Rabbi Alissa Wise, a member of the rabbinical council with Jewish Voice for Peace, is deeply affected by the harrowing images of dead Palestinian children and the devastation in Gaza caused by the Israeli siege and bombing campaign. The airstrikes have resulted in the deaths of over 4,600 Palestinians, including 1,900 children, and displaced 1.4 million people. Wise channels her emotions into action, speaking out and demanding a ceasefire.
She acknowledges the grief and horror over Hamas’ attack in Israel that resulted in the deaths of over 1,400 people, including civilians. However, it is the Palestinian civilians living in Gaza who are suffering the most from the ongoing attacks. Wise, along with other Jewish American peace activists, mobilizes to save lives and calls for an immediate ceasefire, even when it goes against certain groups within their own community.
Recently, thousands of Jews and allies marched on Capitol Hill, carrying Palestinian flags and advocating for Palestinian rights. The action was organized by Jewish Voice for Peace and IfNotNow, two of the largest Jewish groups in the US that are calling for a just and peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. At the sit-in, rabbis blew shofars and shared testimonials from Palestinians affected by the violence.
The activists also urged the US government to stop providing aid to Israel, which they believe supports the mass killing of Palestinians. Several activists, including Rabbi Wise, were arrested during the event. Thousands of Jewish Americans continue to protest across the country, urging President Joe Biden and other officials to take action and prevent further civilian casualties.
Jewish Voice for Peace and IfNotNow are not only organizing civil actions but also educating communities through digital media, engaging with journalists, organizing petition drives, and launching email campaigns targeting elected officials and news organizations. They collaborate with smaller Jewish groups, as well as Arab, Muslim, and Palestine solidarity activists.
While these Jewish groups advocating for Palestinian rights face criticism, they remain committed to their cause. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has criticized them for lacking moral clarity and being anti-Zionist, while Wise and other activists argue that they are critiquing the government’s policies, not Judaism or Jewish people as a whole. Wise believes that the claim of antisemitism is used to silence people and manipulate Jewish trauma.
Despite facing backlash from her community and even her own family, Wise remains determined to fight for the future she believes in. She finds solace in the community she has built through her activism. IfNotNow emphasizes that they are not anti-Zionist but anti-occupation, and their main focus is advocating for a ceasefire.
The suffering and devastation caused by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict have been ongoing for 75 years, and Wise and other activists are determined to bring about change and justice. In their efforts to raise awareness, they continue to organize protests, engage with lawmakers, and speak out against the violence happening in Gaza.
