How Jewish Americans Are Turning On Israel - w/. Simone Zimmerman

Summary

In this conversation, Simone Z, co-founder of If Not Now, discusses the shifting attitudes of Jewish Americans towards Israel and its actions, particularly in relation to the conflict in Gaza. The discussion highlights a poll showing significant support among Jewish Americans for withholding US military aid to Israel and a growing belief in Israel's potential genocide against Palestinians. Simone emphasizes the importance of recognizing the diversity of Jewish American opinions and the need to challenge the narrative that US support for Israel is based on ensuring Jewish safety, arguing that this stance is both outdated and harmful to Jewish communities.

Takeaways

• 📊 A poll by the Jerusalem Center for public affairs indicates that a majority of Jewish Americans support President Biden's decision to withhold arms shipments to Israel if it invades Gaza, with 52.5% agreeing or strongly agreeing.
• 🏭 Approximately 30% of Jewish Americans and nearly 40% of younger Jewish Americans believe Israel is committing genocide, reflecting a shift in perspectives, especially among the youth.
• 🌐 The conversation highlights a generational divide within the Jewish American community, with younger generations showing a stronger inclination towards social justice and a critical view of Israel's actions.
• 🤝 Simone Z, co-founder of If Not Now, emphasizes the importance of solidarity among all communities facing hatred and racism, including the need to address anti-Palestinian racism and violence.
• 💭 The discussion points out the influence of special interest groups like AIPAC in U.S. politics, and how their actions can undermine democracy and contribute to the conflation of anti-Zionism with anti-Semitism.
• 🔍 The script underscores the need for accountability and transparency in organizations like the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), which has been criticized for conflating pro-Palestinian sentiment with anti-Semitism.
• 🌟 Simone Z's work with If Not Now and the film 'Israelism' is highlighted as a source of inspiration and a call to action for a more just and equitable approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
• 🗳️ The conversation critiques the use of Jewish safety as a justification for U.S. support of Israel's military actions, arguing that this narrative is not representative of the views of many Jewish Americans.
• 📉 There's a noted increase in hate crimes against Palestinian Americans, which is a concerning development that requires more attention and action to ensure the safety of all communities.
• 🌱 Despite the challenges, there is a sense of optimism in the discussion, with the belief that persistent activism and advocacy can lead to positive change.

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