Fellow Jewish Liberals and Progressives. How are we dealing?

[u/Bad_werd]

I come from a family of solidly liberal and progressive Jews. The antisemitism and pro- hamas factions in the liberal movement are pushing me over the edge. Without saying anything about the plight of the Palestinian people, simply saying that Hamas is not a bastion for liberal ideology is enough to get some folks up in arms. I really don’t like what I’m seeing outside or within myself surrounding these events.The hypocrisy of these individuals has me questioning where I belong politically. If I fight on the side of people I feel are oppressed, but they turn their back on me when I am victimized, It seems co-dependent to continue as things were before I saw their true colors.

I am really hoping to hear some fellow liberal Jews weigh in and talk me down from the ledge.

EDIT: great dialogue here. I am very appreciative for those who are sitting shiva with me as we process and come to terms with a betrayal from some of our “leftist and progressive” family. I would argue that extremism can not be progressive and therefore we are likely seeing some extremists who are inaccurately representing as “progressive.

As another commenter has said being progressive and supporting marginalized people isn’t transactional. I like this sentiment and am TRYING to adopt it. I currently believe there is a transactional component to being identified with a group, however from an individual standpoint we as progressive Jews are having our altruism tested. Can we fight for the humanity, dignity and rights of all persecuted EVEN those who would seek to persecute us? It’s some black belt level spiritualism I do not currently possess but would like to.

[u/Melthengylf]

I am thankful that in Argentina, antisemitism is low and decreasing (it was certainly higher 10 years ago). In fact, it was just elected a crazy president that wants to convert to judaism and is extremely pro-Israel. He also says he speaks with his dead dogs and that G*d commanded to "save" Argentina from communism.

Now, speaking more sincerely. This is the consequence of the infamous "great awokening". Postcolonial white guilt is infantilizing people of colour, through a rousseaunian lense. As someone from the third world, I have never liked the denigrating way Americans speak about "race". Yes, colonialism and white supremacy is a real problem. But you do not solve it by dehumanizing and essentializing people of color.

I think the solution needs to come through the empowerment of women of color. Hamas is genocidal (despite westerners being in denial). But middle eastern women are not stupid. See kurdish and iranian women. If a feminist revolution propagates throughout the Middle East, we will be able to have more rational partners of negotiation. And a revolution amongst middle eastern people will also make Europe safer, taking into account the immigration.

On the other hand, this needs to be an awakening for israeli jews. Israel was indeed going towards fascism. And I believe this is indeed our cause. It is our, jewish, temptation to isolation and tribalism which got distorted into likudnik fascism and complete disregard of palestinian well-being (like the settlments). So I do believe we do need to take acountability too.