In an age of disinformation, soundbites that obscure the wider story, and clickbait-focused headlines, we are proud to offer our community new resources on topics at the heart of contemporary progressive discussions about Israel and Palestine. These resources are intended to help readers broaden their understanding of the complexity and nuance behind these flashpoint conversations, while not shying away from the moral issues that fuel them.
“Discussing Genocide: A Guide for Reflection and Discernment”
Our hearts have been shattered since October 7th, 2023. The terror attacks perpetrated by Hamas on that day were war crimes, and took the lives of at least 1,200 people, including some of our close organizing partners in Israel. We continue to sit with worry and grief for over the two hundred and three hostages taken from Israel to Gaza that day, forty-eight of whom remain in Gaza. Israelis and Palestinians both have a right to be safe and free, and we understand the Israeli government to have been well within its rights to respond militarily to these horrific attacks.Two years after this terrible day, however, we are witnessing continued military action in Gaza without a clear or achievable strategic objective articulated by Israel’s leadership, and even public disagreement between the Israeli government and military heads.
We realize that among Jews who have built their political home amongst a broader progressive movement, there is particular pain in acknowledging that a genocide is taking place in Gaza. Many of us get “stuck” along certain lines of thinking and feeling – confusion, denial, shame, heartbreak, and so much more. However, we cannot let our grief and our deep distress keep us from continuing to shy away from the catastrophe occurring every day in Gaza. The pain of acknowledging this is acute. And it cannot stand in the way of telling the truth about what we are collectively witnessing. At Partners, we are sharing this resource after a long process of discernment and reflection, to help our community move through our fear, our grief, and our hesitancy to confront this reality head-on.
Download and Access “Discussing Genocide” Here
UNRWA DEMYSTIFIED Fact Sheet
Partners for Progressive Israel is proud to offer this guide, crafted with expert input, on addressing concerns in our local Jewish and progressive communities regarding the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, better known as UNRWA. While we cannot address every question about this controversial agency, this document is intended to equip individuals with the basic facts of UNRWA’s funding, operations, and role in addressing the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip and Palestinian territories.
As of writing, the US State Department has made it clear that there is a looming humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip, one that progressives and all people of conscience cannot ignore. We realize that these conversations are difficult for our community, and share this guide in the interest of constructive conversation and clearheaded analysis.