Breeze of Change in Borehamwood’s Jewish Community – Let’s Make It a Gale
In Borehamwood’s tight-knit Jewish community, a transformation is slowly unfolding. What I once saw as a monolithic support for Israel is giving way to a more nuanced understanding of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
As a Jew who has never blindly accepted the dominant views on Zionism, I often felt like an outsider in my own community. My reluctance to support a brand of Zionism that displaced a people and perpetuated their suffering, even during times of peace, was seen as a form of betrayal. Yet, we need to recognise that questioning certain policies or actions of the Israeli government does not equate to disloyalty to our Jewish identity or the state of Israel.
As the situation since October 7th has gone from seeking to eradicate Hamas to the mass killing of innocent Palestinian citizens, with no real success in eradicating Hamas, I find myself grappling with conflicting emotions regarding Israel. On the one hand, I feel my support for the existence of Israel wavering fast as I witness the devastating consequences of its policies on the Palestinian people. On the other hand, I recognise that it is primarily the actions and decisions of leaders like Netanyahu and other like-minded politicians that have fuelled my disillusionment with Israel as a nation, even as I maintain my support for its citizens and desire to see the return of the hostages.
These internal struggles that many of us feel (whether we voice them or not), reflect the complexity of the issue at hand. While we must hold Israel’s leaders accountable for their choices and policies, it is equally important to remember that a nation is more than its government.
There are countless Israelis who yearn for peace and coexistence. It is these individuals, striving for a better future for both Israelis and Palestinians, who remind me of the importance of distinguishing between a nation’s leadership and its people.
The recent groundswell of Israeli Jews protesting Israel’s actions, including the tragic loss of innocent Palestinian lives, has made a significant impact on the Jewish communities elsewhere. It has sparked conversations and introspection, giving many Jewish individuals the courage and permission to consider perspectives that deviate from the established narrative.
The ongoing vigil in Borehamwood for Israeli hostages brings together members of our community. The views expressed in the early days of the vigil disgusted me, because although emotions were understandably high, they starkly contrasted with the principles of justice and compassion that, as Jews, we are meant to uphold. We don’t like to be tarnished as a group for the sins of individuals among us, so why do so to another people?
Like other close-knit communities, the Jewish community can sometimes fall prey to groupthink, or the pressure to conform to what is perceived as the majority view. This can lead to the suppression of dissenting voices and discourage healthy debate.
I wanted more recognition that one can be both a supporter of Israel’s right to exist and a critic of its policies. Months on, I am starting to hear voices acknowledging the injustice, albeit mainly whispered.
Whispered or shouted, it demonstrates that empathy and compassion are not always limited by cultural boundaries. This broadening of perspectives is not about vilifying Israel or denying its right to defend its citizens against attacks. It is about acknowledging that, like all nations, Israel makes mistakes and must be held accountable for them.
It is about recognising the complexity of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and striving for a peaceful resolution that respects the rights and dignity of both peoples.
Indeed, navigating the complex landscape of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can be challenging due to the myriad of viewpoints and propaganda that surround it. Both Israel and Palestine, along with external parties, often present information that is either biased or incomplete, which makes it challenging to distinguish fact from fiction. This haze of misinformation is hindering the progress towards a just resolution for both sides and fuelling global hatred. To overcome this, we must remain vigilant in our pursuit of knowledge and understanding. This means seeking out multiple sources of information, engaging in critical thinking, and maintaining a healthy scepticism.
As I stand within the vigil in Borehamwood with my teddy bear held high and chant “Bring them home now”, I do so not only for the Israeli hostages we wish to see safely returned home, but also for the innocent Palestinians, many children, trapped in the chaos of Netanyahu’s destruction of a people under the guise of eradicating Hamas.
It is heartbreaking that, ironically, for the majority of Gazans, their homes have been reduced to rubble whilst Hamas still remains. So, we must continue asking, What was the point?
