That tension at the heart of the American Jewish community has only been heightened by the Trump Administration, who most American Jews do not support despite Trump’s extreme support of Israel. In just two years, Trump moved the embassy to Jerusalem, withdrew all aid from the Palestinians, and scuttled the Iran deal.
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But these efforts have only frustrated American Jews further, empowering Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to further sideline the Diaspora community’s concern for civil rights and religious pluralism.
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This tension between Israel and the American Jewish community has American Jews reevaluating not only their relationship with Israel, but their very identity as a community.
This has never been more true than after the massacre in Pittsburgh. The American Jewish community is still reeling from events of October 27, when Robert Bowers walked into the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, taking 11 lives as well as the feeling of safety that many Jews felt was part of their American birthright.
It was a stark reminder that at least to the murderous white nationalists in this country, we are still a minority.
More stark of a reminder was the love and support that came flowing out of other minority communities in America, especially the Muslim and black communities.
Black churches across the country held vigils and stood in prayer with us. So did Muslim communities, who also raised over $200,000 for burials for the victims.
| | Charleston Black Church Mourns Jews Killed In Pittsburgh SynagogueParishoners at the historic black Emanuel church in Charleston, South Carolina, on Sunday grieved this weekend’s... |
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Less supportive was Israel. From Israeli Ambassador Ron Dermer’s disastrous interview repeating Trump’s “both sides” phrase, to Naftali Bennett’s appalling statement that he’s “not sure there’s a surge of anti-Semitism in the United States,” to Israeli opposition leader Avi Gabbay’s outrageous suggestion that the shooting should encourage American Jews to move to Israel, Israel’s representatives shocked, appalled, and angered American Jews grieving for their loss.
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| | Israel Opposition Chief Says Pittsburgh Shooting Should Teach Jews To Ma...Gabbay called “upon the Jews of the United States to immigrate more and more to Israel, because this is their ho... |
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