The Israeli Left: Realism and Moral Commitment

Organizations and individuals throughout the world are responding to the October 7th massacre by Hamas, and Israel’s military response, in sharp and vociferous contrast with one another. While one camp mourns the atrocities by Hamas and pools resources to aid the IDF, the other rallies to decry the suffering of Palestinian civilians caught in the war’s crossfire. Few voices, it seems, give credence to both tragedies at once. 

This week, Yehuda Kurtzer and Mickey Gitzin, Director of the New Israel Fund in Israel, consider how it’s possible to hold complexity during this time of intense polarization and the ways the political left in Israel differs starkly from progressivism globally. They explore the conflicting visions for the future of the region, the balance of criticism and solidarity, the state of shared society between Israelis and Palestinians, and the role of activists and NGOs like the New Israel Fund. 

Mentioned in this episode: 

• Learn more about the New Israel Fund here. 
• In July 2021, Ben & Jerry’s bid its parent company not to sell its ice cream in the occupied territories. 
• Listen to our episode with Haviv Gur about the violence in the West Bank perpetrated by hilltop youth.

JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST FOR MORE HARTMAN IDEAS