Bambang Pamungkas
The longstanding tension between progressive Jewish communities in the United States and the Israeli government once again intensified into sharp public confrontation, particularly evident during the annual Celebrate Israel Parade in New York City. The presence of Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a prominent figure from Israel’s far-right religious Zionist faction, alongside other right-wing Israeli politicians, ignited a firestorm of protests that underscored a deepening ideological chasm within the global Jewish diaspora.
As Smotrich marched along Fifth Avenue, a route traditionally symbolizing unity and celebration of Israel, he was met with vehement shouts of "shame" and "war criminal" from demonstrators. These protestors, many of whom identified as Jewish, voiced their profound disapproval of his presence and the policies he represents, particularly against the backdrop of the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the continued occupation of the West Bank. The demonstration highlighted a significant shift in a segment of the American Jewish community, moving from quiet dissent to overt public protest against the actions and rhetoric of the Israeli government.
The Celebrate Israel Parade: A Shifting Symbolism
The Celebrate Israel Parade, an annual fixture in New York City since 1964, has historically served as a vibrant display of support for Israel, drawing tens of thousands of participants and spectators. Organized by the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York (JCRC-NY), it traditionally aims to foster solidarity between American Jews and the State of Israel, showcasing Israeli culture, achievements, and the enduring bond between the two entities. However, in recent years, the parade has become a flashpoint for internal Jewish disagreements, particularly as Israeli politics have shifted further right and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has escalated.
For a growing number of American Jews, the parade no longer represents a neutral celebration of Jewish identity or heritage. Instead, it is increasingly seen as an endorsement of specific Israeli government policies, making their participation or even silent observation morally challenging. This year, the controversy reached new heights, fueled by the devastating war in Gaza and the perceived role of figures like Smotrich in shaping those policies. Smotrich, known for his controversial remarks on Palestinians, West Bank settlements, and judicial reforms, embodied for many protestors the very aspects of Israeli policy they found reprehensible. His presence transformed what was intended as a unifying event into a stage for profound division.
Despite the vociferous opposition, Minister Smotrich remained defiant, reiterating a core tenet of right-wing Israeli ideology: "The State of Israel is the home for the entire Jewish nation. The security of Jews around the world depends on the strength and security of the State of Israel. There is no better place to live than in Israel." This statement, widely reported by outlets including Al Jazeera on Sunday, March 14, 2026, sought to reinforce the inseparable link between Israel and global Jewry, framing the nation’s existence as central to Jewish identity and survival worldwide. However, for the dissenting voices, this assertion precisely encapsulates the problem – the claim that Israel acts on behalf of all Jews, irrespective of their individual political or ethical stances.
A City’s Stance: New York’s Mayor Steps Back
A notable development preceding the parade was the decision by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani to abstain from attending the event. This move fulfilled a campaign promise and garnered significant praise from several American Jewish organizations critical of the increasing influence of the far-right in Israeli politics. Mamdani’s decision was seen as a symbolic rejection of the narrative that the parade universally represents American Jewish sentiment and a tacit acknowledgment of the deep divisions within the community.
In a joint statement, Israelis for Peace and Jews for Racial & Economic Justice (JFREJ) articulated their appreciation: "The Celebrate Israel Parade, featuring Israeli politicians who not only advocate for genocide against Palestinians but are also part of the government perpetrating that genocide, is not a celebration of Jewish identity or pride. @NYCMayor knows this. We are grateful he did not attend." This strong condemnation underscored the protestors’ belief that certain Israeli government actions constitute genocide, a term that carries immense moral and legal weight and is fiercely debated globally. Their statement highlights a fundamental disagreement over the interpretation of Israel’s actions and the moral responsibilities of diaspora Jews.
Frustration with Claims of Collective Jewish Identity
Across the United States and Europe, a growing number of Jewish activists express profound frustration with Israeli politicians who, in their view, co-opt Jewish identity to justify military actions in Gaza and the occupation of the West Bank. Organizations such as Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) in the U.S. and Na’amod in the UK contend that the treatment of Palestinians fundamentally contradicts the values of democracy, justice, and human rights that Israel often claims to uphold. These groups argue that the actions of the Israeli government, particularly its current right-wing coalition, are eroding the moral standing of the state and alienating a significant portion of the global Jewish community.
Emily Hilton, a co-founder of Na’amod, recounted her evolving perspective on Israel. Her critical views began to solidify following Israel’s 2014 assault on Gaza, an operation that resulted in widespread destruction and significant Palestinian casualties. A particularly poignant moment for her was the death of four Palestinian children killed while playing football on a beach. "I started to question the acceptance of Zionist thought since university," Hilton told Al Jazeera. "I had met liberal Zionists who might question Israeli politics, but it wasn’t until I went to University College London that I started meeting Jews and Palestinians who were critical of Israel and what it means." This personal journey from conventional Zionist upbringing to active dissent is reflective of many progressive Jews grappling with their heritage and contemporary Israeli policies.
Hilton subsequently engaged with Jewish activist groups in the UK, participating in actions such as reciting traditional Jewish prayers of mourning for Palestinians killed by Israeli forces during the Great March of Return protests at the Gaza border in 2018. More recently, she joined commemorative events following the Hamas-led attacks of October 7th, 2023, which initiated the current devastating war. The subsequent Israeli military campaign in Gaza, which by early 2026 had tragically resulted in over 75,000 Palestinian casualties in Gaza and widespread destruction, has profoundly altered perceptions among some Jewish communities worldwide regarding their relationship with the state. This staggering casualty figure, if sustained by 2026, represents an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe and a significant escalation of the conflict.
"More and more people are realizing that we were right, Israel has lost the moral argument," Hilton asserted. "Any claim it once had is gone. Now, the only claim it has left is that it acts on behalf of the mainstream Jewish community, and even that looks increasingly uncertain." This statement captures the essence of the identity crisis many progressive Jews face, feeling that their shared heritage is being misused to legitimize actions they deem immoral.
Political Alternatives and the Systemic Issue
Hilton further argued that the main political alternatives to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, including former right-wing Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and opposition leader Yair Lapid, offer only marginal differences in approach rather than fundamental change. She suggested that their debates primarily revolve around the degree to which "apartheid and genocide should be implemented," rather than presenting a genuinely better future for Palestinians. This critique highlights a systemic problem, where the political spectrum within Israel, even its more ‘moderate’ factions, is perceived by these progressive Jewish groups as failing to address the core issues of occupation, human rights, and self-determination for Palestinians.
"The claim that they are acting on my behalf is, frankly, outrageous. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a more subtle apartheid advocated by Lapid and Bennett or the violence and destruction advocated by the current government; the problem is the system," Hilton elaborated. This perspective emphasizes that for many progressive Jews, the issue is not merely about specific policies or individual politicians, but about the very structure and ideology of the Israeli state’s relationship with Palestinians. They seek a radical re-evaluation of this relationship, rather than incremental reforms.
Shifting Sentiments in the Diaspora
Public opinion polls conducted across the United States and Europe reveal a diverse and often contradictory range of views within Jewish communities concerning Israel. While some segments in the U.S. and UK reported feeling an even stronger emotional bond with Israel following the widespread global condemnation it faced over the Gaza war, a significant and growing number are increasingly disassociating themselves from a state they perceive as committing atrocities in their name. This divergence underscores the profound internal conflict faced by diaspora Jews, caught between solidarity with a perceived homeland and a moral imperative to speak out against injustice.
Sonya Meyerson-Knox, Communications Director for Jewish Voice for Peace, articulated this dilemma to Al Jazeera: "For too long, American Jewish institutions have propped up the actions of the Israeli government and repeated its justifications that what they are doing is in the interest of Jewish people everywhere." She continued, "In doing so, they have not only engineered support for Israeli occupation, apartheid, and genocide against Palestinians, but they have also silenced and marginalized Jews who oppose these actions, or try to hold the Israeli state accountable for its war crimes." This criticism targets mainstream Jewish organizations, accusing them of stifling dissent and perpetuating a narrative that serves the Israeli government’s agenda, rather than representing the full spectrum of Jewish opinion.
Meyerson-Knox acknowledged that while the majority of American Jewish institutions continue to support Israel, there has been a "massive shift" within the broader American Jewish community. This shift suggests a growing disconnect between the leadership of established Jewish organizations and the evolving sentiments of their constituents, particularly among younger generations and those with more progressive political leanings. The protests at the Celebrate Israel Parade are just one visible manifestation of this ongoing internal struggle, signaling a fundamental re-evaluation of identity, loyalty, and moral responsibility among a significant portion of the global Jewish diaspora. As the conflict in the Middle East continues to unfold, these internal divisions are likely to deepen, reshaping the future of Jewish-Israeli relations and the landscape of Jewish advocacy worldwide.
