Distraught and Distressed

Headlines about pro-Palestinian demonstrations around the world celebrating October 7. I cannot read beyond those headlines. I empathize with the suffering of the Palestinian people, and the tragedies confronting Gazans since October 7. But isolating their plight from context and separating it from the massacre conducted by Hamas on that day strips the picture of value. Anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism cannot be the mirror picture of pro-Palestinianism.

Just 15 days ago, I asked an acquaintance to speak and be recorded for a ceremony commemorating the events of October 7. I was asking on behalf of a small synagogue in the US. The acquaintance is a peace activist since losing his mother, a peace activist, murdered in her home at Kibbutz Be’eri on October 7. He declined. A friend, the niece of a hostage who returned home consented, as did another acquaintance who lost her son in battle on October 7, herself an ambassador for peace and reconciliation.

I respected the reason the first acquaintance chose not to participate. In describing (possibly misrepresenting) the congregation to whom he would be speaking, I explained that the congregation, though progressive, in deference to nuanced differences in members’ views chose to bring the community together honoring the pain and losses of Israelis only, rather than provoke. He would not participate in only addressing one side’s pain. Nevertheless, I suspect the other two Jewish Israelis recruited for the task alluded to the pain of the other side. Different activists and strategies coupled with time management and emotional resources. Legitimate to decline this speaking engagement.

A radio interview the other day reminded me of things we know, even if sometimes undermined, by me, in a desperate effort to insist Israelis remember there are uninvolved, innocent victims of Israeli attacks in Gaza. The interviewed resident of a moshav attacked on October 7, spoke of Gazans who worked for him for decades, and their amicable relations. But, he said, unforgivingly, they are not innocent, reminding me of common knowledge: Hamas had detailed maps of the kibbutzim, moshavim and towns they entered on October 7, maps of every road and every path, every home and chicken coop, every parking lot and every barn. Gazans working in these places accumulated the information for Hamas. As the interviewee conceded, whether by fear of Hamas or willingness to help, they did it. Accomplices. Even if they understood Hamas would use the maps for an attack, did they have any idea of the brutal massacre that would take place? Does it matter? Yet, the interviewee acknowledged we will have to find the way to live in peace with Palestinians living in Gaza.

In a television interview with former Prime Minister Olmert a few days ago, the interviewer asked about conceivable damages to Israel from Olmert’s efforts with Palestinian partners when they speak abroad about resolving the conflict. Olmert corrected the interviewer, who claimed the former Prime Minister has referred to Israel conducting a genocide. Olmert did not say Israel is conducting a genocide and does not think that is the case. If I were Olmert, I wouldn’t say that either. However, I am not. Yet, it caused me again to consider the terminology. Not every genocide is the Holocaust, Shoah. Israel has never officially recognized the Armenian Genocide. It doesn’t mean it wasn’t genocide. I qualify my use of the term. I wonder, would those of my friends and family disturbed that I dare to apply the word as I do, find it more palatable and concede to the fact that Israel has committed war crimes? Nuances and their purposes.

Our soldiers. I am deeply grateful that they protect our safety and defend us. Qualifying terminology doesn’t mean I don’t want our soldiers absolved from accusations of genocide. Military operations defending us are legitimate. But part of a bigger picture. Taut tensions between refusing to serve, to participate in acts serving the current evil government’s agenda and civil responsibility to serve. This war must end.

Today, the first day of Succot, October 7, 2025, two years of the same day. We went to Jerusalem to the succah of the families of the hostages. The daughter of a hostage, awaiting the return of her father’s body spoke. Another hostage’s family member spoke. Anticipating the deal on the table will be signed because Trump won’t have it any other way is not their comfort. When they hug their living loved ones or bury their deceased loved ones, they will be comforted.

I should get a better understanding of concerns that Palestinian citizens of Israel have about the implications of the end of the war for them. I remain appalled at every report of innocent fatalities in Gaza, and of settlers and soldiers harassing Palestinians in the West Bank. I fear terrorist cells in the West Bank could attack us in our home in Kfar Saba. If lessons were learned prevent that. Terrifying innocent, helpless Palestinians in the West Bank, under Israeli occupation is not the way.

Headlines about pro-Palestinian demonstrations around the world celebrating October 7. That expression of support for a Palestinian state is support for the annihilation of my people and the State of Israel. Distraught and distressed.

Harriet Gimpel, October 7, 2025