WHEN ISRAEL SHAMES MENovember 21, 2025
It pains me to write that an avowed Zionist and practicing Jew can be shamed by a nation he loves.
October 7, 2023 focused much of the world’s attention on Hamas’ horrific attack on Israel. The brutality of that day, which claimed 1,200 lives, had nothing to do with finding a political settlement establishing two states. Here, let me be clear: If Hamas disappeared tomorrow, I would be jubilant.
Regarding the tens of thousands of civilians in Gaza who were killed, more injured, and the vast destruction, I’m saddened. And disappointed. Regrettably, Hamas’ use of tunnels and placing operations centers and weapons in schools, hospitals, mosques and apartments led to much of that destruction. Hamas sought death and destruction in Gaza to achieve two goals.
One: Elicit global sympathy. They succeeded, unleashing a predictable wave of both anti-Israel feeling and antisemitism. On October 8, while Israel was fighting off the marauders, groups sympathetic to Hamas absurdly blamed Israel for the attack.
Two: Bring Iran’s proxies—Hezbollah in Lebanon, forces in Syria and Yemen’s Houthis—into the fight along with Iran itself. This, thankfully, proved to be a dismal failure.
Did I approve of Israel’s—specifically, prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s—conducting the war with no specific endgame, no way to declare victory, no exit plan? I did not. Neither did many Israeli generals and security chiefs. But as Hamas and Iran sowed, so did they—and the people of Gaza—reap.
How then does Israel shame me? Netanyahu continues to oppose a two-state solution. And, propped up by the far right, he continues to allow violent settlers in the West Bank to violate Israeli law and common decency. Common decency, including concern for all human beings, lies at the heart of Torah.
The New York Times reported on November 13, “Since the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel led by the Palestinian militant group Hamas, there has been a drastic surge in settler violence as well as an Israeli crackdown on Palestinian militants in the West Bank. The growing turmoil has displaced tens of thousands of West Bank Palestinians.”
Crackdown on militants? Fine. But not attacks by groups like the Hilltop Youth on Palestinian villages and olive orchards. These have nothing to do with Israel’s security and everything to do with the far-right delusion of a Greater Israel from the Mediterranean to the Jordan. I’m shamed when IDF troops, under government/political pressure, stand back. And, stepping in, they face violence by the Israeli perpetrators.
In a November 18 Times opinion article, Tom Friedman wrote, “… the Jewish people and Israel have a radical Jewish settler problem that they refuse to confront.” Friedman’s theme? Moral cowardice. It takes courage to call out wrongs done by your own people.
Netanyahu’s refusal to acknowledge the need for a Palestinian state with all appropriate safeguards encourages Israel’s far right to be as morally blind and vicious as, yes, Hamas. It also isolates, and thus endangers, Israel.
I have family in Israel. Carolyn and I have joyfully visited them there and hosted them in San Francisco. So, if you’re thinking about taking a Torah-studying Jew who’s staunchly pro-Israel to task regarding my view of what’s happening in the West Bank, think carefully.
Bibi’s shaming me. Take care that you don’t shame yourself.
Please pass on this post.
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Thank you David. I just read Friedman’s column this morning. He explains the moral dilemma well, as do you. How can we confront the willful moral blindness of actors we have no leverage over (Netanyahu and Hamas) and change the path the world seems to be on these days?
We’re confronted by a challenging situation, Ellen. The deeper the whole, the harder to climb out.
You are not the only one who feels this way.
I did not imagine that I was alone, Jerry. Thanks for the comment.
Sherith Israel recently hosted a Palestinian Israeli who noted that between the Jordan and the Mediterranean there are 7 million Jews and 7 million Arabs, and none of them are going anywhere. Any endgame that doesn’t allow for self-determination and dignity for both groups is a doomed fantasy — and the settlers who think they can recreate David’s kingdom are living in that fantasy and dragging the rest of us into it.
Fantasy, David appeals to a great many people. A dose of reality would take us a long way to real peace.
Well Stated
So So Sad
Thanks, Jesse. And agreed.
I read your blog and immediately felt the need to respond—not only as your cousin, but as someone who has built her life in Israel for the past 37 years. I want to begin by saying that I share many of your concerns. I’ve protested policies I disagree with and I am often frustrated with decisions made by this government. It’s from this place of deep engagement, not blind loyalty, that I want to share my perspective.
Even in moments of anger or disagreement, I have never felt ashamed of Israel. We live with daily threats—attempted attacks are stopped every single day, while our soldiers are still fighting in Gaza, stationed in Judea and Samaria, and protecting the northern border. I do feel pained and saddened by many things: by the actions of extremist settlers who break the law (and many of whom have been arrested), by irresponsible decisions from certain ministers, and by the divisions that tear us apart.
It has been especially painful to stand on bridges on Motzei Shabbat with Israelis—many who have served or lost children—protesting the refusal of segments of the Haredi community to serve in the army. And it has been heartbreaking to witness the suffering of the hostage families and their pleas to the government to do everything possible to bring their loved ones home. These things stir anger, frustration, and deep pain—but never shame.
You wrote that “the brutality of that day, which claimed 1,200 lives, has nothing to do with achieving a political settlement or a two-state solution.” I see it differently. I believe it has everything to do with it. In 2005, Israel withdrew fully from Gaza and handed it to the Palestinian Authority, which then allowed Hamas to build the tunnel network that enabled the attack. We cannot afford to repeat that mistake and assume that a future Palestinian state would be peaceful. Before anything, there needs to be a real ceasefire, real security guarantees, and real changes—including the removal of clauses calling for Israel’s destruction.
So when you view events from the outside as a source of shame, what I feel from here is profound pain—pain over the hostages, over the sacrifices of our soldiers, over internal struggles like the draft, and over the heavy price of this conflict. But this pain isn’t paralyzing; it motivates us. It pushes us to demand more of our leaders and to work toward a more just and peaceful future for everyone.
And despite everything, we have much to be proud of: our resilience, our capacity for self-criticism, and the way our society insists on open debate even under immense pressure. I look to the future with pride and much hope!
Thinking of you,
Maxine
Thank you so much, Max. Actually, I agree with you on everything. To clarify: Hamas’ attack had nothing to do with their seeking a two-state solution. They remain committed to destroying Israel. A potential two-state solution would require a wide range of safety protocols, as you mentioned.
And, I am not ashamed of Israel. When I wrote Israel shamed me, I meant that the refusal of the Netanyahu government to deal with the Hilltop Boys and similar far-right groups shames my belief in basic human dignity. Their attacks on Palestinians are not security measures. The IDF and Shin Bet can handle that.
Again, to be clear: I love Israel and always defend it, pointing out the intentions of Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran. I cannot defend the Hilltop Boys, which is another matter.
As a loyal American, I cannot defend the practices of my present government. I’m still proud of America but call out wrongs as I see them.
By the way, check out this Friday’s post,
Love to all,