Progressive Jews feel abandoned by some allies after Israel attack
Progressive Rabbi Feels Betrayed by Left-Wing Allies After Israel Attack
In the wake of the recent terror attack in Israel, Rabbi Joel Simonds, a Los Angeles-based rabbi known for his involvement in progressive causes, has expressed feeling abandoned by some of his ideological allies. The attack, which was the worst killing of Jews since the Holocaust, has highlighted a deep divide within the liberal Jewish community.
Simonds, who is the founding director of the Jewish Center for Justice and president of Partnership for Growth Los Angeles, has spoken out about the lack of sympathy shown by some on the left for the Israelis killed in the attack. He described the silence from some of his allies as “hurtful and a betrayal on so many levels.”
The rift within the progressive movement over Israel has been brewing for some time, with many liberal Jews feeling conflicted about how to navigate their support for social justice causes while also standing with Israel. The attack has brought these tensions to the forefront, exposing what some are calling antisemitism that has been allowed to fester on the left for years.
While Democratic officials, including President Joe Biden, have reaffirmed their support for Israel, a growing segment of the party’s base has begun to view Israel as the oppressor in the conflict, siding more with the Palestinians. This shift in sentiment has led to a reevaluation of alliances and a reexamination of the extent of antisemitism within progressive groups.
The response to the attack has sparked a reckoning on the left, with some progressive leaders condemning the lack of empathy shown by certain groups and individuals. The division over Israel is not new, but it has never been as visible as it is now, with pro-Palestinian activists criticizing what they see as a one-sided debate.
As the progressive movement grapples with how to address the conflict in the Middle East, Rabbi Simonds and others are calling for a more nuanced approach that respects the humanity of all involved. The debate over Israel is complex and multifaceted, and finding common ground among ideological allies is proving to be a challenging task.
In the midst of this turmoil, the progressive movement risks erasing the gains it has made in recent years, with some warning that the left must condemn violence and terrorism unequivocally, regardless of the political implications. As the debate rages on, the future of progressive politics in relation to Israel remains uncertain.