The Chaos of Modern Times

Let’s face it, we live in confusing times. There’s noise everywhere—social media, news cycles, campus protests, you name it. For Israel and the Jewish people, it feels like being in the eye of a hurricane, with history repeating itself in the most dramatic way possible. In the grand arc of Jewish history, we’ve seen golden ages, hard-won freedoms, and, after 2,000 years, sovereignty in our ancestral homeland. But comfort can be a dangerous thing. Just when we started to feel accepted and safe, October 7th jolted us awake, reminding us that old traumas can come roaring back when you least expect it.

Israel’s Right to Defend Itself

So, let’s talk about the big question: Israel’s right to defend itself. It’s not just a talking point—it’s the heartbeat of the current crisis. After decades of wars, terror, and being told to “just get over it,” Israelis and Jews worldwide are once again forced to confront what it means to be targeted simply for existing. The horrors of October 7th—murder, kidnapping, and unspeakable brutality—weren’t just a news story. They were a wake-up call that the threats are real and that Israel’s right to defend itself is not up for debate.

Wrestling With Reality: Jewish Values and Hard Choices

Now, if you’ve spent any time on social media lately, you’ve probably seen the phrase “as a Jew” thrown around a lot. Sometimes it’s used to criticize Israel, sometimes to defend it. Here’s the thing: Jewish tradition is all about asking tough questions, arguing, and wrestling with opposing views. Israelis are pros at this—just look at the nightly news or any street protest in Tel Aviv. But at the end of the day, Jewish values have to be applied to reality, not wishful thinking. And reality is messy. War is horrific, but when you’re facing a group like Hamas—a jihadi death cult that openly promises to repeat October 7th again and again—what choice do you really have?

The Confusion of Modern Conflict

It’s hard to wrap your head around the fact that sometimes, you care more about Palestinian children than Hamas does. That’s not hyperbole. Hamas deliberately puts civilians in harm’s way, hoping the world will be shocked. For decades, Arab and Palestinian leaders have chosen confrontation over compromise, and the result has been more suffering for their own people. Even now, brave Palestinians in Gaza are risking their lives to protest against Hamas, demanding freedom from their own rulers. It’s a reality that rarely makes the headlines, but it’s happening.

Israel’s Right to Defend Itself: Not Just a Slogan

Let’s cut through the noise: Israel’s right to defend itself is about survival. Hamas is the Palestinian branch of the Muslim Brotherhood, backed by Iran, and their goal isn’t liberation—it’s subjugation. Not just of Jews, but of anyone who doesn’t fit their worldview: women, Christians, LGBTQ+ people, minorities. This isn’t some abstract ideological debate. It’s about real people facing real threats. And while some in the West play dress-up with keffiyehs and green headbands, pretending to be revolutionaries, they’re actually hurting the very voices in the Middle East who are risking everything to resist extremism.

The Real Imperialists in the Middle East

Let’s set the record straight: Israel is not the colonialist here. The real imperialists are the Iranian regime and their proxies, who are trying to export their brand of religious extremism across the region. But in the West, it’s hard for people to take that threat seriously. Maybe it’s because we can’t imagine believing in ideas so extreme, but that doesn’t make them any less real. And we should never be afraid to call out bad ideas—whether it’s honor killings, stoning, or attacking Israel simply for existing.

Actionable Advice: Clarity Over Confusion

• Don’t get swept up in slogans. Do your own research and look at what’s actually happening on the ground.
• Listen to the voices of Palestinians in Gaza who are standing up to Hamas. Their courage deserves more coverage than anti-Israel propaganda.
• Remember that peace is possible. The Abraham Accords showed that normalization and integration are within reach—if extremists aren’t allowed to sabotage the process.

Fresh Perspective: Defending Western Values

Israel’s right to defend itself isn’t just about Israel. It’s about defending the liberal democratic values that many in the West take for granted. The threats facing Israel today are the same threats facing anyone who values freedom, equality, and human rights. That’s why, as Jews and non-Jews, we need to debate, argue, and wrestle with our consciences—but also recognize when reality demands clarity. Our ideas must be defended, and the dangerous ideologies of groups like Hamas must be defeated. It’s a war of ideas as much as anything else, and it’s one we can’t afford to lose.

Conclusion: Israel’s Right to Defend Itself Is Non-Negotiable

In confusing times, some things have to be clear. Israel’s right to defend itself is about survival, justice, and the defense of values that matter to all of us. The world may be noisy, but clarity is possible—if we’re willing to look reality in the eye and act accordingly.