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🇮🇱 Israel /Culture & Society

Does this feeling go both ways? - opinion

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

Opinion Named sources Context piece
  • The author observes a disparity in solidarity between American Jews and Israelis, noting a large rally in Washington with fewer reciprocal demonstrations in Israel.
  • This asymmetry is attributed not to indifference but to a structural difference where Israel is a "beloved partner" to the Diaspora, while the Diaspora is a "beloved cousin" to Israel.
  • The author suggests this romanticized view of Israel can distort reality, softening or obscuring its flaws for Diaspora Jews.

Hundreds of thousands of American Jews gathered on the National Mall in November for a rally expressing solidarity with Israel, a powerful display of support in the wake of heightened hostility following the October 7 attacks. The author, however, struggles to recall an equivalent reciprocal demonstration filling Jerusalem's city center or Tel Aviv's Kaplan Square.

I struggle to recall an equivalent when Jerusalem’s city center or Tel Aviv’s Kaplan Square filled in reciprocated solidarity.

— AuthorHighlighting the perceived lack of reciprocal solidarity from Israelis towards Diaspora Jewish concerns.

This imbalance prompts the question: Why the disparity? While some might point to Israel's right-wing government, Israeli chauvinism, or aspects of the Zionist project, the author argues these explanations miss the core issue. Israelis, the author contends, deeply care about their Diaspora brethren, with a significant majority of Israeli Jewish millennials deeming close ties with the American Jewish community "very important."

The disconnect, according to the author, is not about sentiment but structure. The relationship is asymmetrical: Israel is the Diaspora's "beloved partner," while the Diaspora is Israel's "beloved cousin." This dynamic, likened to romantic love, means Diaspora Jews experience Israel's pain viscerally, as if it were their own, with their thoughts constantly occupied by their object of affection.

Israel is the Diaspora’s beloved partner; the Diaspora is Israel’s beloved cousin.

— AuthorDefining the asymmetrical nature of the relationship between Israel and the Diaspora.

This intense attachment, the author suggests, can distort reality. Under its influence, Israel's flaws may be softened, explained away, or go unnoticed. Israel is perceived not as a place of mundane routines and compromises, but as an object of almost religious devotion. The author warns that when this idealized image confronts reality, the contrast can lead to revulsion, drawing a parallel to the fury of a scorned lover, implying that those raised to love Israel can become its fiercest critics when confronted with its imperfections.

Under its spell, Israel’s many flaws are softened, explained away, or simply unseen.

— AuthorDescribing how intense attachment can lead to a distorted perception of Israel.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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