Call to American Jews: We Must Confront the Truth About Gaza
"When we say 'Never Again,' do we mean just for us?"
"When we say 'Never Again,' do we mean just for us?"
This haunting question, posed by a Holocaust survivor at a recent Jewish gathering, cuts to the heart of our moral obligation today.
As a rabbi and physician, I am compelled to confront the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza, particularly on this day of profound symbolism in American history.
As we mark Martin Luther King Jr. Day and witness another presidential inauguration, we must remember Dr. King's warning that "injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."
Israel and Hamas officially began a long anticipated ceasefire on January 19, potentially offering Gaza’s civilians their first break from airstrikes and an overwhelming military assault in more than a year. This temporary ceasefire offers little consolation against the backdrop of unrelenting devastation.
According to the United Nations, Gaza's two million residents—half of them children—have endured a relentless destruction of hospitals, schools, and homes, following a 16-year blockade that had already severely restricted access to basic necessities.
The UN Deputy Secretary General has described the situation as "apocalyptic."
The Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, born from the ashes of the Holocaust itself, outlines what we are witnessing: systematic actions to destroy a group, coupled with demonstrated intent.
Israeli officials' statements, combined with military actions causing catastrophic civilian casualties, have led to proceedings before the International Court of Justice. U.S. military aid—$3.8 billion annually, plus at least an additional $20 billion in emergency appropriations since October 7, 2023—enables this devastation.
As American Jews, we cannot ignore that our country is financing the indiscriminate killing of Palestinian civilians and the razing of their homeland.
Our tradition speaks directly to this moment. The Torah commands, "Lo ta'amod al dam re'echa"(Leviticus 19:16). In English this means: do not stand idly by while your neighbor's blood is shed. The Torah makes no distinction based on the neighbor's identity.
In addition, the Jewish teaching of pikuach nefesh teaches that preserving life supersedes virtually all other religious obligations.
When we declare that every human is created b'tzelem Elohim (in God's image), we accept an obligation to protect all human dignity.
On this day of transition in American leadership, we must remember that our democratic principles demand more than passive observance. Dr. King's legacy reminds us that moral leadership often requires standing against popular opinion. Abraham Joshua Heschel was a Polish-American theologian and philosopher who marched alongside Dr. King in Selma, Alabama. Rabbi Heschel’s commitment to civil rights demonstrated how Jewish values can and should compel us to act against injustice wherever we find it.
There is a personal cost to being Jewish and speaking out against Israel’s actions: strained family relationships, professional consequences, and accusations of betraying our community. I understand this all too well. Yet our prophetic tradition compels us to speak against injustice, even—perhaps especially—when it comes from within our own community.
Isaiah was a Hebrew prophet. His mandate to "seek justice, rescue the oppressed" (1:17) wasn't an exhortation to distant others but to his own people.
Our responsibility as American Jews extends beyond this crisis. As a new administration takes office, we must demand a permanent cease fire, demand the return of all Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, ensure vigilant military aid oversight, support humanitarian organizations helping the Palestinians in Gaza, and build coalitions with interfaith partners working for peaceful co-existence of two peoples on one beloved land.
Through our active democratic participation, we can influence policy and work toward a future where genuine security and dignity exist for all peoples of the region.
The confluence of MLK Day and Inauguration Day offers a powerful reminder that American values and Jewish ethics alike call us to active moral leadership. Rabbi Heschel taught us that "some are guilty, but all are responsible." The time for moral courage is now. Let history record that when it mattered most, we chose to live our values—that "Never Again" truly means never again for anyone.
References:
B’Tselem. (2023). The Gaza Strip: Israel’s Perpetual Control.
Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (1948)
The Lancet Medical Journal (2024)
International Rescue Committee Reports (2024)
United Nations Expert Reports (2024)
International Court of Justice Proceedings (2024)
Ministry of Health Gaza Reports (2024)
Amnesty International. (2023). Israel/OPT: Unlawful Attacks in Gaza.
UN Office on Genocide Prevention. (2023). Genocide Convention: Definitions and Obligations.
UN OCHA. (2024). Annual Humanitarian Needs Overview for the Gaza Strip.
UNRWA. (2024). Palestinian Refugees in Gaza: Emergency Updates.
WHO. (2024). Emergency Situation Reports on Gaza.
Human Rights Watch. (2023). Israel/Palestine: Escalating War Crimes in Gaza.
U.S. Congressional Research Service. (2023). U.S. Foreign Aid to Israel.
Rabbi Dr. Paul Zeitz is author of “Revolutionary Optimism: 7 Steps for Living as a Love-Centered Activist” and member of Rabbis for Ceasefire.
Thank you for this!
Thank you for this, Paul 🙏🏽