To Be Anti-Genocide Is Not to Be Anti-Semitic
Op-ed from Dr. Joe Golden

Charleston, West Virginia (November 12, 2025) — I am a Jewish American. My grandfather fled Tzarist Russian persecution, and I had relatives who died in the Holocaust. In my upbringing I believed, as did many Jewish Americans, that the creation of the State of Israel would provide a safe place for survivors of the Holocaust and those Jews persecuted in other lands, I now have to admit that the descendents of these same people who found safety in what is now the Israeli nation are witnesses to persecution, ethnic cleansing and genocide perpetrated by the Israeli government against the Palestinian people in Gaza.

Dehumanization of a persecuted group is a basic element that creates the conditions that progress to indiscriminate killing of members who are persecuted. Starvation of a group of people in order to suppress them, is a major tactic of genocidal policies.

The Israeli government, as well as contractors in collaboration with the Israeli government, engage in shooting and killing Palestinians trying to get humanitarian provided food supplies. Deadly bombings in Gaza by the Israeli Defense Forces kill up to 100 people a day, many of whom are children. There is no military goal other than to terrorize and kill Palestinians.

The extremist, fanatical Israeli Settler movement in the West Bank are attacking and sometimes killing Palestinian living there, in order to terrorize them and drive the Palestinians out of their homes and away from the West Bank.

Basic Judaic moral teachings is centered on treating all people equally with consideration and empathy.  To save one person is compared to saving the world.  Since the Holocaust, Jews have taken the moral position not to let genocide be perpetrated again.  Unfortunately, in other countries since then, and now in Palestine, genocidal policies and practice occurs.

There is no homogeneity among Jews.  There are differences in adherence to certain religious customs, there are ethnic and racial groupings, and there are a range of political and social beliefs. There are those that hold to Zionist policies to colonize what was the Palestine Mandate, but there are others who have striven to gain rapport and reproachment with Palestinians.

Unfortunately, there are fanatic groups who view themselves as superior to other Jews and other peoples, and are antagonistic and aggressive to all Palestinians..

Based on moral Judaic teachings, and my own conscience, I am calling on you to OPPOSE the Genocide that the Israeli Government is perpetrating against Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. I also ask you to OPPOSE any further financial support or provision of weapons to the Israeli Government and the IDF.

The United States is complicit in these atrocities by continuing to provide munitions and funds to the Israeli Government, and by so doing are violating deep Judaic moral precepts, and contributing to War Crimes.

It is past time to stand up for the humanity of the Palestinian people and to try to end the destruction of these people.

To oppose the Israeli government does not make one an Anti-semite, nor is compassion and support for the Palestinian people in any way is support for Hamas.