Rabbi Alissa Wise navigates her social media, and finds it peppered with distressing visuals showcasing the unimaginable tragedy of Palestinian children lost to the persistent warfare in Gaza. Like millions across the globe, she too is haunted by the overwhelming devastation that has swiftly made its presence felt.
Civilian loss has engulfed Gaza following a continuous two-week siege by Israeli forces. In the ensuing chaos, thousands of homes and crucial infrastructure have disintegrated, giving way to an unfolding humanitarian disaster. Israeli airstrikes have claimed over 4,600 lives, out of which an estimated 1,900 are children, and 14,000 others have sustained injuries. The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza reports this, while the United Nation’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs claims an alarming figure of 1.4 million internally displaced people.
“It’s a heartbreaking reality that I wake up to every morning, tears streaming and an anger that abounds within me,” revealed Rabbi Wise, serving on the Rabbinical Council with Jewish Voice for Peace. “To deal with it, I channel my rage into action and voice my concerns in the halls of Congress.”
Harbouring the same sentiments of despair and horror, Rabbi Wise was also deeply affected by Hamas’ appalling assault on Israel on October 7, resulting in the brutal death of over 1,400 people, including civilians and military personnel. Furthermore, over 200 others are reportedly missing based on accounts from Israel Defense Forces.
Israel’s mission in Gaza aims to annihilate and neutralise Hamas, the governing authority for sections of the territory. However, the relentless attacks are proving severely detrimental for the 2.2 million Palestinians residing in the region. Along with other Jewish-American peace enthusiasts, Rabbi Wise fervently calls for an immediate ceasefire, even at the risk of contradicting the stance of certain elements of her community.
In protest against the escalating violence, thousands descended on Capitol Hill on Wednesday. Palestinian flags fluttered overhead as a united voice spoke in favour of Palestinian rights. Rabbi Wise led a sit-in with hundreds of activists inside one of the Capitol buildings offering a heart rending tableau as the participants sounded shofars and read first-hand accounts of suffering Palestinians from Gaza.
During this highly charged assembly, a number of them were arrested, including Rabbi Wise. The larger Jewish American population continues to rally across the United States urging President Joe Biden and other government officials to rein in Israel against more civilian casualties.
Moments following her release, Rabbi Wise received news that a Palestinian friend lost his entire family in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza. “It was a sobering reminder of why we are in this fight. American Jews ought to stand up and declare ‘never again’ for anyone,” Rabbi Wise said.
Additionally Jewish Voice for Peace and IfNotNow have launched digital media campaigns for community education, journalists engagement and coordinated petition drives. Remaining vocal about their cause, they synergise with smaller Jewish groups including Arab, Muslim, and Palestinian solidarity activists.
However, the increasing criticism towards Jewish groups advocating for Palestinian rights raises concerns. The Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt showed respect for the protesters but questioned their moral clarity, holding Hamas accountable for the cascading tragedies.
Rejecting such criticisms, Wise maintains, “Zionism and Judaism aren’t identical. Criticizing a government’s politics isn’t antisemitism. Israel is a state, not a Jew.” Jewish Voice for Peace and IfNotNow firmly regard addressing the deep rooted issues as a key to achieving peace between Israelis and Palestinians.
Yet, Rabbi Wise confesses that she derives hope from action, “and envisioning a future for a free Palestine, safety and freedom for all of us, even amidst despair.”
