Precursor to Rosh Hashanah: American and Israeli Jews call Out Netanyahu
Former Deputy Head of Israel’s National Security Council, Eran Etzion, was unequivocal in his declaration, “Netanyahu no longer represents Israel.”
Former Deputy Head of Israel’s National Security Council, Eran Etzion, was unequivocal in his declaration, “Netanyahu no longer represents Israel.”
The concept that Palestinian Hamze Awawde has been putting forth regarding the previous eleven-plus months of destruction and despair is succinct:
“There is no violent solution.”
“Say it loud. Say it clear. Bibi is not welcome here.”
“They are running out of time. Netanyahu must resign.”
Khouri and Wilkinson advocate for a commitment to “deep listening,” stressing that engaging with stories from the other side will allow a shift from prioritizing internalized viewpoints to being open to new perspectives despite the angst it triggers.
With Jewish extremists trying to present Palestinian citizens of Israel as a fifth column, Standing Together is focusing on the de-escalation of those inflammatory messages, reframing the dialogue with their code words: “We’re in this together.”
People are struggling to process the rapidly unfolding events that have taken place since the Hamas attacks in Israel on October 7. There have been demonstrations and counter-demonstrations focusing on both the hostage-taking and...
Rabbi Jill Jacobs of T’ruah gave the final speech. An article in Haaretz recently profiled her as one of the new female leaders challenging the entrenched structure of the male Jewish legacy organizations. She told the demonstrators, “It’s important for me to be here. We’re dealing with a settler government. Occupation is destroying Judaism.” She referenced the Biblical metaphor: “A calf doesn’t have to be golden. It can be a state.”
As the soldier speaks to someone on a military phone, Amro says, “No. This is not true… Don’t lie. Don’t lie. Say the truth.”
Perhaps the top takeaway was Amro’s statement, “American Jews can make a difference.” He added, “I depend on your support. We all have a dream.”
The documentaries by these two filmmakers have the explicit goal of questioning the legacy histories put into play by the Israeli government and hasbara proponents. Following in the footsteps of the Israeli New Historians, directors Karnit Mandel and Assaf Banitt have endeavored to show the Israeli public the realities of “nation-building.”