“Terror-washing” or a Different Way?

The past two years have been brutal – beginning with the horrors of October 7, a day that will never be forgotten, and followed by a devastating urban war that may now be drawing to a close, thankfully with all the living hostages home (and I pray all those murdered very soon).

Yet what I’ve come to call “terror-washing” has not ended. It seems very much Business As Usual. The decision by Police authorities in the UK to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans is a glaring example, but only one of many.

We now stand at a fork in the road, with two possible directions – each with countless variations.

Path One: A Slow Turn Toward Peace

This is the path I hope for. While a true peace between Israel and the Palestinians is clearly distant due to many complex factors, we can still move toward regional stability. Expanding the Abraham Accords, rebuilding Gaza, and gradually reducing hostility and hyper-focus on Israel could help pave the way. It’s a long road, but one I would hope for starting with key regional relationships.

Path Two: Continued Isolation and “Terror-washing”

Sadly, this seems to be the more likely path. Movements and institutions – such as the ICC, South Africa’s legal actions, FIFA, UEFA, Eurovision, and the broader BDS campaign – continue to push a narrative of “genocide” that, in my opinion, is not only deeply misleading but simply insulting. The accusation that Israel has intent to commit genocide ignores the fundamental reality: Israel was the one attacked in a completely Genocidal way (intent was written on the faces of the terrorists). These efforts, often supported by fringe elements with broader agendas, aim to delegitimize Israel and criminalize its leaders and soldiers. Many global leaders offer little resistance to this trend.

This path assumes that the goal is not coexistence, but erasure – echoing slogans like “From the River to the Sea,” which is a clear message of a future without Israel.

A Personal Reflection

I lost my naivety on October 7, seeing the faces of those who committed unspeakable acts – and the disturbing celebrations that followed. But I also know that many people – Muslims, Arabs, Palestinians, Christians, and those of other or no faith – want a different future for their children, just as I do. Following a recent article on this platform (https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/my-message-to-my-arab-neighbours/), I am in a deep and confidential conversation with an American of Palestinian origin and I genuinely believe we have very similar values and views – but my naivety/caution/shock makes me believe this may sadly be an outlier – for now anyway.

Part of our shared concern is that so much of the conflict has been fueled externally – billions in tunnel infrastructure funded for Hamas, Iranian support for Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis, and the regime’s nuclear ambitions. Add to that the relentless mob targeting, PR campaigns, boycotts, and legal actions targeting Israel and Jewish communities globally. The recent decision regarding Maccabi Tel Aviv is just one example.

I fear that many activists, institutions, and influencers will continue down the second path. And I understand why some here believe the first path is unrealistic but I still hold hope: that at least the Abraham Accords can grow, that Israel can rejoin the international community, that antisemitism will decline, and that global attention can return to other pressing issues.

Sadly and due mainly to these very highly incentivized global voices (Jews make News), we must remain hyper vigilant – but also have a place for some slow hope. The voices of reason must rise, both in the Middle East and around the world.

I was reminded that when Abraham died at 175, Issac and Ishmael reconciled in honor of their father – who knows what can happen, but it took a long long time.

So I ask: Is “terror-washing” the future we are going to have? Or can we choose a different way?