posturing.
(AP)
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