7, in the minds of many, is qualitatively different. 7, therefore, is not just a continuation of a long-standing conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. 7 was the largest single-day killing of Jews since the Holocaust. What are the emotions behind this reaction?įor many Jews, the specific nature of Hamas’ attack – the mass slaughter and the way in which Hamas gunmen went systematically from house to house murdering families, and, in some cases, brutally butchering people – evokes deep, traumatic memories of the Holocaust. Supporters of Israel demonstrate at a ‘Stand with Israel’ rally in New York City on Oct. There’s been a massive spike in antisemitic incidents in the United States and in many countries since Oct. Any attempt to contextualize it is seen as somehow rationalizing or minimizing Hamas’ attack, or a failure to recognize that Hamas is not simply seeking a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza, but the destruction of Israel.Īnd, on top of all this, Jews are becoming increasingly worried and fearful about being harassed or violently attacked by people blaming them for Israel’s actions, or just taking out their anger on them. Most want to hear an unequivocal condemnation of what Hamas did. Jews are often looking for what people have to say about the massacres of Israeli civilians.

7, and they are much more concerned about the war that Israel is now waging against Hamas and the devastating impact it is having on Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. and around the world, have already moved on from Oct. Many Jews are still grieving, shocked and traumatized by what happened on Oct. Many Jews have friends and family in Israel, so it’s very personal for them. My own Facebook feed is pretty much just pictures of Israelis who have been killed or are currently held captive in Gaza. Many people who aren’t Jewish are responding as if what’s been taking place is just another episode of Israeli-Palestinian violence.īut it’s different for many Jews. What are Jewish people feeling and experiencing right now? People attend an Israel Solidarity Rally at the Holocaust Memorial in Miami Beach, Fla., on Oct.

Intergenerational trauma palestine