Why do Jews often side against Israel? What satisfaction do they derive from standing with Israel’s foes? Why do most American Jews vote Democratic when Republicans are generally far more supportive of Israel?
Could it be that diaspora Jews have forgotten the horrors that Jews in Europe experienced? Perhaps they remember but don’t much care? Are they so wedded to a liberal/progressive agenda that their liberalism eclipses their concern for Israel? Maybe Israel barely registers on their radar screen.
I recently discussed these questions with Dr. Morris “Moe” Gelbart, a friend of mine and a practicing clinical psychologist for 40 years. He is the director of Gelbart and Associates, a Los Angeles-based multi-disciplinary behavioral health group with 30 clinicians including therapists, psychiatrists, and psychologists – one of the largest mental health group practices in California.
His answers to my questions were concise and to the point.
AW: In 2005 Israel unilaterally returned Gaza to the Palestinians. The Palestinians elected Hamas and Gaza became a launching pad for rocket attacks against Israel. So why are there Jews who insist on blaming Israel for the misery in Gaza?
Dr. Gelbart: The fear of anti-Semitism sometimes causes identification with the aggressor.
Does the Holocaust play a part in the psyche of Jews who find reasons to be critical of Israel?
Yes. The concept of “never again” was born from the Holocaust but there is a streak of egalitarianism in Jews, and some of them attempt to apply the concept both ways in an attempt to fight against their internal guilt over being put in the position of aggressor.
So some Jews have feelings of guilt over being physically aggressive even toward enemies who want to kill them.
Yes. Being seen by the world as aggressors/perpetrators is very difficult and foreign for many Jews, and can lead to guilt.
Is it significant that many of Israel’s severest Jewish critics live far from Israel?
Yes. The farther one is from the actual events the easier it is to rationalize danger.
Can this be a subconscious way for some Jews to deflect feeling the effects of anti-Semitism?
Yes. Remnants of denial and shame. Deny/avoid and you won’t be a target.
Have diaspora Jews simply stopped caring about Israel?
No. Too general. Most still care about Israel.
Jews have a history of scholarship and intellectual debate. Can this contribute to Jews taking a “devil’s advocate” approach to Israel?
Definitely. Jews tend to overanalyze and sometimes suffer the “paralysis of analysis.” Jewish culture and tradition encourages poring over every possibility and seeing all arguments from all sides.
Several Jewish U.S. lawmakers boycotted Prime Minister Netanyahu’s speech to Congress earlier this year. To what do you attribute that?
Most likely party loyalty. This is not to say they have not rationalized their positions and sincerely believe them, but their primary and immediate loyalty is to their party.
Why doesn’t the prospect of a second holocaust enter into the thinking of Jewish critics of Israel?
Denial. There seems to be an innate feeling that since this happened [once] it could never happen again. Also, they project the comfort and safety they feel in their own lives onto the lives of Israelis.
There are strong anti-Israel sentiments in many universities and student groups across the country.
Academia has been anti-western and anti-Israel for a long time. Professors routinely proffer the plight of the downtrodden third world at the expense of the U.S. and Israel.
Does that fact that Jews are so vastly outnumbered create a subconscious discomfort factor?
Yes. Discomfort with being Jews. This is not felt in Israel, which is why Israelis have so much more self-confidence than Jews in the diaspora.
And yet there are many peace activists in Israel.
Yes. Even Israelis get tired of living under the specter of annihilation and a constant sense of being at war. Many are tired of constantly being labeled as bad guys without understanding where that [criticism] comes from.