The guns are quiet and the hostages are coming home. The question now: Will we seize this fragile chance to create the hope we’ve all been searching for?
Thank you Jeremy, for describing this moment clearly as a fork in the road.
“on this ‘day after,’ history is giving us one more chance, maybe a last chance, to choose hope over hate, courage over fear, and a commitment to the future rather than the past.”
In 2001, there was a chance like this in the US, after the 9-11 attacks. GW Bush made the wrong choice and the whole world is still suffering the consequences. Although it’s worth the effort to try for a future of peace and mutual benefit, angry humans are generally quicker to seek division and violence, ensuring that the ones who have the most power retain their edge over the weaker side. I hope JStreet and other peace-seeking organizations are able to help steer Israel through this difficult storm.
Just a few. A more systematic response from me will require a little more systematic thinking.
Even with the imminent return of the hostages; these are obviously dark and tough times...for Israel and its friends. And for Jews in general.
One can obviously criticize Israel as much as you want and make as many "Peace Plan" proposals as one wants. (People have been doing that for 75+ years!)
But bottom line there's really a central dividing line: Those who support or accept or defend Israel continued existence as a majority Jewish State, living in security.
And those who don't accept that and who support or advocate or work for the end of the State of Israel
Anyone on Social media for just two minutes can see that. The "No Israel;" The "From the River to the Sea" advocates. The deligitimization, denigration and advocacy of Israel's destruction. And of course the rabid antisemitism often couched as "Anti-Zionism" but the wording makes clear what is really meant.
So the "rubber hits the road" when the issue is not just calling for Palestinian rights or suggesting Israel adopt certain steps. But rather call to pressure and sanction Israel unless they act in a certain way.
I can't look into people's souls and know motivation. And I fully acknowledge none of can be certain of what is the best path for Israel to take. But I do think an awful lot of weight has to be paid to what the Government of Israel - whoever it is - is proposing or advocating. I might not agree with the wording of every post my former organization might make! But at least in that general Worldview I am in accord with them. The survival of the Jewish State is not one to be cavalier about.
As Americans; we all have multiple causes and beliefs - as do politicians, a certain number of who go beyond just "criticism" of Israel to something rather bleaker.
And while you may not be unhappy to see some of these attacks on - or rejection of - AIPAC; I think the implications are ones that supporters of Israel should not be happy with. Even "Progressive" supporters of Israel.
Michael - I'm not sure that I fully follow your thoughts here and look forward to your fleshing them out further.
Certainly as you know those in the J Street camp who want US pressure on Israel to change course and who publicly stand up against its actions when they cross legal, moral and strategically smart lines are doing so precisely because we want to assure a future for the state of Israel that has a Jewish nature, a fully democratic character and is secure against threats to physical security.
And - as you know - Israel can't be Jewish, democratic or secure - if it continues down a Netanyahu/Ben-Gvir/Smotrich path.
I think the question for the AIPAC world is whether over the coming decade the best way to be a friend of Israel is to sit back quietly if the country continues down this suicidal path or to stand up, speak out, lobby and engage to try to persuade Israelis and their friends that there is a better path?
I think the majority of Jewish Americans falls into a camp that cares about Israel but deeply disagrees with the right wing leadership. If we hope to keep a relationship between Israel and that majority then there has to be a space in that relationship for vocal criticism as there will always be a space in that relationship for those who believe that there should never be a public debate and split with the Israeli government.
We must define what the pressure should be. In my mind the only thing which seems realistic is pressure against settlement expansion and annexation. No one in their right mind would allow a Palestinian state in the WB right now. Including Yair Golan, who asks for civil separation for security control (direct quote). But we all know that won’t be enough to satisfy the anti Israel crowd.
I saw a report that Israel is readying treatment for its hostages' malnutrition and trauma. I wonder whether anyone will care about treating Gazans' malnutrition and trauma.
Quite to he contrary, the "day before" has arrived. The Apartheid state's days are numbered; and the Israelis may be on the last "Voyage Of The Damned."
As you wrote in your book: "Is this how I wanted to be treated when I was a minority in another people's country?" You were right then, and your words were prophetic.
Thank you Jeremy, for describing this moment clearly as a fork in the road.
“on this ‘day after,’ history is giving us one more chance, maybe a last chance, to choose hope over hate, courage over fear, and a commitment to the future rather than the past.”
In 2001, there was a chance like this in the US, after the 9-11 attacks. GW Bush made the wrong choice and the whole world is still suffering the consequences. Although it’s worth the effort to try for a future of peace and mutual benefit, angry humans are generally quicker to seek division and violence, ensuring that the ones who have the most power retain their edge over the weaker side. I hope JStreet and other peace-seeking organizations are able to help steer Israel through this difficult storm.
Thank you for your careful and thoughtful words, as always, Jeremy.
Outstanding
But do we just forget the war crimes and genocide that Israel has committed? We didn’t do that after World War II— we held the Nuremberg trials, etc.
Just a few. A more systematic response from me will require a little more systematic thinking.
Even with the imminent return of the hostages; these are obviously dark and tough times...for Israel and its friends. And for Jews in general.
One can obviously criticize Israel as much as you want and make as many "Peace Plan" proposals as one wants. (People have been doing that for 75+ years!)
But bottom line there's really a central dividing line: Those who support or accept or defend Israel continued existence as a majority Jewish State, living in security.
And those who don't accept that and who support or advocate or work for the end of the State of Israel
Anyone on Social media for just two minutes can see that. The "No Israel;" The "From the River to the Sea" advocates. The deligitimization, denigration and advocacy of Israel's destruction. And of course the rabid antisemitism often couched as "Anti-Zionism" but the wording makes clear what is really meant.
So the "rubber hits the road" when the issue is not just calling for Palestinian rights or suggesting Israel adopt certain steps. But rather call to pressure and sanction Israel unless they act in a certain way.
I can't look into people's souls and know motivation. And I fully acknowledge none of can be certain of what is the best path for Israel to take. But I do think an awful lot of weight has to be paid to what the Government of Israel - whoever it is - is proposing or advocating. I might not agree with the wording of every post my former organization might make! But at least in that general Worldview I am in accord with them. The survival of the Jewish State is not one to be cavalier about.
As Americans; we all have multiple causes and beliefs - as do politicians, a certain number of who go beyond just "criticism" of Israel to something rather bleaker.
And while you may not be unhappy to see some of these attacks on - or rejection of - AIPAC; I think the implications are ones that supporters of Israel should not be happy with. Even "Progressive" supporters of Israel.
Michael - I'm not sure that I fully follow your thoughts here and look forward to your fleshing them out further.
Certainly as you know those in the J Street camp who want US pressure on Israel to change course and who publicly stand up against its actions when they cross legal, moral and strategically smart lines are doing so precisely because we want to assure a future for the state of Israel that has a Jewish nature, a fully democratic character and is secure against threats to physical security.
And - as you know - Israel can't be Jewish, democratic or secure - if it continues down a Netanyahu/Ben-Gvir/Smotrich path.
I think the question for the AIPAC world is whether over the coming decade the best way to be a friend of Israel is to sit back quietly if the country continues down this suicidal path or to stand up, speak out, lobby and engage to try to persuade Israelis and their friends that there is a better path?
I think the majority of Jewish Americans falls into a camp that cares about Israel but deeply disagrees with the right wing leadership. If we hope to keep a relationship between Israel and that majority then there has to be a space in that relationship for vocal criticism as there will always be a space in that relationship for those who believe that there should never be a public debate and split with the Israeli government.
I look forward to your further thoughts.
We must define what the pressure should be. In my mind the only thing which seems realistic is pressure against settlement expansion and annexation. No one in their right mind would allow a Palestinian state in the WB right now. Including Yair Golan, who asks for civil separation for security control (direct quote). But we all know that won’t be enough to satisfy the anti Israel crowd.
This is my attempt to imagine the day after for Gaza, in line with the values J-Street and other liberal Zionist organizations: https://www.virtuouscityvision.com/p/the-virtuous-city-vision-a-national.
I would appreciate it if you took a quick skim. I'm just an amateur, but I stumbled onto a vision, just like we stumbled into this ceasefire.
Has Trump repudiated his idea of turning Gaza into a luxury resort? Link me to that.
I saw a report that Israel is readying treatment for its hostages' malnutrition and trauma. I wonder whether anyone will care about treating Gazans' malnutrition and trauma.
I’m no expert, but my understanding is that the UN has teams ready to deliver aid and provide assistance to set up medical care.
Certainly not Hamas, that’s for sure, as they started this conflict with the express intention of causing it.
I would feel much more hopeful if Netanyahu and Trump were not the key "leaders." Unfortunately that rouses a lot of pessimism in me.
Quite to he contrary, the "day before" has arrived. The Apartheid state's days are numbered; and the Israelis may be on the last "Voyage Of The Damned."
As you wrote in your book: "Is this how I wanted to be treated when I was a minority in another people's country?" You were right then, and your words were prophetic.
See https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2025/10/09/at-least-77-years-of-nonstop-butchery/ ("At Least 77 Years Of Nonstop Butchery") and https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2015/12/31/is-israel-doomed/ ("Is Israel Doomed?")