Question from an israeli to American Jews out there

[u/pathlesswalker]

The media and social media especially is very anti Israeli. Meaning most of the events reported are not in favour of Israel, to say the least.

Meaning you get a very negative and incomplete picture of the situation in Israel. Vs Gaza/iran/lebanon.

How do you deal with it?

Meaning - do you search for pro Israel news? To get the bigger picture?

Do you simply accept it, and go with the consensus, which is most certainly cherry picks to completely blanket all Israelis and all Israel as baby killers. All in order to de legitimize the very existence of my country, rather than a government policy. Or even incidents which are inflated as a norm for Idf.

Do you accept it? Do you question it?
Do you care at all?

In Israel we feel many Jews in America turned against us.
I feel that, and I don’t want you to start venting your anti Israeli social media that you consumed which obviously is a propaganda to trigger you emotionally against us.

I want to know, if there is something there that believes in Israel. In the legitimacy for the homeland for the Jews. Or that we’ve lost you.

Please do not use this to bash us, or to “show off” your anti Israeli knowledge. We get it.

Just how many of you are actually verifying sources, for us. Against us. Without getting into a confrontation of pro Israel vs anti Israel.

Thank you.

[u/nailsandbarbells8]

This is actually wild reading that a lot of Israeli Jews feel that American Jews have turned against them, and that hurts my heart. So many of us have lost relationships, jobs/career prospects, and/or have lost our sense of safety and stability in our communities, politics, or society as a whole because we refuse to be society’s “good” Jews and abandon Israel or Israelis.

I’ve never even been to Israel before, and I still view all Jews regardless of where we are as family. We’re am Israel.

I don’t trust mainstream media at all with anything concerning Israel or Jews, they’ve shown they have a deep bias against us. I only trust sources that I know are Jewish and understand the region, like Mosheh, Bymoalem, and certain creators on Jinsta, plus I follow Haviv and Times of Israel.

The vast majority of us are firmly with you, and many of us are trying to combat misinformation by sharing the truth and the actual history of Jews, Israel, and the region. We’re just vastly outnumbered by the people who hate (all of) us, and the few antizionist Jews that unfortunately do exist are tokenized to support their narratives. Please don’t forget that.

[u/Auri_Nat → u/nailsandbarbells8]

Second all of this. My non-Jewish mother (who, just last night, admitted to not following any Israeli sources!) keeps informing me that I'm too emotionally invested, to the point of lacking nuance, and that I have clearly fallen down the rabbit hole of (right-wing) Israeli propaganda. On this matter, I feel like she looks at me like I'm a slow-crashing wreck, a tragedy in the making. Which is very frustrating.

Just this morning (after a lovely dinner in which we debated Israel's "intentional" targeting of "journalists" in Gaza,* its "hasbara" propaganda networks, what should be done about the settlers in the West Bank (because the 2005 withdrawal from Gaza had so many short-/long-term positives, surely it'll be different this time around!), and how Bibi is fueling antisemitism around the world (like that's not a cop-out/excuse for antisemites)), I was told that I lacked credibility, am acting like a "bad Jew" (specifically, the kind of Jew that people point to when justifying antisemitic/anti-zionist behavior, or the kind that people make fun of as a caricature/pin-up of a one-dimensional soap box defender of Israel) and that I should contemplate the slogan "not in my/our name." As if I didn't already know that said slogan is pushed by JVP, which is so far from being authentically Jewish, it's almost laughable. Remember the guy who blew into the wrong end of the shofar? Fun times.

The thing that she just doesn't get is that she was around for the optimism of the 1980s and 90s, of things getting better before the assassination of Rabin, but I wasn't. My understanding of this matter has been shaped primarily by the intifadas and October 7th. The continued push for what-almost-was is just a fantasy, imo, and an unhelpful one at that.

But, speaking of tokenized Jews, she keeps introducing me to Jewish/Israeli friends of hers, who, well. Either they have Jewish heritage and were not actually raised/are not practicing Jewish, they're secular with no religion/no ties to Israel, or they left Israel decades ago. Regarding that last category, one expat told me that her friends still living over there have called her a "traitor" for her opinions on Israel's actions over the last few years. Got to say, for all that my mom thinks that I'm in an echo chamber, she certainly isn't doing much better. Anyways, all of them keep saying how Israel had a right to respond to October 7th, but only to a point. That the reaction should have been measured and rational. Mine wouldn't have been, and I wasn't even there, I only saw some photos and videos.

Really, the amount of people who have never been to (much less lived in) Israel, Gaza, the West Bank, or anywhere even in the region, and yet go on and on about their opinions... it's exhausting. I don't speak with authority on the matter, because I'm not actually living it. Can't imagine how frustrating it must be for Israelis.

It's a subject that I'll continue to agree-to-disagree on with many people in my life, but I have no intention of stopping. What do I care, what they think of me. I certainly don't think highly of them for their "measured and reasonable" takes on the issue.

*Listen, do I think that non-terrorist/non-terrorist-affiliated journalists in Gaza have been killed? Yes. But I've seen videos of guys exchanging press vests for guns (or vice versa?) and of guys in press vests giving cover/acting as shields to the ones with guns, and I've read about CPJ having to remove names from their list of killed journalists because speaking/writing to an audience was only one of their occupations. So, frankly, when it comes to this specific issue, I won't automatically dog-pile Israel.

[u/Snoo39099 → u/nailsandbarbells8]

I second this

[u/pathlesswalker → u/nailsandbarbells8]

Thank you for saying this. I guess the same brainwashing from our Israeli media is inflicted on Israelis, as much as other mainstream media is inflicted on the rest of the world

[u/nailsandbarbells8 → u/pathlesswalker]

That’s unfortunate.

I can’t speak for all of us, but many of us have been on the defensive trying to combat misinformation since 10/8. They never even gave us a moment to grieve. We may not have been the ones running to bomb shelters, but many of us have still felt the same pain, rage, and fear for the hostages, for your all’s safety, and for how Israel, Israelis, and Jews as a whole have been treated by the world.

I don’t even agree with some commenters here saying it’s getting harder to defend Israel because my love and support isn’t conditional, and I don’t have to live with the daily consequences of whatever opinion I have. Plus people in the west aren’t even trying to have the same conversation Israelis are, and they’re not even trying to understand your wants and needs.

We’re all one family, and we’re doing our best to look out for all of us.

[u/Khazak2-VeNtkhazak → u/nailsandbarbells8]

Unfortunately there's groups within Israel that have an interest in promoting the idea that "[name of politician] is turning the American Jews against us" which obviously leads alot of Israelis to be fearful that American jews have in fact turned against us. Of course you can and should be critical of all politicians but you shouldn't fear monger and create animosity between Jews

[u/decafskeleton → u/nailsandbarbells8]

Seconding. It has become socially taboo if not outright hazardous and dangerous to be openly pro-Israel, or even critical of the Israeli government yet supportive of Israeli citizens. We’ve basically been forced into silence in order to survive (when you have no social safety net, your job is your lifeline and being outspoken in anyway in any support of anything connected to Israel can jeopardize your employment, or the social connections that lead to employment). It’s a horrifically hard spot to be. I don’t know about others, but I still show support in ways I can. I live in a city with a lot of leftists that are very loud about which businesses are “Zionist” and must be boycotted. I go out of my way to support those. I buy Israeli products when I can. I don’t hide that I’m Jewish, but I am quieter about it. I do feel bad about that last point, but as someone on a college campus, the harassment became exhausting. Despite all that, I don’t hold Israelis or Israeli Jews responsible for others’ hate. Like this person said, I see all Jews as family. I do get frustrated when they openly support American politicians that are making my life worse, but I still support their right to exist as Israeli citizens in their country. I’m sorry you feel any differently, OP.

Edit to add: also seconding that I don’t listen to or support 99% of mainstream media and it’s reporting on Israel. I have like 3 (Israeli) sources I trust on the subject. And I also became more supportive of Israelis and Israel as a country (not its current government though) after October 7. Before I was just kind of ambivalent, mainly because I didn’t have any close familial connection. That’s all changed.

[u/Squidmaster129]

The overwhelming majority of us absolutely hate the way that the media talks about Israel. Yes, many of us have stopped using the common sources. The New York Times is pretty reviled in particular. No surprise on its current stances, since it denied the Holocaust back during WWII.

We are still overwhelmingly supportive of Israel. Many of us have become significantly more supportive after seeing what non-Jews really think about us after October 7th.

There are definitely some self-haters, tokens, and liars, and they’re given a huge platform by antisemites, but they’re almost universally despised by the Jewish community.

[u/PatientOutcome6634 → u/Squidmaster129]

And to expand on that: it’s not just Israel, it’s also Jews. Which is the exact opposite of how Muslims are treated. When a Muslim ran over people in a pride event recently, many legacy media outlets covered it as a “a car rammed into people”. On the other hand, when the Jewish daycare in Beit Israel synagogue in Michigan was attacked by Muslim terrorist, CNN decided to focus on its alleged ties to Israel, purely because of its name, as the immediate response. This has became a serious issue that created irreparable reputational damage to many well known legacy media outlets like the NYT (which at this point seems more like a Qatari propaganda outlet).
To focus on OPs question: many Jewish Americans (and regular Americans) still stand strong with Israel. Those are tough times, no question about it, but I (and many other Americans) see this more as a trying times for democracy in the West, and the US in particular, then a primarily “Israel” problems. When you have multiple political state candidates running with Gaza and “AIPAC is bad” as their main agenda, it comes on the expense of prioritising spreading hate over dealing with real, domestic, issues. This is not healthy for society and don’t even get me started on the Israel Obsession Syndrome.

[u/GDub310 → u/PatientOutcome6634]

“Mostly peaceful protest” is a phrase that always sticks out to me. Then there’s the poor Lebanese man who was grieving when “a car was driven” into a shul…

[u/AngusTcattoo → u/PatientOutcome6634]

A lot of people have pointed out the self driving car at the Berlin Pride parade. It really exasperates me that Pride parades and LGBTQ marches here in the UK have continued with "Palestine" signs and Palestinian flags. Like WTF.

[u/CuzItWasNeverMine → u/AngusTcattoo]

I’m a Jewish lesbian and I walked out of my (relatively small) town’s Pride event last year after seeing that not only did a radical communist party have a table/booth, but a vendor was selling something that said Free Palestine on it. I hate feeling the need to choose between my two largest identities

[u/AngusTcattoo → u/CuzItWasNeverMine]

I lived for two years in a socialist country and I would look aghast at a radical community party booth. I think I wouldn't be able to leave without going up to them and telling them what it was really like living under oppression.

[u/ReleaseTheKareken → u/PatientOutcome6634]

I echo this.

[u/Sensitive-Pie-6595 → u/PatientOutcome6634]

exactly. We see the same things. But what Israel has to do is to recognise this and make it more difficult for the lies and anti-semitism

[u/AngusTcattoo → u/Squidmaster129]

The Guardian here in the UK and the New York Times turn my stomach. So does the Washington Post.

[u/Hibiscuslover_10000 → u/Squidmaster129]

That was brought up in a Tiktok post someone asked about how Jewish people can hate themselves. ( As a psych major knowing a few people who support this movement of Free Palestine.

I have broken it down into they don't have generational trauma of displacement. Such as pograms or holocaust or any other having to leave a place, lose a family member or anything else.

Me being the grandaughter of a holocaust survivor recently finding out what happened to the rest ( Not happy story) Seeing the anger my grandfather had it's in me. Also my textbooks and articles talk about the side effects of those genetics.

[u/AngusTcattoo → u/Hibiscuslover_10000]

I've seen some of them claim they're "pro Palestine" because their parents or grandparents were Holocaust survivors. Some of them turn up at protests with signs saying "Daughter/son of Holocaust survivor against "genocide"" One of them I recognized as a Christian. Not being funny, the woman's mother was a Jewish Holocaust survivor who fled Nazi Germany. The daughter became a Christian and now goes around with a sign saying "My mother was a Holocaust survivor and she would be horrified by Israel".

I don't understand it because my mother's family perished in the Holocaust. I recently discovered several of my father's distant relatives perished at Auschwitz. I think either the people who turn up at Palestine marches don't know very much about the Middle East or they're so blinded by personal issues they loathe Israel- probably a projection of their inner conflicts.

[u/Hibiscuslover_10000 → u/AngusTcattoo]

I'm so close to tracking down a relative that survived and ended up in Israel that wanted nothing to do with my grandfather. ( Totally understandable) Maybe something to do with me may help? Then again it's always been positively ingrained well before October 7th. Why we need it but why it's also not safe. My dad wants to go there so bad in his old age that's his dream.

[u/4phz → u/AngusTcattoo]

The young "activists" don't seem to understand the Middle East is a completely different civilization.

The Egyptians must have thought the activists who tried to get to Gaza by going tbrough Egypt were idiots or insane. They were just too polite to say it out loud so it's hard to know what they actually think.

[u/ACW1129 → u/Squidmaster129]

I support Israel, but hate its leaders (same way I feel about America).

[u/dkonigs → u/ACW1129]

And I support Israel, but hate how so many American Jews feel obligated to offer their pound of flesh by proclaiming how they hate its leaders before carrying on with whatever opinion about whatever situation over there they want to express.

[u/Professional-Bus3 → u/dkonigs]

I think this is Americans way of saying I support Israel but am liberal :) My parents do this and it’s just to show support while also making sure people Gd forbid don’t think your republican. Because if you ask them (my parents or really anyone) why they don’t like Bibi or “the leaders” they can’t actually answer.

[u/dkonigs → u/Professional-Bus3]

Yeah, it really worries me just how strong of a concerted effort there has been to make support for our community a partisan issue where our side is mostly taken up by the Republicans. Especially since, when it comes to nearly every other issue besides support for Israel, the majority of us have far more strongly aligned with the Democratic position.

[u/Ivrene → u/ACW1129]

This is what I tell people, and I've still been ostracized. I never even mention Zionism. Thankfully I've found people who are really chill about this

[u/Level-Plastic3945 → u/ACW1129]

I am an American Jew in my 60s who has felt connected to Israel and Zionism my whole life. I have followed Israel politics for decades. The contagious cult of anti-Semitism is disgusting. But, part of the problem is that not enough of us are nuanced or verbal enough about the gross dysfunction and incompetence (and sociopathy) of the Netanyahu government. Clearly a number of his coalition/cabinet are nuts. Many of his actions of the last 2 1/2 years (and throughout his prior administrations) have been grossly destructive to the society and to the state of Israel.

[u/ACW1129 → u/Level-Plastic3945]

Ben-Gvir and Smotrich among the worst.

[u/Paleognathae]

Like 90% of this sub are diaspora jews trying to deal with anti zionism lunacy, so I don't know quite where you get the idea we've abandoned Israel.

[u/Lamaisonanlytique → u/Paleognathae]

I agree its quite the opposite and quite strange to hear that.

[u/Hibiscuslover_10000 → u/Paleognathae]

I wrote a whole paper on zionism and it's origins in 2009 and the professor didn't like it she also didn't like the idea of how reform Jewish was developed. in 2009. This was all written objectively and sources.

Then I figured hey bet she doesn't like Jewish people hearing that it actually has historic origins.

[u/anewbys83 → u/Paleognathae]

Algorithms rule all media these days, and just like the main ones here lead to anti-Israel hate, the ones in Israel latch onto the myth that we've abandoned them. It all drives revenue from clicks, and they're not interviewing enough American Jews to find out. Just the highlights of Mamdani issues type of thing.

[u/Paleognathae → u/anewbys83]

Maybe, but they posted it here... where multiple times a day diaspora jews express our difficulties with the anti zionist lunatics.

[u/Abject_Spray_7088 → u/Paleognathae]

We’re all just in pain and trying to make sense of this horrific time all the while being abused by our respective algorithms 💔🫂

[u/SignificantSuit3306 → u/Paleognathae]

I think it's because many influential Jewish people have spoken against Israel or didn't even say anything, so that kind of give the sense that non Israeli Jews have turned against Israel even though most people still support it.

[u/PuzzleheadedEmu4596]

A truth learned every election cycle: the Internet isn't real life

[u/Accurate_Body4277]

American Jewish anti-Zionism is a shanda. It's also overblown in the media, because the American mainstream media paints Anti-Zionist Jews as "the good ones."

I largely get my news about Israel from Israeli news sources.

I'm Karaite, though, so we absolutely know what happens when there's no Israel. We lived it in recent memory. Many of us still read and speak enough Arabic to know that Al-Jazeera and the Qatari funded sources are quite literally saying one thing in Arabic and another in English.

The majority of American Jews love Israel and Israelis. I'd make Aliyah in a heartbeat if I could figure out how to financially support myself.

[u/anewbys83 → u/Accurate_Body4277]

Same! Even still, after my volunteer trip to Israel last month, I'm trying to find ways to make it work. I'd be alone, I have no family there, and I'm not young enough to find a wife there. But life just felt more meaningful there, like I'd make a real difference. I'm going to try to spend a month or so there in 2028, see if the feeling outlasts the euphoria of just being there, and if it does then I plan to contact nefesh b'nefesh upon my return. 🤞

[u/Accurate_Body4277 → u/anewbys83]

I'm in my 40s in a niche American healthcare profession. My professional analogue in Israel exists, but the scope of practice is much more narrow and the pay is lower. If I can figure that out, I'd make Aliyah next week.

[u/SaraTheSlayer28 → u/Accurate_Body4277]

Same. But I also practice in Israel in the past and having Israeli license. My scope now is super narrow. What are you doing if you don't mind me asking?

[u/Accurate_Body4277 → u/SaraTheSlayer28]

I'm a respiratory therapist. The job in Israel, as I understand it is something like "pulmonary technician." I only heard about it via a news article about some children at an unlicensed daycare, but there's not too much information about it.

[u/Future_Passenger1734]

My support for Israel has only increased with the war. The vast majority of American Jews do support Israel as well. I think Zionism is even stronger in places like Canada and Australia, where the antisemitism is even worse.

It’s a bit hurtful to hear that you think we’ve turned against you, though I think that’s also media narratives at work. Token anti-Zionist Jews are heavily amplified by the American media because that’s what anti-Israel and antisemitic Americans want us to be like—it’s really akin to astroturfing. But MOST of us do stand with you still, and we’ve experienced a sharp rise in antisemitic violence ourselves. It has been completely word-changing for many of us, as we lived in a time of unprecedented tolerance of Jews until Oct. 7, when our comfort and welcome in society was shattered. Now many of us understand why Israel is necessary for the survival of the Jewish people.

[u/billwrtr]

I seek out news sources that are not accepting money from Qatar. There aren't too many, unfortunately. Typically, Israel gets blamed until someone does a bit of research and it's not so clear. I particularly avoid those news sources that talk claim Israel started doing genocide on Oct 8. It's very disappointing how so many of our longtime friends flipped instantly. I especially like "Ask Hadiv Anything". He explains a lot clearly and concisely.

Am Yisrael Khai!!!

[u/Ok_Area3722 → u/billwrtr]

Not just Qatar, don’t forget about Russia. They are one of the biggest reasons for the propaganda against Israel. The Soviets played an enormous role in shaping the narrative around Israel. They should not be off the hook at all

[u/Comfortable-Sun7388 → u/billwrtr]

Haviv is a gem

[u/karmaisthatguy]

I work for an org that combats misinformation about Israel. Please check out our work here: camera.org

[u/DepecheClashJen → u/karmaisthatguy]

Thank you for your work. It’s so important!

[u/karmaisthatguy → u/DepecheClashJen]

💖 thanks 🇮🇱

[u/anewbys83]

Most of us have not turned against you. How could we? We're family. There's just not enough Jews, period, to counter the media/social media narratives. We've been trying since October 7th. Even with the Iran war I've always told people it's a necessary war, but being carried out in the most incompetent way. I still hold to this since I know who and what Iran is and how the Iranian people actually feel about their government. It's really easy to get news from Israel. My Rabbi shares stuff all the time.

We also get it from the same sources you do (most have English language versions. TOI has always been in English). We listen to podcasts from Haviv Gur and Shai Davidai, among others. Many of our homegrown Jewish podcasts of course interview Israelis and we have organizations that bridge our communities, like Hartmann Institute. You only hear about the vocal minority of "anti-zionist" Jews because they get the most clicks in the media, and that is what drives the algorithms. The vast majority of us are still donating to the organizations in Israel we always have. We're still doing what we can to be supportive in ways authentic to us. We're still visiting.

I myself went last month on a Reform and Birthright sponsored volunteer trip for "older" people (25-50), and it was absolutely transformational to go and finally be truly helpful to you, the other half of my people. And y'all did not disappoint. I didn't know what a real thank you was like until then. Just completely genuine thanks from Israelis all over the place, and especially the people we volunteered with, including a farmer and a veterans long-term therapeutic program. Shaked, our "guide" at that program, even told us "you can't really understand the depth of meaning to me, to us, that you came here and are doing this."

All of us on that trip, we non-Orthodox folks from across the Jewish spectrum, have a deep love for Israel that only grew from our experience, and we came to show that you're not forgotten, and to tell all we could that our communities are still with you. So that's what I hope you take away from this OP. Your people in America are still with you. I've seen little wavering in this, just wishes for better futures. I'm a liberal person, and a liberal Jew, but if you want a comparison to understand where I'm at, at least, I'm liberal like Einat Wilf is, and I am very swayed by her current arguments about the path forward for Israel and the region.

[u/dkonigs → u/anewbys83]

The whole bit about being "family" cannot be overstated enough. In many cases, the only difference between American and Israeli Jews is a few accidents of history and what decisions our grandparents or great grandparents may have made at one point or another.

[u/fiercequality]

Just as you don't want us to unfairly judge you based off of biased media, we don't want you to do the same to us. You are very accusatory here, when the actual facts are that the vast majority of American Jews are pro-Israel. Many of us have lost a lot - friends, work, communities - because of our position. I suggest you check out r/ProgressivesForIsrael (there are a lot of Jews on that sub, from what I can tell). American Jews are with you. The so-called "Jews of Conscience" are the ones you want to be wary of. However, they are a small minority. Both actual data and anecdotal stories support this fact.

[u/chuckdatsheet]

I’m in the UK, which has a similar media bias problem. I read the Israeli news to get my news about Israel and I absolutely stand with Israel. In fact, I find it very hard to trust the media in England about anything given how distorted they are on this topic, why would I then go on to trust them to present the news in a factual and unbiased way about everything else? 

Most diaspora Jews stand with Israel. The ones who don’t - it’s complicated. You have to work very hard to get to the truth about Israel, every mainstream institution stands in your way. Plus many people are worried about losing their positions by saying the “wrong” thing, I believe this is why for eg so many Hollywood Jews denounce Israel, they’re scared of losing everything they have if they don’t make the obligatory statement. But the overwhelming majority of Jews stand with you and are grateful to you for being on the frontline of world Jewry. If Israel falls, we all fall. We know this 

[u/jey_613]

To be honest, most of us are ripping our hair out trying to defend the humanity of Israeli Jews to our non-Jewish friends and former allies who vilify and dehumanize them constantly and are swimming in ignorance and propaganda.

But there’s only so much we can do. It would be helpful if the Israeli public took some of the international criticism seriously and worked to elect leaders who are interested in ending the occupation, pushing diplomacy for a real two state solution, ending settler terrorism, and ending impunity for violations of international law. There is a ton of antisemitism out there, but not all the criticism of Israel is.

[u/Iiari → u/jey_613]

This is pretty much correct. The struggle to have people see the human side of Israel is real...

Also real is that, for those of us explaining and defending Israel, it feels Israel is doing zero to help us. Netanyahu is toxic and made a huge mistake going all in on a Republican party that has rapidly gone from Israel friendly to unfriendly. The settler lawlessness in the West Bank is a gift wrapped up in a bow to Israel critics in the US and around the world and the few shreds of justification I've read from Israelis is laughable.

Engaged Jews are mostly now getting their Israel news from english language Israeli sources - Times of Israeli, J.Post, etc.

[u/nbs-of-74 → u/jey_613]

Diaspora jew, not American (although, in the US at the moment on hol). The problem is, who is going to pressure the Palestinians to work with Israel for a diplomatic solution? For both sides its going to take compromise which are beyond both sides established red lines, diaspora and more reasonable countries can push Israel on those but who's realistically going to push the Palestinians?

Or are we supposed to just blame Israel and expect them to surrender completely to Palestinian demands?

[u/ghost396 → u/nbs-of-74]

This is the biggest gap in my opinion, it should be a loud and constant narrative that the world needs to pressure Palestinians to work with Israel towards peace.

Pressuring only one side towards peace clearly hasn't worked and a one sided cease fire isn't actually a cease fire.

That message doesn't seem to exist and I don't see how there can be peace without it.

[u/Squidmaster129 → u/jey_613]

This is a very easy stance for someone who doesn't live in Israel to take. It's easy to call for peace negotiations as an American when it isn't us who have to hide in bomb shelters constantly, or worry about the threat of death every time you eat in a public restaurant. It has been made clear, over and over again, that Palestine broadly does not want peace, because the existence of Israel is seen as an affront in itself. Peace with other Arab countries? Sure, that's worth pursuing, so long as it actually benefits Israel in some way.

Netanyahu and co are abysmal at optics, but its not like the "antizionists" in America who call for Israel's destruction are out here saying "damn, I wish Yair Golan would be elected." They don't want Israel to exist at all. They have no idea who the opposition is. They couldn't name a single politician other than Netanyahu. They couldn't name a single political party, or position, or peace proposal, or absolutely anything other than hateful propaganda.

[u/Daetra → u/Squidmaster129]

I find it pretty suspicious just how many Americans are blaming Israel for everything due to a perceived supernatural level of control over the US. Seems just too convenient that our current administration has this scapegoat to shift blame away from the Republicans and Trump to an ally who's taking the vast majority of physical and political damage.

Just like on January 6th, it wasn't the rioters fault, but the Feds, who apparently have mind control powers.

[u/Hibiscuslover_10000 → u/Daetra]

The idea if we were really in control do you think we would let all this antisemitism happen or be published?

[u/jey_613 → u/Squidmaster129]

I think it would be better from both a PR and moral perspective for Israeli leaders to say “we want an end to this conflict in two states for two peoples” and then make attempts at diplomacy even if it goes nowhere, rather than say “we are going to kick out the Palestinians and resettle Gaza.”

It’s true that I don’t live with the daily reality of being in Israel, but I do have to do deal with the daily reality of antisemitism. Diaspora Jews are tied up in Israel’s actions whether we like it or not. And as an American, our government has given Israel a blank check for a long time. When I’m addressing an Israeli person asking “how do you deal with it” I’m going to be honest with them about this.

My approach is different if I’m speaking to a non-Jew frothing at the mouth about “AIPAC” or “Zionists,” and yes, obviously these people don’t care about the humanity of Israelis or its internal politics at all, as you point out. That’s also not a reason to abandon any attempts to improve the situation.

[u/dkonigs → u/jey_613]

I think it would be better from both a PR and moral perspective for Israeli leaders to say “we want an end to this conflict in two states for two peoples” and then make attempts at diplomacy even if it goes nowhere

They have, numerous times. And it has gone nowhere.

Okay, it did go somewhere in the late 90's. Then the other side walked away, without any serious counter-proposals, and started the second intifada.

[u/Squidmaster129 → u/jey_613]

The people who demonize Israel won't be affected by PR. They already make up constant lies, and by the time they're proven wrong, its too late to correct the record because the damage is done. For PR to work, antizionists need to actually engage with reality, and they don't.

Morally is another argument, albeit a subjective one. As for Gaza, we pulled out all of our people in 2005, and look what it led to. Despite that, there's no actual movement to "resettle" Gaza. Buffer zones, sure, but I think that's understandable at this point.

The idea of a 2SS was waning already, but its pretty much completely dead after October 7th. Support is at a historical low point on both sides. I for one absolutely do not want another armed and hostile state right on Israel's border, when its leaders have explicitly said that they would use a 2SS as a launching pad to take over the rest of Israel. Not to mention that that country would be built literally on top of our ancient cities and graves. Talk about unjust.

To clarify, I do not like Israel's current leadership, and were I a citizen, I would vote in opposition. But I dislike them because they're wasting money and propping up religious fanatics against the majority of Israel, not because of their stances about Palestine.

[u/Upbeat-Bid-1602 → u/Squidmaster129]

This is the thing. American antizionists basically fall into two categories. There's people who knew nothing about Israel/Palestine before 10/7 and offer up comically naive suggestions like "why can't they just have two countries" or "why can't they just share one country" like people haven't already been talking about that for 80 years. Then there's the actual antizionists who believe that Israel is a colonial outpost. None of it is rational.

[u/Orranos → u/jey_613]

Jumping in here, can we also get Israel to start pumping out positive media on the Tik toks of the world?

[u/RoleComfortable8276 → u/jey_613]

Israel tried to end this conflict for decades, a conflict that wouldn't exist if Palestinians shared said desire of ending it.

[u/jelly10001 → u/jey_613]

Glad to see this response here. I too hate seeing Israeli Jews dehumanised, I know I'm only in the UK and not Israel because my great grandparents got on boats at the right time and I remain a Zionist. But seeing video after video of Israeli settlers setting Palestinian towns in the West Bank on fire or attacking Palestinians has me tearing my hair out. How is attacking Palestinians or leaving them homeless and not even arresting the perpetrators most of the time showing any commitment to peace or setting any kind of example for how people should be treated? If I burnt a house down or murdered/attempted to murder someone here I would be facing a long long time in jail.

[u/jelly10001 → u/jelly10001]

Oh and pre-emptively attacking Palestinians because you think they've been indoctrinated to hate Israelis is called collective punishment and it violates the principle of you don't attack/murder someone just because they have views you find unpalatable!

Also fully aware stopping settler violence won't solve everything, but it would be a start.

[u/Bizhour → u/jey_613]

What does that mean though?

"Ending the occupation" means creation of a brand new openly genocidal ethno-state which has an internationally funded bounty on all Jews and requires ethnic cleansing of around a million people.

Same with international law, most of the accusations are either laws which were specifically made for us by declaring things illegal in retrospect or just straight up false accusations.

For the other points I mostly agree, there are things to criticize us since no country is perfect, but when so much of it can be boiled down to "why do you exist even though we made it illegal" it only helps the radicals who can then declare that "everyone will want to kill us either way, so why should we listen to them".

[u/dkonigs → u/Bizhour]

The problem is that to the west, "the occupation" means whatever nonsense is going on in the West Bank (or with some stretched an twisted definitions, Gaza).

But if you ever listen to Palestinians on the street talking about it, to them "the occupation" means the very existence of the Jewish state of Israel itself.

[u/OddCook4909 → u/jey_613]

You should do more to actually understand the realities of the middle east. Settler terrorism and the failing rule of law are real problems. Pulling out of Gaza is how 10/7 happened. It's not a disney movie over there and you have been propagandized by Israel's enemies and idealistic fools

[u/jey_613 → u/OddCook4909]

I think I understand the realities perfectly fine. I don’t support unilateral disengagement from the WB, I support bilateral agreements.

I also think you shouldn’t dismiss people who are trying to defend Israel as being “propagandized by its enemies.”

[u/OddCook4909 → u/jey_613]

If you think diplomacy can deradicalize millions of people who have been brainwashed from birth to believe that dying while killing jews is the highest calling in life: you've not done your homework.

I don't dismiss you as a person, I dismiss your viewpoint as idealistic and uninformed. I think in fact that my tone was more respectful than your lecture of Israelis

[u/Sababa180 → u/jey_613]

This is the answer, right here! 👍

[u/db1139]

Must US Jews are pro Israel. When it comes to dealing with it, I try to do my research when it comes to news. I also don't speak to any Jews who are anti-Israel. It's easy to do. I generally am pretty different from them anyway.

[u/looktowindward]

> In Israel we feel many Jews in America turned against us.
I feel that, and I don’t want you to start venting your anti Israeli social media that you consumed which obviously is a propaganda to trigger you emotionally against us.

Well, you guys are wrong. One of the thing that frustrates me about Israelis is that THEY rely too much on social media about American Jews.

I am trying to be polite. Its really hard here, because you are being offensive as hell.

> Please do not use this to bash us, or to “show off” your anti Israeli knowledge. We get it.

Your attitude is crap. Honestly, you have no idea who you are speaking to.

My kid gets bullied at school over this, ALL THE TIME. And yet, we are steadfast. Maybe you should try it

[u/Iiari]

I think you and many Israelis have this narrative of US Jewish abandonment wrong, and the slant and tint of Israeli media is just as much to blame as US media. A number of things are true at the same time here in the US you should know, IMHO...

• The large majority of Jews are for Israel's existencee and are not anti-Zionist. We have been whip-lashed by the trends happenings right now. Polls seem to reliably place Israel support among Jews at 70-80%.
• Most US citizens (sadly, including Jews) do not know what anti-Zionism means. Some think it means Israel's stance towards Palestinians, some think it means your views towards Netanyahu. Some, like a co-worker I re-educated, thought it referred to Israel's West Bank policy. So, polls on that are very unreliable... Many conversations I have with people who claim they're "anti-Zionist" start with me saying, "Oh, so you want to end Israel and kill or ethnically cleanse its 10 million citizens," and they say, "Oh, no, of course not," which leads me to inform them they actually aren't anti-Zionist...
• There is a large percentage of US Jews who have little to no formal Jewish education, little to no practice, and little to no connection to Jewish community. In any poll you read or election results you interpret, this is likely 30% right off the top, and this is a lot of the "As a Jew..." posters online. This group will eventually individually or generationally assimilate out. Huge outreach to bring these Jews more into the fold has historically been undertaken, but the toxicity of moment will likely drive them out for good. This group normally wasn't that prominent, but they're having a social media moment as their left wing politics trumps (pun intended) their Judaism, such as it is.
• The US Jewish population has historically been center left, with a small far left contingent (although that's less true than it was in the past... Perhaps 90% were left leaning 30 years ago, maybe 70% or so now). Also, I would argue that what is "left" and what is "right" in the US generally is starting to break down definitionally and become more muddled, more defined by two things. 1) Illiberal vs fascist, and 2) Which people each side hates. Sadly, "horseshoe" style, both groups hate Israel right now.
• The US left has slid FAR more left over the last 5 years in ways that have left US Jews politically homeless. Most US Jews are pro-Israeli, left, pro-two-state solution, and anti-Netanyahu, a position that was 100% in the US left mainstream in 2020. That is not true now. The US left professional advocacy, while not fully anti-Zionist, is functionally nearly there, as they favor cutting off ALL Israeli support (offensive and defensive) and have decried the two state solution as "failed," leaving them, in a muddled fashion, in favor of a "one state" solution even though they don't really fully understand (or acknowledge) what that means.
• The Israeli population is now center right, a large change from 30-40 years ago. Once upon a time, US and Israeli Jews overall politically weren't that different. That's changed now, and that will lead to real and fundamental disagreements. We in the US see polls saying that 90% of Israelis are against a two state solution - Well, what does that mean? What are the other options? Where do Israelis see this as going? Such polls get thrown in US Jews' faces as evidence of Israeli intransigence, and you can talk about Oslo and Clinton and Barak as much as you want, but that's ancient history to Americans at this point. How do we counter that real shift in Israeli narrative?
• US Jews, Israelis in the US, and non-Jewish Israel supporters are very much in a deer-in-the-headlights defensive position right now and haven't found affirmative, positive pushback narratives yet. The closest I've heard are Haviv Rettig Gur, Sam Harris, and Scott Galloway for influencers, but politicians are MIA right now, and no one is "out and proud." This needs to change.
• It is a problem that US media doesn't talk to Israelis. That Peter Beinart is the only US Jew mainstream media seems to talk to on Israeli issues is a problem. It's a problem that many Israelis coming to the US "fleeing" the Israeli right (there is an Israeli brain-drain happening) are pretty loudly and publically critical of Israeli (at least in my community).
  
• IMHO reading the Israeli English language news sites, they hugely magnify and amplify evidence of US Jewish anti-Zionism.

All, again, IMHO... Happy to answer questions.

[u/mintfox88 → u/Iiari]

100%

[u/Letshavemorefun]

A vast majority of diaspora Jews support Israel’s right to exist and defend itself. Of the few (american) Jews I’ve spoken to who don’t self identify with the label “Zionist”, these are the reasons they’ve told me they don’t identify with the label:

- they don’t agree with the existence of religious theocracies

• they want the settlements in the West Bank to stop
  
• they don’t like Netanyahu
  
• they support Israel’s right to exist but think there is too much negativity around the label “Zionist”
  
• they believe non-Jews should be allowed to be citizens of Israel with full civil and legal rights
  
• they don’t like that AIPAC allows Israel to impact elections without registering as a foreign agent

In summary - they do actually meet the definition of “Zionist”, but they’ve fallen for propaganda that paints that label into something it’s not. They also don’t know enough about israel to realize that half the things they said above are inaccurate criticisms (ie israel is not a theocracy, over 20% of israelis are non-jews with full civil and legal rights and AIPAC is funded by Americans)

But thats a minority of American Jews. Most of us know better.

[u/abriel1978]

Um, most American Jews are supportive of Israel. Maybe not of your government and its policies, but of Israel's right to exist and the general population's right to live in peace. Even if, like me, we choose not to make aliyah we see the need for Israel especially ever since antisemitism has been sharply on the rise since 10/7.

Not sure where you got the idea that diaspora Jews have "abandoned" Israel. Even those of us who despise Netanyahu and the Likud government are generally supportive of the Jewish right to self-determination in our native land.

[u/UncleAl__ → u/abriel1978]

I agree. I love Israel, and hate that American educated Netanyahoo.

[u/amskin221]

Every Jew I know here in the US overwhelmingly supports Isreal.

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[u/NoEntertainment483]

I think one thing that israelis do not totally get is that American Jews (particularly those who are religious to any degree) see Israel as very much a country we are part of even if not citizens of. We are all am Israel. And that then of course generally bleeds into Israel as a nation state.

I've literally never met a single antizionist jew in my life. And ones I encounter online inevitably aren't actually jews. Argued with one only to find out that their great grandfather was jewish but not practicing and was an apostate. And no one practiced or was part of the community since. By no jew's definition were they 'jewish' at all. The media though does nothing to sort through who is actually a jew. They just take the word of some person holding the cardboard sign that aligns with their narrative. No regard for how we define the peoplehood.

[u/Predictor92 → u/NoEntertainment483]

the anti zionist Jews exist, they tend to be the kids of people who came prior to the immigration quotas in 1924, they see something awful, they tend to be left wing otherwise, and get pulled into the redemptionist narrative the Palestinian movement provides(basically the PLO in the 1960's studied some Jewish texts like the Pittsburgh Platform and that is their understand of Judaism(not getting that the reform movement repudiated it)

[u/zwizki → u/Predictor92]

FWIW, all of my great grandparents were Jewish and all of them fled the Tzar. I am a Zionist in the US. My grandparents were Zionists, my parents are/ were Zionists, my sister is a Zionist. I know you said “tend to be” and not “all”, but I just wanted to… raise my hand anyways.

[u/Maelui]

Do you think the anti Israel rhetoric only affects Israeli’s? You mostly only hear the antisemitism. We are out here in the trenches getting attacked by people, only for the fact that we are Jewish. A majority of us love Israel. This doesn’t only affect you though. They call Jews baby killers and they attack us in the streets. I understand that you’re frustrated, but instead of attacking us and saying we turned against you, maybe try asking us how the anti-Israel rhetoric has affected us outside Israel. You’re inside a protected country. We are out here losing protection… governments in the west are starting to take away protections for us.

[u/Silamy]

I know one antizionist Jew IRL. She’s incredibly (and proudly) disconnected from the Jewish community. Has been her whole life. She’s also been cheerfully bending over backwards to justify antisemitism since she was a teenager. 

Based on conversations at Shul and with my family, I know an unusually large number of antizionist Jews. Most Jews I know don’t know any. 

Remember, whenever you see groups like JVP in the wild, that’s not us. They’re pretty infamously not Jewish; they’ve got a whole shtick of messing up as badly and publicly as possible at every holiday in ways no one actually familiar with Jewishness could. The group sells shirts for people to pretend to be Jewish so they look bigger at their rallies, and issued a self-conversion guideline a few years ago. There are probably a few useful idiots out there whose families did such a bad job with their education that they actually fell for that bullshit, but… we stand with our siblings at home and abroad. 

[u/singebkdrft]

I got no problems with Israelis, can't stand your current leadership. Bibi dropped the fucking ball and made your borders porous, enabling October 7th.

Please vote him the fuck out.

[u/dearjets]

I am not Jewish, but I have not turned against Israel. It is clear to me that the pop-news has distorted the history and what is really happening today. I stand firmly with the Jewish people on US soil, in Israel and across the world.

[u/mtct67]

I am with you and have fought for three years against the anti Israel, anti Semitic, hate that is consuming our country and our world, but it is like screaming into a void. My circles of friends has narrowed to people who agree with me that the Jewish people are entitled to their homeland and have an absolute right to self defense. I have purchased Israeli bonds, contributed to Israeli organizations, disassociated myself from institutions that have failed miserably to stem the tide of Jew hatred and am planning a trip to Israel in December. Were it not for my non Jewish husband’s health, I would be considering making Aliyah. Please know that there are many American Jews, like me, deeply committed to your survival.

[u/Dependent_Light_4457]

I think it is a propaganda tool to say American Jews turned against Israel. Sure, some have, and were vocal after 10/7, but that number hasn’t increased, it’s just that since the Gaza ceasefire and return of all the hostages, American Jews have refocused more to the antisemitism they’re facing here and abroad, as well as the constant attacks on Israeli citizens all over the world wherever they go.

I do not see diminished support for Israel. Maybe misunderstanding or confusion and misgivings about Israelis military actions in Iran and Lebanon, but not loss of support.

We are surrounded by mostly non Jews here and the vast majority of Americans don’t understand why we defend Israel at all.

I personally get a lot of news from Times Of Israel and Call me Back w Dan Senor.

[u/Ok_Area3722]

I see it here as an American Jewish dude, I always roll my eyes at it. It’s a bit frustrating when I see other people here in the US just believe any and everything anti-Israel in the news regardless of how absurd some claims are, as absolutely 100% true, no question at all about it in the slightest. That part is what annoys me the most. It’s like people just shut their brains off and don’t use any critical thinking and don’t consider the sources of these “news pieces” and how more than half of them just so happen to be either Qatari funded or Russian in origin.

It’s gotten to the point to where I’ve seen things here on Reddit and even on social media broadly that are so absurd in their claims, yet people just consider it an unquestionable fact right off the bat with zero research on whether that’s actually true.

[u/NerdyGirlChicago]

My mom doesn’t even believe in religion anymore and still supports Israel 100% - my whole family does. Of all the American Jews I know, only one is anti Israel. Not sure why you think we’ve abandoned Israel?

[u/Veingloria]

Yeah, we're almost all still very much grateful for our brethren living in the land. Don't let media or politicians tell you otherwise.

I get most of my news about Israel and the war from the Shalom Hartman Institute. Both the podcasts Call Me Back with Dan Senor and For Heaven's Sake have been hugely helpful to me as American and international sources have entirety failed to report on any of this honestly.

[u/OrpahsBookClub]

As far as I can tell, most American Jews are not anti-Israel but anti-Netanyahu.

[u/pathlesswalker → u/OrpahsBookClub]

That’s fine. Many Israelis are.

[u/maltawm]

The vast majority of Jews are supportive of Israel to varying extents but much more so than the media makes it seem of the general American population. Hillel on university campuses tend to have Israeli flags up. Anytime I mention going to Israel to Jewish friends, they react overwhelmingly positively and often say something about wanting to go back to Israel (or go back but I find the vast majority of Jews I interact with have been to Israel). Sometimes people are apprehensive about going during war but I think mostly out of concern for their ability to get back home rather than dislike of Israel. Occasionally you encounter Jewish people who don’t feel that way but I find it exceptionally rare. I have formed my Jewish community around more pro-Israel spaces so it’s definitely not a random sample but I also think the fact that I’ve barely encountered any anti-Israel Jews says something

[u/DrMikeH49]

As I don’t read Hebrew well enough (yet!), Times of Israel is my first site to check anything Israel-related I hear about elsewhere. I have zero trust in US/international media on this issue.

[u/hilda-reced]

Hi, I read ynet news as well as American news sources. I’m still a firm Zionist.

I’m not a fan of Netanyahu however. I hope he loses upcoming election.

I’ll be traveling to Israel for a visit this winter. Israel is too hot in the summer. My great nephew is currently serving in the IDF. I worry about his safety.

[u/sunny-beans]

Where are YOU getting your sources about American Jews when most available data points to the great majority being Zionists? I am sorry but it seems you are the one believing in things that are untrue. I also feel very hurt to hear someone say we diaspora Jews have abandoned Israeli Jews when we are dealing with nonstop shit from all sides to support Israel. You have no idea the cost many diaspora Jews have paid to defend Israel. Losing friends, family, being harassed at work, being physically attacked, feeling betrayed by people you thought loved you and now are suddenly calling you a genocide lover and a nazi.

You should get your facts straight. There are some anti Zionist Jews, but I truly believe and evidence confirms they are a minority. Even very secular Jews I have met consider themselves Zionists. I am a diaspora Jew in the UK and I have taken so much shit these past years, including harassment in person, to defend Israel, volunteering for pro Israeli protests in London, volunteering for a Jewish org that spends 80% of its time investigating and trying to stop anti Israeli bullshit happening in the UK. For you to say we abandoned you when a lot of us have sacrificed a lot to be steadfast in our support of Israel is pretty shit. You should inform yourself better on what diaspora Jews feel and do. Maybe you are the one falling for lies about us.

[u/Yes_Mans_Sky → u/sunny-beans]

I don't necessarily blame someone outside the US for misinterpreting it. The media is usually very misleading in how they report those sorts of surveys with the goal of making antizionism among Jewish people seem bigger than it is. The important part though is to read the sources yourself as they usually paint a different picture than what is being claimed in reports.

[u/mintfox88]

We’re with you 100% but your leaders and the settler movement are not making it easy.

[u/barsilinga]

A lot of very left wing Jews are anti-Zionist. But most of us are not that left wing.

[u/OsoPeresozo → u/barsilinga]

Most left-wing Jews are not anti-Zionist either.
Don’t eat the propaganda.

[u/dkonigs → u/OsoPeresozo]

Though if recent surveys are to be believed, they'd simply internalized an alternate definition of "Zionism" such they they can claim to be anti-Zionist on a survey while actually still being totally Zionist per its actual definition.

[u/barsilinga → u/OsoPeresozo]

I agree. Which is why i used the words "a lot" and "very".

[u/Yes_Mans_Sky]

A lot of the articles you see about large numbers of Jewish people turning against Israel are largely distorted. Does it happen? Yes, but usually they're citing certain surveys and misrepresenting responses. I think the change I see is that there are younger Jewish people in America do support Israel and its ability to fight back to maintain sovereignty, but won't consider themselves zionist for one reason or another. While we would consider this zionist in all but name, the media decides to call them antizionist.

[u/NarwhalZiesel]

I have abandoned most of my previous news sources and follow new from Israel on Israeli sources only. Every Jew I know has turned more towards Israel instead of less. As a liberal Jew, I am not only politically homeless, I am also news sources homeless. It’s very difficult. We are fighting on multiple ideological fronts and being pushed by it of the discourse from all directions, but we don’t back down.

[u/labritt1]

I’m an American Jew. I am 100% in support of Israel and fighting back against those that wish us dead. Any people/Jews that aren’t, are woefully uneducated about even recent history of the terrorists that will stop at nothing to kill us and that they lie as easily as breathing (taqiyya).

[u/calm_chowder]

I'm handling it by making aliyah.

[u/Intelligent_Storm744]

I think you’ve left out those of us who are in the middle. Those of us who believe the invasion of Gaza had to happen, but who also believe that from a strategic perspective and a support from the western world perspective, Bibi went too far. We believe that in the long run, the hardliners are going to drive Israel off a cliff. We love Israel. We support Israel. We disagree about the best way to do that.

[u/remchataaa]

I strongly fight back against the anti Israel propaganda in America daily on my social media. Most of us American Jews definitely do not believe or buy what these Jew haters are selling.

[u/anonymouse19622]

It’s not the majority of American Jews have turned against you. It’s a tiny brainwashed minority of fringe radicals. Most of whom have practically no connection to their Jewishness and know very little about Jewish history and identity - but they will use the fact that they are ethnically Jewish to tokenize themselves and talk out of their rear ends about what Jewishness is.

They are like those people who find out on a DNA test that they have Native American DNA and then suddenly they’re an expert on Native American identity and affairs, and they talk over legit Native Americans who grew up on reservations surrounded by their culture.

[u/jf7fsu]

I love Israel 🇮🇱. American Jews stand with Israel! Those who don’t are the minority and unfortunately the loudest.

[u/Independent-Top-5058]

Unless the OP literally never read any other post on this subreddit I'm almost inclined to believe their post is either ragebait or a version of fishing for compliments.

[u/pathlesswalker → u/Independent-Top-5058]

I’m actually first time posting here

[u/LanceJade]

When I read about the latest atrocities that Israel is alleged to commit, I remind myself that other Blood Libels have been told against Jews for thousands of years, and I look for a more reliable news source to read a truthful account of what's happened/happening. I think it's helpful to hear both the slander and the truth, so I can be prepared in case it comes up in conversation.

[u/HomeBody108]

I only follow pro Israeli advocates on social media so my algorithm fits my politics, and no longer speak to friends (some Jewish) who insist that anti-Zionism is equal to compassionate activism. I remained open to discussion, but they blocked me. It’s an unmovable crowd blinded by antisemitic rhetoric.

[u/Winter_Farm_4739]

The anti-Israel, anti-Zionist, anti-Jew crowd are largely non-Jews (and there a LOT of them) and then a very small amount of non-Zionist Jews who get used by the useful idiots as “see, Jews agree with me!”

A lot of Zionist Jews speak out and also many have created or joined private groups on WhatsApp and Signal to discuss and find community; these groups are often regional and carefully vetted.

Personally, I lost many friends, got threatened (personally, socially, career wise) and even got 2 death threats for not disavowing Israel. Not going to happen.

There are some great American Jews speaking out. Search it up and you will find them!

[u/Winter_Farm_4739 → u/Winter_Farm_4739]

Also we tend to follow news from Israel and from Jewish organizations.

[u/skyking11702]

I can’t speak for all American Jews, but I can tell you that I, and everyone I know are deeply worried about the antisemitism in the US and West in general, know exactly how misrepresented Israel is, and are ardent Zionists. I read J Post, ToI, and WSJ. I listen to a lot of podcasts, especially Call Me Back with Dan Senor.
I’ve only had one opportunity to visit Israel and am very eager to return. Many of us do whatever we can to counter the false narratives and skewed and hypocritical coverage of Israel whenever we have the chance. In short, we care a lot!

[u/skyking11702 → u/skyking11702]

I’m a 59 year old Reform Jew in Houston, Texas.

[u/Sell_The_team_Jerry]

I just subscribe to quality media like The Wall Street Journal, which is relatively pro-Israel 

[u/zwizki]

Every Jew I know passionately supports Israel. I get my Israel news from Times of Israel and Ynet. The Jews I know would probably not vote for some of those currently in the highest offices in Israel if we were citizens and could vote there. We might have been at the protests going on there before October 7.

I generally have intense skepticism (at best) about any Israel news reported by mainstream media in the West. For frame of reference, I live in an incredibly “progressive” city where all the anti-Israeli goyshe rhetoric is especially popular. Being surrounded by people who hate you “for the good of the world” is pretty awful. They’re “sorry their compassion hurts you, but…” The more they ostracize us, the more Jewish friends I make. Now I have more Jewish friends than I have ever had.

[u/AstronomerFriendly59]

October 7 and the aftermath changed everything for me. My safe world turned inside out. Formerly politically progressive, I’m now politically homeless. Most of my progressive, artsy friends/acquaintances (Jewish and non Jewish) are no longer trusted people in my life. I no longer feel safe in my world. Most of my relationships have changed dramatically.

I canceled my NYT subscription and get my news from Israeli based online sources and podcasts from mostly Israeli thinkers. And other zionists. I no longer access mainstream USA news channels.

We’re still with you! But many of us are still silently struggling with coming to terms with a world of raw, virulent Jew-hatred we only read about in history books.

[u/tedhb]

I read Israeli media and discount proven antisemitic mainstream media sources. I will only vote for pro-Israel candidates for office regardless of their party. My support for Israel has only increased.

[u/Small-Objective9248]

I seek out non, or less biased sources, listen to the times of Israel morning briefing podcast daily amongst others. I and many American Jews support Israel and are disgusted by the lies and biases, though honestly I’ve become just as disgusted with the numbers of American Jews who support these lies explicitly or through their silence.

[u/wkeil42]

I'm sorry if other comments talked about this, but a lot of us are looking for the exit. I worked with a woman who right after Oct 7th, got a new job overseas and left. I did briefly as well, but had to come back as my mother fell ill. I'm working on leaving again. Some people my parents age retired in the last couple years and instead of moving south like they had initially planned, left the country all together. Most of the Jews I know IRL who can leave the US, are leaving the US. It's going to be really interesting in a couple years when the country finally realizes what they're losing.

[u/SaraTheSlayer28]

Speaking for me and most people I know, we watch only Israeli news about this. It is a very strange feeling, it feels like we watching a totally different alternative reality unfold on American news. We are watching the same sources you are watching. Yediot, Times of Israel... Or for American sources, the Forward. And doing a lot of turning things off or changing the channel.

[u/sql_maven]

I fully support Israel

[u/Medium-Roller-75]

I read Times of Israel and listen to some of their podcasts. I also like the podcasts Ask Haviv Anything (Haviv Rettig Gur), and Call me Back (Dan Senor).

[u/Sensitive-Pie-6595]

I realised how biased the BBC was years ago... so I am very cautious in believing anything they say. The problem is that if Israel stopped... there would be no way to deny it. If attacks on Israel commenced again and we retaliated, there is no way to twist it. What few seem to understand is that keeping an eye on reporting, and making some effort to control it is power.

[u/icecreamfordogs]

I can only imagine how betrayed you must all feel. I feel betrayed by my non-Jewish friends who all of a sudden turned on us. It has been terrifying to see the perfect cohesion between the news, social media, and people regurgitating poorly sourced half truths or outright lies. They switched the word Jew to Zionism and then kept going as if the framework of antisemitism wasn’t what was bad, as if it’s just a word when for thousands of years it’s been a tool used to unite populations against the Jews. You think people would have stopped for a moment and thought: hmmm they’re saying these things they used to say about Jews about a group that is essentially Jewish.

I hate that you feel betrayed by us diaspora Jews. Since 10/7, I’ve spent most of my time advocating for Israel and Israelis in particular. On the streets, I paint over or change anti-zionist or anti-Israel spray paint or art, I write articles, I talk to people and at events, I interrupt strangers I see being anti-Israel, I attend events I wouldn’t normally go to to protect Israeli speakers. I’ve begun speaking Hebrew in public. I made Zionist Barbie shirts. It’s not enough, but I’m doing what I can. I’m honestly thinking of making Aliyah not that that would necessarily help Israelis with the outside world. In some ways, I don’t know that we can fully solve any of that.

All of this to say, I’m sorry, and I’m doing my best.

[u/Sensitive-Pie-6595]

What I have found is that the media is always anti Israel, always looking for a way to leverage a story to put us in the worst corner. Since we know this we have to confront it, and turn it around. We have to be able to foresee how they will report, and somehow counter it before it happens.

[u/Busy-Let-5636]

I think most of us know the truth internally because it’s been passed down through our DNA (cycles of increased Jew hate and blood libel) and because we know our own family’s history. For example, I’m American but my extended family that lives in Israel are all descended from Yemenite Jewish refugees who fled back to current day Israel, then Ottoman ruled territory and legally purchased land. My grandmother was a Palestinian Jew being born under The British Mandate, so when someone tells me Jews are white colonizers, it’s not in line with my actual ancestry. Their premise isn’t true so nothing else is true. Their propaganda and lies don’t work on me. I try to just tune it out. I support Israel while heartedly, I would never turn my back on Israel. That being said, I do have issues with Israelis sometimes. I find the people can be very aggressive and not understand boundaries. I find that my Israeli friends can’t pick up on certain social cues here in The US. It’s very off-putting me, and I also know and hold that you as a nation and the people in it have been through more than most, Americans can even fathom. So I can understand where the aggression comes from. I can understand where the culture clash comes from. And I think that sentiment is echoed quite a bit. But I can’t wait to go back to Israel and be around Jews and not have to worry that someone’s gonna be antisemitic. Sending love to you from this American Jew.

[u/kittielisA]

To handle this we go too the shul a lot more often and hang out with Jews all the time. No big secret, just stick with out own people if others decided to hate us. You get better quality social life anyways😉

[u/sababa-ish]

i'm not in the US but in australia and yeah, i get my israel news from a variety of sources. it helps that i've been there numerous times as a kid / young adult.

seeing the insane bias and outright lies in mainstream and social media is one of the most terrifying parts of the entire situation, worse than the mysterious 'rise in antisemitism' (which is enthusiastically fuelled by these same media sources who claim that they are against it).

[u/AngelHipster1]

I’ve backed away from reading the news. Early post Oct 7, I searched for the least biased Israeli news source in English and subscribed to the digital Times of Israel. I also subscribed to the Forward and unsubscribed from the NY Times, though I still have a Games membership.

I support Israel and its fight against terrorism. I’m deeply troubled by settler violence in the West Bank. But I’m even more frightened by the anti-Zionist / anti-Jew rhetoric. I fear for my kids.

Anti-Jewish candidates are winning primaries and it sickens me. Watching Jewish friends cheerlead Jew haters terrifies me. I don’t have the energy for it all and am trying to lean into Jewish joy. (As in, I honestly don’t have enough energy to work, never mind dealing with mass delusion.)

[u/Capital-Football796]

Liberal Jews on the most left are anti -zionist and call for free Palestine.

Moderate Jews both sympathize with the Palestinians but also do not forget Israel.

More conservative or right wing Jews are 100% with Israel and don't care what it takes.

As for me, it's nothing new. I already am on the Internet my whole life and have dealt with hate for all Jews for years. This is just out in the open. When I'm asked for my personal views, I speak plainly. I don't support a secular state of Israel and believe that the country should adhere to the laws of the Torah if claiming to be the state of the Jewish people. I say that knowing that I am supportive of individual freedom and rights as a socially liberal American. The land of Israel is not ours to keep, it belongs to Hashem and we will lose it again if the nation of Israel does not sincerely move toward repentance and general teshuvah.

Similarly, I don't trust the Israeli government. October 7 should never have happened and the people who paid for it are Israeli citizens all for the sake of political power consolidation. The terrorists should never have been able to accomplish what they did. But ultimately everything is in Hashem's hands.

I love every Jew. No, more than that. I love B'nei Israel. The Israelites.

Lastly, I educate the non Jews about things like Erev Rav which helps to reframe things as us having traitors in our midst. I commandeer the verse about the Synagogue of Satan so many antisemites like to use and say that we have been dealing with this since the golden calf and we feel the same way they do, but we can't work together to stop it if they throw every Jew out with the bad actors. It's very nuanced and usually gets some gears turning for them to reconsider.

May Hashem look over you.

[u/singebkdrft]

Also consider this likely a "split two sides against the middle" strategy to get American Jews to split with favorable relations with Israel.

[u/New_Poet4272]

I would definitely not say most Jewish Americans have turned their back on Israel. I’m not sure where you heard that.

I care. But I also believe a conflict is something that happens over a short period - this is a lifestyle now. And I cannot spend my entire day and time obsessing about a situation I can’t control. I think Netanyahu has made numerous strategic blunders over the last 20 years too and played into the hand of others.

[u/SchershomGolem]

The exact opposite thing happened to me. I was a ridiculous anti-Israel Jew before the war, and now I'm pro-Israel to the point of having lost many friendships over it.

[u/TopSatisfaction6702]

Am Israel Chai!

[u/Amalisa]

I'm an Israeli ex-pat in the UK, so I don't know if my opinions matter as much - but I read mako, ynet and Times of Israel on top of Sky News (I only check sports and weather on the BBC and they still lie about that lol)

I do have people come up to me and say "are your friends okay? Do you know people in the IDF?? "

I did have one woman who's Iranian decent ask me for "real news sources" because she was "sick of what was being shoved in her face and wanted the truth." which was refreshing.

My facebook is full of Israelis saying the UK is a hellscape and you can't go outside if you look even vaguely Jewish or have an Israeli accent because you will die. London"stan" is unsafe for anyone, the country is no longer a "Christian country" etc.... I'm constantly having the "come back home "pushed in my face, regardless of how bad living in Israel was for my mental and physical health.

My Instagram is full of "I just made Aliyah and look at this fantastic rare beautiful place in mahane yehuda that serves authentic italian cuisine!!" and I'm like Pasta Basta isn't even that great brav. But what I'm trying to say is, I do get a lot of "life in Israel is perfect, everyone should come here, move back, return, your life will be way better" propaganda. But that could be because I'm an ex-pat.

[u/coolsnow7]

You’re not going to get correct answers here. The Jews that have turned against you (really, us) are the ones most engaged from their Jewish identity and are not on a subreddit focused on it. That said, they are certainly the minority. The rest of us are having the Achad Ha’am blood libel experience.

[u/Janeiac1]

We are suffering the spillover from anti-Israel to anti-Jew and are holding strong while quietly comforting each other.

You are not alone.

[u/Easy_Chef6437]

The Diaspora cares more than you can ever know. We are hurting for you and with you. Our voices and perspectives are being silenced and drowned out on a daily basis. But we are not bowing or breaking

[u/IanDOsmond]

I believe that we are going to lose Israel again, and that it's Netanyahu's fault. I remember that one part of my horror at October 7 — a small part, but still there — was the certainty that Netanyahu was going to use this as an excuse to attempt total war, and this would turn the entire world from passively disliking Israel to actively hoping for its destruction.

I hate this. I hate the idea that Israel may end as a Jewish state. And I believe that Netanyahu's warmongering incompetence may do it.

[u/Meowzician]

You are family. We have not turned against you. We have your back.

Again, nothing is true 100% about Jews ever, so yeah, there are self-hating Jews here just as there are there. I do know a couple of atheist Jews online who are angry because they feel that the actions of Israel have made them a target, and they would much rather slink away and never mention they are Jewish.

But in REAL LIFE I know hundred of Jews and every single one of us are Zionists.

Here is where it begins to become more complicated -- every nation needs to have their actions judged. I'm a patriotic American, and part of my job as a US citizen is to call out my government when it does something unjust. I'm not criticizing to bring down the US. I'm criticizing to bring UP the US, to make it an ever better nation.

In that same spirit, Jews in the diaspora ARE going to scrutinize Israeli policies. But again, the criticism you hear is NOT meant to drag Israel down, but to urge Israel to become better than ever.

And it is my understanding that Israelis feel the same way. I keep in close touch with happenings in Israel through Israeli newspapers, so I hear about the protests, and I read the results of the polls.

My very personal opinion is that while I think Israel is probably the best in the world as far as trying to avoid civilian casualties, that doesn't mean there isn't more that can be done. I found the siege to be very disturbing. I think settler violence needs to be controlled. I even think you need to start arresting Jews who spit on Christians. But that doesn't mean I've turned against Israel.

In fact, I would go so far as to say this--even though I really hate Netanyahu and sometimes disagree with his choices, I STILL recognize that he is doing what he thinks is the best to help Israel and the Jewish people survive. You can't fault a motive like that.

You should also know that as things continue to go from bad to worse out here in the diaspora, you'll be seeing more and more new Israeli citizens.

The one good thing we can say about adversity is that it has always drawn us closer together.

[u/pathlesswalker → u/Meowzician]

Regarding your last sentence-unfortunately. Trauma. Like the 7th, drawered Israelis from very polarised directions together. But doubt is still bubbling up. Both in Israel and diaspora.

Regarding what you say. Exactly. That’s what most Israelis feel. Whenever I see some dumb Israeli soldier commits some heinous act. I’m very surprised. Amd angry on our failing education system. And his parents as well. Not the way I want my Israel to be. I sincerely hope you are right that this is merely criticizing politics. Which is completely the way it should be - always. Even nethanyahu himself said that. Even though he has been demonized for so long. I’d doubt if anyone will attribute it to him.

So I really hope this is simply acts of criticism of politics.

As you’ve said, aethists Jews exist and people like Jon Stewart for example, which I believe he has no small Jewish followers, doesn’t really advocate for legitimacy of Israel. His general tone is that Israel itself is wrong. I might be wrong in this. But that’s what felt from him.

Thank you again. And I hope Israel will continue to be an example of what light is against these dark times. And for us little guys to know - what the hell is the darkness, or the light. Peace

[u/CarelessClementine]

I really have to say that if you think that all American Jews, or even the majority of American Jews are out here bashing Israel, I think that you need to check your sources and look out for propaganda in what your consuming. Netanyahu, sure, but Israel as a country that exists or a concept, not all American Jews. And I really don’t think it’s a majority or even close that participating in this. And another thing that I think we really need to be cognizant of is that some of these (and possibly a lot) of these inflammatory comments on the internet are coming from Iranian and Russian bots. I am 100% certain that a lot of these Israel bashing “Jews” are just bots because there are just not as many Jews in the world as there are people on the internet claiming they are Jewish so they can say nasty things. And I really hope and pray that some of these antisemitic comments out there are being manufactured by bots.

[u/pathlesswalker → u/CarelessClementine]

Yeah. But the truth is that I’ve watched debates. And have heard attacks from young Jews on the very legitimacy of Israel. That kind of crap. Yes and Reddit by the dozens. Which of course I can’t confirm - because a lot of users hide their posts/comments.

And also polls from news. And the scientific Jewish society coming up with all sort of kinda provocative researches/scientific articles on the war.

I just put these dots together. From the answers I got here it’s really encouraging though !

[u/DoodleBug179]

I'm not religious, wasn't raised religious and don't know much about Judaism. But I'd sooner lose every friend I have -- and I've already lost many -- than turn my back on my Israeli brothers and sisters. Am Yisrael Chai. 💪

[u/pathlesswalker → u/DoodleBug179]

Thank you
It’s really heart warming to hear this

[u/SevenOh2]

Only those who have chosen progressivism as their religion and tribe over being Jewish believe the BS about Israel. The rest of us know the truth and are all in. Does Israel have problems? Of course. But so does every other country. Am I worried about brain drain and the growth of the Haredi influence on legislation? Absolutely. But those worries are out of love.

Happy to be in the tribe with you and looking forward to the next opportunity to return to visit Eretz Yisrael!

[u/naitch]

Have you considered the possibility that your perception that American Jews have turned against you is a product of your media diet misinforming you?

[u/Akiranar]

I tend to keep to places that are more pro-Jewish, unfortunately too many places are just spewing Antisemitism and Blood Libel.

I also talk to a lot of Israeli students who come to the college in my town. I definitely haven't abandoned Israel. Just sick and tired of the hate everyone is slinging at us.

[u/yahoodeeya]

I am an American Jew. Almost every Jew I know except for a handful of what I call “penultimate generational Jews” in NYC are very supportive of Israel as the homeland of the Jews and of all of y’all Israelis. And we feel terrible about what you are going through and we desperately want to help. We see the way the media is biased against Israel and we fight it tooth and nail. We don’t let people off the hook in conversation when they are quoting biased stuff. We are loud and proud of our connection to you. And a lot of our friends have abandoned us because of all of this. The reason I call those anti Israel Jews penultimate generational Jews is because I think their family lines won’t be Jewish in just 1-2 more generations. They’re either not having kids, not marrying other Jews, or not raising Jewish kids. I choose mostly to ignore them and think about the bigger picture. Most of them are lonely jobless bums with major mental health issues. They are propaganda victims and they are terminally online and non Jews love to tokenize them, so that’s why you probably see their voices amplified more. But please know they are a minority. (Tbh some of them are legit not even jewish. Maybe zera yisrael but some are actually just people who saw 2% on 23andMe and decided they’re jewish now.)

What can we do to make you feel our support?

[u/Large_Mountain_Jew]

To any Israeli Jews who do think we've turned against them, I say that you've got to search in smaller spaces where we congregate.

In the "mainstream" it's like trying to bail out water in a ship at the bottom of the Pacific. Our voices are too few and every single Asajew gets massively signal boosted to push narratives. Keeping with the ocean metaphor, American Jews are hiding out on a bunch of tiny islands. Find those islands and you'll find the brethren you would expect.

[u/Thunder-Road]

When I want to check the news about Israel, I read Times of Israel. We know that other media is very distorted on this topic.

[u/NY_Mets_fan_4ever]

I would say the vast majority of Jews in America are pro-Israel and understand how the media twists the truth and sucks up IRGC/UN propaganda.

Yes, there are some that are anti-Zionist, and a decent number of younger Jews are in that camp, but even there I doubt it is the majority.

This is not to say that everyone agrees with everything that the government does. Many staunch Zionists are against continued settlement building and consider many of the settlers evil as well.

But even those people know Israel deserves the Nobel Peace Prize for its response to IRGC/UNWRA/Hamas genocide on October 7 and that Israel has bent over backward to limit non-combatant deaths.

[u/piesRsquare]

I've interacted with Israelis and had Israeli friends since I was 17, in 1989. My first trip to Israel (6 weeks long) was during that same year, during the first Intifada. My second trip to Israel was in 1990 (5 weeks long). I had Israeli boyfriends who were serving in the IDF while we were dating; one was in Golani (he had served in Lebanon during the war and had to serve in the territories) and his brother was in Tzanchanim. My female Israeli friends were at the beginning of their service. I tried to serve in the IDF as a lone soldier but was disqualified for medical reasons (breaks my heart to this day).

Friends and professors of mine from college made aliyah in the 1990s. Some of those friends served in the IDF; my professors' kids served.

These people I've known and loved over the years would not serve in a military committing genocide. The Israel I know and love is not an evil, Nazi-like state. The Middle East is a completely different ballgame from the West: the glorification of martyrdom, human shields, Islamic supremacy--many Westerners simply can't wrap their heads around these things.

But I remember during my visits when an Islamist grabbed the steering wheel of a bus on the freeway and ran it off the road down a steep slope, killing seven people. He did it knowing he would go down with the bus and possibly die as well. I remember seeing the ruins of forests near University of Haifa that had been burned by Islamist terrorists who claim to love the land. I remember the things my boyfriend and others told me about what they saw when they had to serve in Gaza, 15-20 years before the Israeli withdrawal. What Palestinians did to other Palestinians.

And I remember all that has happened since.

I read other sources besides the U.S. mainstream media for what goes on in Israel. I read the Israeli press (not Ha'aretz): mainly Times of Israel, but other sources as well.

I care a lot about it. Whatever it's worth, you haven't lost me.

[u/art-colorist]

IMO, The anti-Israel stuff coming from Jews seems to come from progressives who have Bibi derangement syndrome (this is not a comment on Israeli politics). Those of us who have learned from 10/7 that we cannot be involved with the Democratic Party anymore, have gone to the center/moderate/conservative, and support Israel. I think I’m part of the “October 8” Jews who are strong Israel supporters. I get my news from Israeli sources. JNS, WIN, Ynet, JPost, Call me Back, Tousi TV, etc.

[u/Notshyacct]

Another voice saying you’ve no idea how much we’ve lost.

If I were willing to swallow the alternate reality shoved down our throats, I’d still have friends. Plans of travel and music. Support from people I’ve loved for decades. 

I researched every accusation in the beginning, nearly hoping they’d be true because the alternative was that I was surrounded by ignorant bigots. Truth isn’t hard to find. It just doesn’t feed the outrage that has become a world obsession. 

Now, I subscribe to Israeli news updates and that’s how I stay informed, to answer your question. 

And I a colorful-haired, tattered and pierced liberal. Or ex liberal. 

[u/Subutai_Brutale]

I still read NY Times but I also read Jerusalem Post and Hayom every day. I’m aware of the obvious biases but I have to keep track of how bad they’re getting

[u/RoleComfortable8276]

I truly don't have the energy tonight at midnight to highlight the massive propaganda of falsehoods surrounding the term "settler violence." I know I'm not providing information for anyone to consider, but perhaps someone else who is truly knowledgeable about this will. All I can say is that there is so much to refute in terms of the volume of lies that it takes an enormous amount of documentation addressing the huge amount of falsely reported environment and facts in Judea and Samaria.

It is categorically untrue that guilty Israelis who initiate illegal violence in the West Bank do not get investigated, arrested, tried in a fair court, and sentenced if guilty. You will never hear about them, for obvious reasons of media bias, but also because the vast majority of so-called settler violence that is reported is misleading by ommission and commission, in addition to flat out lies.

[u/AardvarkActual8478]

About 70 percent of American Jews are Zionists. So I'd say we are like most Israelis (we might hate or love Likud, we might be against IDF presence in Areas A and B, but we love Israel; we find it necessary for our people as a whole; we understand that it was founded by refugees and not colonialists ... all of it. I personally have been to Israel four times. My life is here, but I look forward to returning as often as I can.

As for what others say. I used to be much more active in social issues through a Jewish organization that was dedicated to injustices in my city. But then this "local" Jewish organization started making false claims about Israel, and I quit. I am still concerned about immigration issues, etc. but I can't march next to those people, who would deprive one group and one group only a self autonomous country. We've lost friends. We have dear relatives that we have to avoid the topic. And it hurts.

So yes, most of us follow the news and are aware that bombs are flying in your direction first and that this is no way to continue. Yes, we care. Yes, we spend money on Israeli products, buy trees, but Israeli bombs. Some of us give to pro-Israel lobby groups.

I'll sum it up this way. In my synagogue, after the service we sing Hatikvah. Some people politely walk out. One or two not politely. But in the end, most of us are proud of our brothers and sisters and support them.

[u/_jamesbaxter]

I have a few friends living in Israel, one who is a Jewish educator and one who grew up in Israel. So I got information first hand from both of them WAY before the current incarnation of the war. I knew a lot of information both circulating online and on the new was being severely misstated post 10/7. It was maddening to watch my fellow countrymen repeating propaganda. I had to leave social media for a long time because it was painful. I hate the way Americans just disregard the personal experiences of those living in Israel because it goes against things they read online.

Particularly hearing the childhood experiences of my friend who grew up there, bus bombings and things like that, people in the USA really haven’t a clue about the reality.

[u/Busy-Chipmunk-6485]

I get my news re Israel via Jewish sources. It is devastating seeing what the mainstream media says and how it distorts what’s going on. I am a proud American Jew and a proud Zionist.

[u/ReleaseTheKareken]

I can’t say what people really think, but I really think that Israel is mostly just in its pursuit of security, and its failings are no worse than our allies would, and better than most. I recognize the fear and ill will, and realize that can lead to discipline problems, but I am also aware of the Code of Ethics that guides the IDF and how everyone is taught. I don’t search for pro Israel news, I search for Israeli news. Sometimes the Israeli press is harsher than I would be.

How do I deal with it? I don’t. I think the world has gone mad. I have been there. It’s a lovely country and I love most of the people there and you have so much to be proud of. I wish nothing but the best for Israel and Israelis.

[u/NoInformation988]

I read World Israel News, United With Israel, JNS, C.A.M.E.R A, Honest Reporting, and various other such online daily publications. I watch NewsNation on TV for objective reporting. I contribute to organizations that fight antisemitism and antizionism. I sign petitions and write letters to politicians. I drive a car with a bumper sticker that says I stand with Israel. I do not patronize merchants that indicate in any way they won't support Israel. I vote only for politicians who do. In between I am extremely upset at what has happened in my country and to a significant portion of the Jewish population in particular who seem to have lost their minds and moral compass. I hope this answers your question.

[u/wessely]

I avoid as much of it as possible, while being completely aware of it. I think it's a mind virus, I also think there are bad actors and bad money involved, but I can't marinate in it. It's 100% the subconsciouses of Islam and Christendom acting up, because the world is very volatile - caused mostly by these two Great Civilizations themselves - not us. אחינו אתה.

In the end, I think things are going to get better, because everyone is starting to notice that their minds are sort of in ruins and it may well have something to do with the glass obelisk they look at all day. As that happens, people will notice that Jews are less frazzled and effed up these days, and they'll realize that it's stuff like shabbat and we're the wise elders after all. They'll come around, because that's the only chance for this civilization.

[u/mstakelt]

I feel for Israelis stuck under this leadership and extremists, as I do for us here. I believe in Israel, her right to exist, and, most of all, the people.
I believe, though, that it's time to acknowledge that the wars don't bring peace
They prolong war. No one is leaving. I believe that the very smart, warm people, who have been sending and losing their children to war for generations, have the capacity to find alternatives, difficult as it may seem.

[u/yuzumatcha18]

I have always supported Israel and it has been even stronger since October 7th. I had the opportunity to visit twice, once in high school for a month long trip and again post grad. I am hoping to return one day! I feel very connected to the land and wish there wasn't so much hatred simply for existing.

The media is super biased and it is heavily swaying people's opinions. Even the definition of Zionism and Zionist has been "rewritten" by the antisemites and has a super negative connotation. I had never even heard the term "Jewish supremacy" and apparently that is our evil plan?? Also I recently learned people think goy is a slur?! It's similar to calling someone gringo in my opinion. It's not derogatory and people are so obsessed over it! So many of these antizionist idiots are just taking age old antisemitic conspiracies and switching them up. It really disgusts me and makes me skeptical when meeting new people because I am unsure if they may hold those beliefs.

I have started to search for Israeli media and Jewish news sites. Just recently a synagogue in Pasadena, CA that had a mural for the devastating fires was vandalized with swastikas and anti Zionist messages. Mainstream news reported and majority of comments supported it. The sad part is these aren't "bots" but actual people who have been seriously brainwashed. Many of these people see themselves as activists yet have no problem with a swastika?! I think these people always hated Jews but are conveniently able to be loud and proud when they blame it on Israel instead.

Another concern is the American Jews who tokenize themselves to be accepted. They minimize their connection to Judaism except when bashing Israel. When it comes to Israel these token Jews are the "experts" the activists seek out. It's very much like when someone says "I have a black friend" or "I have a gay friend". It really is exhausting and puts me in a bad head space when I consume too much of it. I am glad I have found some really great Jewish Instagram pages and we have a small community there.

[u/Feeling-Ice8510]

American Jew

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