‘Not in my name’: The Jewish diaspora fighting the consensus on Israel
Longstanding tensions between the US’s progressive Jewish diaspora and the Israeli government came into focus this month, when Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and other far-right Israeli l…
Longstanding tensions between the US’s progressive Jewish diaspora and the Israeli government came into focus this month, when Israel’s Finance Minist
Read Full Story at Al Jazeera →Why This Matters
The rift between progressive Jewish Americans and Israel’s far-right government is not merely a diplomatic friction—it reflects a fundamental clash over the soul of Zionism itself. As the Israeli far-right increasingly weaponizes Jewish identity to justify expansionist policies, diaspora Jews are asserting that their moral objections do not betray their heritage but redefine it in an era of global accountability.
Background Context
For decades, the American Jewish establishment has maintained a delicate balance between unwavering support for Israel and progressive critiques of its occupation policies. However, the rise of figures like Bezalel Smotrich—who has openly rejected Palestinian statehood and praised Jewish terrorism—has forced a reckoning, particularly among younger, more politically engaged Jews who see their values of justice and equality at odds with Israel’s current trajectory.
What Happens Next
The growing mobilization of diaspora Jews could pressure the U.S. to adopt a more assertive stance on Israel’s far-right policies, potentially reshaping the parameters of the debate in Washington. Meanwhile, the Israeli government’s refusal to engage with these dissenting voices risks deepening the alienation of one of its most vocal and influential support bases.
Bigger Picture
This divide mirrors broader fractures in the Jewish world, where generational and ideological shifts are challenging long-held orthodoxies. As Israel’s policies drift further from liberal democratic norms, the diaspora’s pushback signals a potential turning point in how global Jewry reconciles its identity with the state’s actions.
