Are Jews Responsible for the Genocide In Gaza?

For far too long I openly supported the war in Gaza and now I’m reckoning with what that means. I am culpable. Do all Jews share responsibility for the horrors of Gaza?

For my whole life, I supported Israel and its right to self-defense. Not unquestioningly. I wasn’t an idiot. I hope. I knew we made mistakes and lied. But basically, I thought my country was in the right and its military operations were designed to defend the population and minimize harm.

Therefore, when the war in Gaza began, I stood with Israel, convinced it wasn’t a genocide but a fight against terror. I even reveled in the killing of Hamas leaders, focusing on what felt like justice and ignoring the so called “collateral damage” which I thought was inevitable.

I doubted many of the videos and images coming out of Gaza, suspecting they were staged or even AI-generated. Looking back, I realize how wrong I was. How I helped whitewash crimes. There’s no forgiveness for that, nor do I expect any. I was blinded by loyalty and fear, unwilling to see the full picture.

But over time, the truth became impossible to ignore. The suffering, the devastation, the innocent lives caught in the crossfire—all of it forced me to confront how much I had been misled. This isn’t just about politics or propaganda; it’s about real people paying the price. I don’t say this to absolve myself, but to own my journey from unquestioning support to painful awareness—and to acknowledge the responsibility that comes with it.

If there are others who supported what’s happening in Gaza, I believe they should make amends, just as I’m trying to do. Even though we can never do enough to undo the damage, acknowledging our mistakes and speaking out is a start. Those who have stood on the sidelines or stayed quiet, even while knowing something was wrong, also need to find the courage to raise their voices.

This isn’t easy, and it won’t fix everything. But it’s necessary. And that’s why—what follows will explain it—the responsibility to speak out falls on all of us, especially when silence feels safer but isn’t.

Moral Responsibility vs. Collective Guilt: A Philosophical Perspective

Moral responsibility is a concept philosophers have wrestled with for centuries, and their insights help untangle the complex question of who can truly be held accountable for the actions of others. Immanuel Kant’s philosophy centers on the idea of individual autonomy and intentionality. In his Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals (1785), Kant explains:
"An action done from duty derives its moral worth not from the purpose to be attained by it but from the maxim in accordance with which the action is done."
This means responsibility lies with those who consciously endorse the action—not with those who share an identity but do not support or participate in the wrongdoing.

Similarly, Hannah Arendt famously warned about the dangers of collective guilt in her book Eichmann in Jerusalem (1963), where she wrote:
"Guilt is an affair of the individual."
She argued that blaming entire groups for the actions of individuals undermines justice and personal accountability, stripping away the nuance of conscience and choice.

This philosophical foundation is crucial when considering the question of Jewish responsibility for what happens in Gaza. It’s a moral error to hold every Jew responsible for the actions of the Israeli government simply because Israel defines itself as a Jewish state. As former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated,
"Israel is the nation-state of the Jewish people, and it has the right to defend itself and its citizens."
While Israel represents itself as the Jewish homeland, this political identity does not translate into collective moral responsibility for all Jews worldwide.

Why the World Holds Jews Responsible Anyway

Despite the clear philosophical distinction between individual moral responsibility and collective identity, the world often conflates the two when it comes to Jews and the conflict in Gaza. This mismatch between fairness and perception is shaped by several powerful forces.

Israel’s self-definition as a Jewish state reinforces the idea internationally that what Israel does reflects on all Jews. Compounding this is the fact that a significant portion of the Jewish population expresses strong support for Israel’s policies. According to a 2023 Pew Research Center survey of U.S. Jews:

• 74% believe it is important to support Israel.

• 69% feel emotionally attached to Israel.

• 47% support Israel’s military actions in Gaza, while 30% disapprove, and 23% are unsure or neutral.

This diversity of opinion shows that the Jewish community is not monolithic, but the visible majority support gives the impression—fair or not—that Jews broadly endorse the government’s actions.

Organizations like the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) also play a major role. They vigorously defend Israel and combat antisemitism but often frame criticism of Israel as antisemitism, which can stifle dissent within and outside the Jewish community. This creates a monolithic image of Jewish consensus that doesn’t reflect reality.

Meanwhile, antisemitism remains a real and dangerous threat. The ADL’s 2024 audit of antisemitic incidents in the United States shows a 34% rise compared to the previous year, with synagogue vandalism up 50% and assaults against Jewish individuals increasing 27%. This spike is often linked to the conflict in Gaza, where Jews worldwide are unfairly targeted, regardless of their personal views or actions.

The truth is, Jews who do not support or engage in genocidal acts are not morally responsible. Though I would argue they are remiss. But the nature of antisemitism and the focus on Jews means they will not get to enjoy the benefits of this theoretical innocence. That is just reality.

The Consequences of Collective Responsibility

The perception of collective responsibility for what’s happening in Gaza has profound consequences for Jews everywhere, touching every aspect of life—socially, politically, and emotionally. Since the escalation of the conflict, there has been a sharp rise in antisemitic attacks worldwide, including vandalism of synagogues, harassment of Jewish individuals in public, and violent assaults. Jewish community centers and schools have been targeted, creating an atmosphere of fear and insecurity for people who have no connection to the conflict or the horrific crimes committed in Gaza.

Speaking of those crimes, the images and reports coming out of Gaza are devastating—mass civilian casualties, widespread destruction of homes and infrastructure, and the suffering of countless innocent men, women, and children. These horrors demand urgent attention and condemnation. Yet, the Jews targeted in antisemitic attacks share none of the responsibility for this violence. It is essential to state unequivocally that violence and hatred against innocent Jews are never justified, no matter the political context.

But reality is what it is. The collective association between Jews and Israel’s actions has made Jewish communities vulnerable in ways that feel immediate and deeply personal. This creates a painful paradox: many Jews face blame and danger because of actions they neither support nor influence. At the same time, there is the understanding that silence or passivity in the face of Gaza’s suffering allows these horrors to continue unchallenged.

This is why speaking out becomes not just a moral choice but a necessity. Rejecting antisemitism and condemning the crimes in Gaza are inseparable acts. Jewish voices have a unique responsibility and power to break the cycle of blame and silence—standing against hatred at home while demanding justice abroad. The burden is heavy, but the cost of silence is far greater.

The Internal Struggle: Pressure and Division Within the Jewish Community

The moral and social pressures on Jews to speak out against the violence in Gaza are intensified by the reality of how intertwined identity and politics have become in this conflict. Many Jews feel caught between two impossible demands: defending their community against rising antisemitism while also confronting the actions of the Israeli government, which claims to represent them on the world stage.

This tension is further amplified by the way some organizations and political forces frame the debate. Groups like the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) play a significant role in defending Israel, but their efforts sometimes suppress legitimate criticism. By equating dissent with antisemitism, they create an environment where Jews who oppose Israeli policies risk being labeled as disloyal or self-hating. This stifles open dialogue and leaves many feeling isolated or fearful of speaking out.

Meanwhile, polls show that while a majority of Jews in some countries support Israel’s right to defend itself, there is also a significant and growing number who question or oppose specific military actions, especially those causing civilian suffering. This diversity of opinion reflects a community wrestling with complex moral questions, not a monolith united in support of all government policies.

At the same time, antisemitism remains a dangerous and real threat, exploited by extremists who use Israel’s actions as a pretext to attack Jews indiscriminately. These hateful actors ignore any nuance or individuality, instead spreading blame and violence against Jewish people broadly.

All of this creates a difficult landscape where Jews worldwide carry a burden they did not choose. The pressure to publicly navigate these issues is immense, but it also highlights the urgent need for honest conversation, personal accountability, and collective courage. Speaking out is not just about politics; it’s about reclaiming the dignity and humanity of individuals caught in a web of collective assumptions and expectations.

When Defense Backfires: How Current Responses Fuel Antisemitism

The ways in which defenders of Israel and some Jewish organizations have responded to criticism and dissent around the Gaza conflict have often backfired, making the situation worse. Labeling critics as antisemites, branding Jews who oppose the war as “kapos” or “self-hating,” and pushing for harsh measures like lobbying to deport anti-war protesters have created more division and pain within the community and beyond.

These tactics aim to silence dissent by equating any opposition to Israeli policies with hatred of Jews. But this approach ignores the legitimate moral concerns many have about the conflict and alienates those who want to stand against violence without being branded traitors to their identity. Instead of fostering honest dialogue, it shuts down conversation and deepens rifts.

Worse, these aggressive defenses have contributed to a rise in antisemitism rather than quelling it. By conflating criticism with bigotry, they give fuel to extremists who exploit the controversy to attack Jews indiscriminately. This creates a toxic cycle where the community’s attempts to protect itself end up making it more vulnerable.

If the goal is to reduce antisemitism and promote justice, then silencing voices and demonizing internal dissent won’t work. What’s needed is openness, courage, and the willingness to confront uncomfortable truths—even when it challenges deeply held loyalties. Only by breaking this cycle can we hope to protect Jewish communities and push for an end to the violence in Gaza.

Conclusion: The Necessity and Power of Speaking Out

There’s no question that speaking out against the genocide in Gaza is the right thing to do. Morally, we have long warned about the dangers of silence—how the world’s silence during the Holocaust allowed unimaginable horrors to unfold. Now, faced with a new crisis, we must ask ourselves: will we remain silent again? Or worse, will we lend our support to actions that betray our own values?

For me, this means reckoning with my own past support for the war, recognizing how wrong I was to ignore the suffering and to doubt the reality unfolding before us. Changing one’s mind in the face of new truths is difficult, but it carries a special responsibility. Those of us who once stood silent or in support must now speak louder and work harder to challenge injustice and hatred.

Speaking out is not only a moral imperative but also a practical necessity. From the standpoint of self-interest, openly condemning the violence and advocating for justice is the most effective way to fight antisemitism. When Jews refuse to be silent, they challenge the dangerous narratives that seek to blame an entire people for the actions of a government. They reclaim the conversation, exposing the complexity and humanity often lost in broad stereotypes.

It may not be fair, but Jews are constantly blamed for the genocide in Gaza. But we are not passive victims. We can change the narrative. All we have to do is speak out. Israel and the ADL claim to speak for us. If we don’t challenge them, they will be our de facto voice, and we will be part of this genocide. Whether we like it or not