Jews have been dispossessed of their land, their homes, their belongings, from many countries (Iraq, Iran, Ethiopia, Yemen, Morocco, England, Russia, Ukraine, France) just as their ancestors were dispossessed by the Romans in the first two centuries of the common era, and by the Babylonians before them. This does not in any way justify the dispossession of Palestinians from their land and homes and belongings, but it is Jewish history. Here we are, two peoples, stuck together. There is no way forward without recognition of that reality.

Jews are still in deep, deep pain but that does not mean we cannot recognize that our Muslim, Palestinian, and Arab American friends are also in pain. We are capable of this nuance: standing with the Israeli people after the horrors of October 7th, and acknowledging our neighbors’ pain.

We are also capable of unequivocally condemning Hamas’ terror, supporting Israel’s right to defend itself, and demanding the unconditional release of the hostages, while also decrying the loss of innocent Palestinian lives. In fact, all of it is necessary if we are to ever find a path towards peace.

Particularly as extremists exploit this crisis to spread antisemitism, Islamophobia, and other forms of hate and bigotry, we are reminded that our communities’ safety and futures are inextricably linked.

Israel was created, in part, to ensure that Jews could never be massacred again. This has already occurred as civilians, women, children, the elderly, have indiscriminately been a target of Hamas. On October 7, 2023, more Jews died in a single day than any day since the Holocaust. In this war, Israeli soldiers will die and innocent Palestinians will die. Hamas is responsible for the loss of all those lives. If evil is permitted to win peace will not be possible.

Interactive Map of Atrocities Committed on October 7