SAN DIEGO (Press Release) — We are 22 months into the Hamas war and the dramatic shift it has created for Jews around the world. At a time when we are facing growing threats, staying rooted in a strong, connected community is not just meaningful—it’s essential.
It is also critical that we stay informed through trustworthy sources, so we can better understand and communicate the complexity of this pivotal moment for Israel.
The past few weeks have brought a blanket of traditional and social media coverage about Israel and the worsening situation in Gaza, much of it misinformed at best and in many cases blatantly biased against Israel. Since allegations of widespread hunger in Gaza rose to international prominence, Israel has been flooding the region with aid, and the impact of that aid is now beginning to be felt.
At the same time, the horrifying images of Israeli hostages, Evyatar David and Rom Braslavsky, both starving at the hands of their Hamas captors, demonstrate in the most painful way the tragedy and urgency of their situation, and the need to bring them and the other hostages home as soon as possible.
The declining circumstances in Gaza, the continued captivity and torture of Israeli hostages, the spread of misinformation, some European leaders’ potential support for Palestinian statehood, and the sharp rise in antisemitism have made conversations around Israel—both in the media and sometimes even within our own homes—more difficult and more important, as public opinion shifts and the pressure on Israel increases.
At Federation, we remain committed to helping our community access clear, factual information. This week, Jewish Federations of Noth America (JFNA) hosted a special briefing with Israeli journalist Haviv Rettig Gur to help contextualize recent developments. We highly recommend you watch the recording which you can find below.
Click here to watch the recording
In the latest JFNA Israel Update blog post, you can find:
–The latest humanitarian efforts in Gaza, including new Israeli policies, the role of the UN, and persistent challenges on the ground.
–Updates on ceasefire negotiations, hostage talks, and Hamas’ recent positioning.
–A wave of international diplomatic shifts, including announcements by Canada, France, and the UK on Palestinian state recognition.
–Resources for further learning and engagement.
We hope you find these resources helpful as you navigate these difficult times, and we wish you Shabbat Shalom.
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Preceding provided by the Jewish Federation of San Diego