As a liberal Jew, it is impossible to ignore the complexities surrounding Israel’s political leadership, particularly under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. His policies, actions and rhetoric have stirred widespread controversy, not only in the region but also globally. For many Jews worldwide, Netanyahu’s actions do not reflect the core values or the vision that Zionism once espoused. They have led to a rise in antisemitic conspiracy theories and anti-Jewish sentiment, as some conflate his decisions with Judaism as a whole.
The events of October 2023, marked by a devastating escalation in violence between Israel and Hamas, have thrust these issues into the global spotlight. As liberal Jews, we face the challenge of condemning Hamas’s brutal attacks while also criticising Netanyahu’s policies and actions that perpetuate the conflict. It is essential to recognise that one can oppose the violence of Hamas without endorsing Netanyahu’s government, and that not all Jews are represented by his leadership.
Netanyahu does not represent all Jews
One of the most dangerous misconceptions today is the idea that Netanyahu speaks for all Jewish people. This is simply not true. Judaism is not a monolithic religion, nor do Jews share a singular political ideology. Yet Netanyahu’s tenure as prime minister of Israel, characterised by hardline policies, particularly against Palestinians, has led some to erroneously conflate the Jewish faith with the Israeli government’s actions.
Netanyahu’s aggressive stance on settlement expansion, his resistance to peace talks and his disregard for Palestinian rights have alienated many Jews, especially those who value justice, compassion, and peaceful coexistence. Instead of working toward a sustainable peace, Netanyahu has entrenched Israel’s military occupation and worsened the plight of both Israelis and Palestinians, choosing political survival over lasting solutions.
Netanyahu’s treatment of his own people
Not only has Netanyahu’s leadership been damaging to Palestinians, but his treatment of Israelis who seek peace demonstrates his disregard for the diverse views within his own society. In recent years, many Israelis — Jews and Arabs alike — have taken to the streets to call for peace and an end to the occupation. These protests, which intensified following the October 2023 conflict, have been met with hostility from Netanyahu’s government.
Netanyahu has shown a troubling willingness to dismiss, belittle, or crack down on Israeli citizens who advocate for peace or criticise his policies. Protesters calling for an end to violence in Gaza have been met with accusations of disloyalty or undermining national security. Rather than listening to the voices of Israelis who seek an end to the bloodshed, Netanyahu has aligned himself with ultra-nationalist factions and leaders who support his hardline approach.
This treatment of peace advocates in Israel reveals Netanyahu’s prioritisation of his own political interests over the desires of many Israeli citizens. By framing peace protests as a threat to Israel’s security, he stifles open dialogue and alienates a significant portion of his own population who long for coexistence. He surrounds himself with those who blindly support his agenda, ignoring the broader diversity of thought within Israeli society.
Condemning Hamas without condoning Netanyahu
The horrific events of October 2023, when Hamas launched a series of brutal attacks against Israeli civilians, marked one of the darkest moments in the region’s recent history. Hundreds of innocent Israelis lost their lives, sparking an aggressive Israeli response that led to massive destruction in Gaza. It is essential to condemn these attacks in the strongest possible terms — targeting civilians and using violence as a political tool is never justifiable.
However, condemning Hamas does not mean condoning Netanyahu’s policies or the broader actions of the Israeli government. There is a distinction between defending Israel’s right to exist and its citizens’ right to live in peace and safety, and supporting Netanyahu’s ongoing occupation, expansion of settlements, and disregard for Palestinian lives.
As liberal Jews, we must stand firm in our ability to hold multiple truths at once: we can mourn the loss of innocent Israeli lives while also advocating for Palestinian human rights. This delicate balance allows us to recognise that Hamas is not representative of all Palestinians, just as Netanyahu does not speak for all Jews.
Avoiding the conflation: not all Muslims are terrorists
One of the tragic consequences of the ongoing conflict is the way it has fuelled Islamophobia. Just as not all Jews support Netanyahu’s policies, not all Muslims are terrorists. However, the actions of Hamas and Hezbollah have contributed to the false perception that Islam is inherently linked to terrorism, just as antisemitic conspiracy theories attempt to tie all Jews to the Israeli government.
It is vital to remember that many Muslims around the world, like many Jews, long for peace. They, too, are victims of the violence and political failures that have kept this conflict alive. In the same way that we work to dismantle antisemitic stereotypes, we must also be vigilant in rejecting Islamophobia and refusing to conflate the actions of extremists with the beliefs of over a billion Muslims – including those in Gaza.
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