The Metro: The war in Gaza’s impact on the American Jewish community

As the death toll in Gaza continues to rise — with more than 30,000 Palestinians killed since the start of the war precipitated by Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack — many members of the American Jewish community are concerned that Israel’s extreme military response could destroy any hope for future peace.

Peter Beinart, editor-at-large of Jewish Currents and author of the “Beinart Notebook” Substack, joined The Metro on Friday to discuss how the war is impacting Jews in America. He says there are many within the community who feel that Israel would be a safer place for Jewish people if Palestinians are also safe.

“There are two populations that live there,” Beinart said. “It will be a safer place for Jews to call home if Palestinians can also have the basic rights and dignity that allows them to feel at home there as well.”

Still, there are many others in the Jewish community who fear that the state of Israel is not safe as long as Hamas remains in control of Gaza, and would support a ceasefire only after the remaining Israeli hostages are released from captivity.

Beinart says there is a largely generational split within the community, with older Jews more likely to support Israel’s deadly campaign to eradicate Hamas while younger people are more likely to be critical of its extreme right-wing leadership.  

“If you look at the protests all around the country calling for a ceasefire, many of them are being organized with American Jews at the forefront, mostly younger American Jews, who for them, their conception of Jewishness leads them to be much more pro Palestinian.”

Beinart says he grew up in a Zionist family, but his views began changing when he spent time in the West Bank. 

“I still feel a very strong connection to Israelis and Israeli society, but at a certain point in my life, as a young adult, I went and spent time in the West Bank with Palestinians,” he said. “And it was a really transformative experience.”

Use the media player above to hear the full interview Peter Beinart, editor-at-large of Jewish Currents.

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