In the past weeks, you’ve probably heard about the conflict between Israel and Palestine. The topics I write about are usually more homegrown. But make no mistake, the United States has a hand in the devastation that is happening in Gaza right now.
As usual, our nation has sided with the oppressor. Now is the time where I call you all to action and say to put your foot down and denounce the oppression the US is taking part in.
But as a Jewish person, I understand that denouncing Israel might be a little tougher. Like many of my fellow Jews, I was taught from a young age that Israel was my homeland; that it was my birthright to live there if I chose.
I have since learned that it’s a settler colonial state built on the ethnic cleansing of the indigenous Palestinian population that has just as much of a right to live there.
People quickly denounce the conflict in Gaza as a religious one, but it is more than that. It is a struggle that plays to the tune of many worldwide: an indigenous population fighting against a powerful colonial force with superior resources and Western aid.
So what I am telling you to do is talk to your friends about this. Enlighten them on what Israel is really doing, and stand in solidarity with the Palestinians in their struggle.
I know this may be hard, especially for my fellow Jews, but for the sake of oppressed peoples worldwide we must push through. We cannot claim to support liberation movements like Black Lives Matter if we don’t stand for liberation worldwide.
For my fellow Jews, I want to end this by saying I understand how hard this is. The fact that some of our people are causing such destruction is tough to sit with. But I urge you to sit with it anyway, and acknowledge that what you were taught may not have been true. I believe we can stand up for Palestinian liberation, even if it’s uncomfortable. None of us are free until we all are.
Maddie Raymond lives in Goshen.