On October 7, 2023, a noticeable shift emerged in the way public figures engage with current events when celebrity Kylie Jenner deleted her Instagram story that expressed solidarity with Israel amidst the escalating violence in the region.
As Hamas militants took hostages and instigated violence in Israel, Jenner’s initial post conveyed a common gesture of support, akin to the typical celebrity responses we often witness following tragic events.
However, the swift backlash from her extensive fan base led her to retract the message, highlighting a trend where expressions of solidarity with Israel have become fraught with social implications.
This silent yet glaring dynamic has become increasingly familiar to American Jews who find themselves confronted by a wave of indifference or hostility, particularly from social and political circles.
The reaction of many organizations and advocacy groups has often been muted, even in the face of grievous acts committed by Hamas, including sex crimes against women.
Meanwhile, Jewish students across prestigious university campuses have faced harassment, and rising anti-Semitic hate crimes, particularly in urban settings like New York City, have deepened the sense of vulnerability within the Jewish community.
The silence surrounding these issues has given way to opposing voices that not only tolerate but even rationalize violence against Jews and proponents of Zionism.
Arguments suggesting that the heinous acts of October 7 were a justified form of resistance, or that Israel as a state should be dismantled, are gaining traction.
These increasingly vocal sentiments are part of a broader narrative supported by educational institutions that often portray the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through a lens that oversimplifies complex realities into a struggle between oppressors and the oppressed.
As social media platforms become the primary source of news for many Americans, this one-dimensional perspective gains further reinforcement through catchy and viral content.
The rise of political figures like Zohran Mamdani and his colleagues within the Democratic Socialists of America serves as a case study in this proliferating ideology.
On the very day of the October 7 attacks, the Democratic Socialists of America vocalized its stance with a message bearing the phrase “End the Violence, End the Occupation, Free Palestine.”
Mamdani’s reluctance to adamantly condemn incendiary phrases such as “Globalize the Intifada” poses particularly troubling implications for a leader in a city where Jewish residents are a significant demographic yet disproportionately targeted in hate crimes.
For an emerging group of New Yorkers, overt anti-Israel sentiment has seeped into daily conversations and social media interactions, leading some to dismiss stark images or videos of violence against Jews as mere collateral damage in a larger fight for justice.
However, the reality in New York transcends campus politics.
The average resident is far removed from the insular debates that dominate social media.
Everyday citizens are acutely aware of public safety issues, from masked protesters obstructing their commutes to the disheartening scenes of celebration over violence symbolized by gatherings in Times Square.
New Yorkers do not need to be affiliated with Jewish advocacy organizations to recognize the need for law enforcement against the growing unrest or to feel uneasy with politicians who seem to brush over acts of violence.
Activists aiming to normalize anti-Israel sentiments may not fully represent the broader opinions of those in New York.
Recent history tells us that activist-led narratives do not always reflect the feelings of the populace.
As a reminder, even within a city well-acquainted with political activism, public sentiment can diverge sharply from the biases presented online.
Nonetheless, a note of optimism remains.
Looking towards 2025, New York’s Jewish community remains robust and engaged in civic life, and they cast votes.
Rather than existing merely as Jews in New York, the aspiration is to thrive as proud Jewish New Yorkers.
Moving forward, the hope lies in encouraging all New Yorkers to think independently and resist the influences of propaganda.
image source from：city-journal
