Diaspora Jews: 'Don't use my name to defend Israel'

This June's annual Israel Day parade in New York City became a flashpoint for long-simmering tensions between progressive American Jews and the Israeli government. This year's event was particularly controversial due to the participation of Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who claims to be wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC), alongside several other far-right lawmakers.

As the parade marched along Fifth Avenue, Smotrich was met by protesters chanting "shame" and "war criminal." The demonstrators, largely progressive Jews, aimed to make clear their opposition to Israeli policies, especially against the backdrop of the ongoing war in Gaza.

Despite the backlash, Smotrich held his ground, insisting Israel is the "home of the entire Jewish people" and that the security of Jews worldwide depends on Israel's strength. New York Mayor Zoran Mamdani followed through on a campaign pledge to boycott the event, a move welcomed by Jewish organizations critical of the Israeli government.

Groups like "Israelis for Peace" and "Jews for Economic and Racial Justice" (JFREJ) argued that a parade featuring Israeli politicians who have celebrated genocide against Palestinians is not a celebration of Jewish identity or pride.

Growing voices of dissent

Emily Hilton, co-founder of UK-based Na'amod, said her critical view of Israel crystallized after the 2014 assault on Gaza, particularly an incident where four Palestinian children were shot dead while playing soccer on a beach. She said it was "shocking" when Israeli politicians invoked the global Jewish community to justify their actions.

"Claims that they are acting in my name are truly offensive. Whether it's the polite apartheid of Lapid and Bennett, or the violence and destruction of the current government, the problem is the system itself," Hilton said. She called for a future beyond Zionism, grounded in justice and equality.

Polls in the U.S. and Europe show deepening divisions within diaspora Jewish communities over Israel. While some feel a stronger bond with Israel amid global criticism, many others are turning away, believing Tel Aviv is committing genocide in their name.

Sonya Meyerson-Knox, Communications Director of the organization "Jewish Voices for Peace" (JVP), accused mainstream American Jewish organizations of long supporting Israeli government actions and remaining silent on war crimes. She said most of these groups continue to back Israel, despite what she called a "watershed" shift in the broader Jewish community.

Keith Kahn-Harris, a sociologist at the Institute for Jewish Policy Research, said the decades-long consensus among diaspora Jews on Israel is weakening. "The attacks of the past three years have exposed that many old consensus points on Israel are no longer viable," he said. Yet, he noted, there remains a long road before mainstream Jewish institutions question Israel's future as a state.