Towards Healing: Reflections on Justice, Truth, and Reconciliation in Palestine
The crisis in Palestine is not just a political struggle; it is a profound moral and human tragedy. The decadeslong oppression of Palestinians, marked by occupation, displacement, and apartheid, demands a reckoning rooted in truth and justice. Without acknowledging the historical and ongoing injustices, there can be no path to healing, neither for Palestinians nor for Israelis.
For too long, Zionism has dictated the framework of this conflict, presenting itself as the unquestionable right of the Jewish people to self-determination while systematically denying the same to Palestinians. From childhood, Israeli society is conditioned to see its survival as dependent on militarization and the subjugation of other people.
Fear is embedded in education and reinforced by a political structure that thrives on division. Fear of disappearing, fear of annihilation, fear of losing what Zionists believe is rightfully theirs. A deeply rooted fear views any challenge as an existential threat. But fear cannot be the foundation of a sustainable future.
Healing requires truth. The world must recognize the reality of Palestinian suffering—not as an unfortunate byproduct of war but as the deliberate outcome of policies aimed at erasing Palestinian existence. The Nakba, the ongoing occupation, the blockade of Gaza, and the apartheid system must be acknowledged for what they are: crimes against humanity. Equally, Israelis must confront the deception that their security depends on Palestinian oppression. A future built on fear and dominance is not a future at all.
Healing requires justice. The right of return for Palestinian refugees, full equality under the law, and an end to apartheid and occupation are non-negotiable if peace is to be more than an illusion. Justice is not a punishment; it is the only way forward. Just as South Africa emerged from apartheid, so too must Palestine and Israel forge a new path—one that respects the rights and dignity of all.
Healing requires solidarity. Jewish voices of conscience have begun to speak out, rejecting Zionism’s use of their identity to justify oppression. The movement for Palestinian freedom is not a movement against Jewish people—it is a movement against injustice. The world must amplify those voices and stand firmly for human rights, as it did against apartheid in South Africa.
A just peace is possible.But it demands courage—the courage to see truth, to dismantle systems of oppression, and to imagine a future where Palestinians and Israelis live with equal rights, dignity, and security. The destruction in Gaza represents a crisis of humanity in a silent world witnessing a genocide unfolding there. The ability to empathize with the suffering of another human being is profoundly humane; it makes the distinction between a system that connects shaving inside a pulsing hearth and one that is based on the not empathic connections made by microchips and algorithms.
The lack of empathy makes us complicit in the suffering, causing the loss of many innocent lives, as exemplified by what is taking place in Gaza. The path to a sustainable world begins when our personal healing aligns with the healing of humanity, acknowledging that, as human beings, we all share the common pursuit of hope, peace, and belonging to the human community in our diverse lives.
Voices for Truth, Peace, and Justice
Gabor Maté: Gaza, Zionism, and the ‘exploitation’ of Jewish trauma | The Take
“My name is Gabor Maté. I’m a retired physician and the author of five books, published in over 40 languages. I speak internationally on issues of health, the unity of body and mind, stress, child development, addiction, and trauma. I also address the Israel-Palestine issue, which is very close to my heart… Back in the early 1960s, I was a leader in a Zionist youth group. At a conference, I was assigned a task: how to counter ‘Arab propaganda’ on university campuses. To do that, I needed to understand what that ‘propaganda’ was.
So, I started researching. And in doing so, I discovered perspectives I’d never encountered before—particularly from Jewish thinkers who had long questioned Zionism.
Then, in 1967, during the Six-Day War, Israel’s actions were framed as self-defence against Arab aggression. But at the same time, I was watching the Vietnam War unfold. The U.S. was massacring civilians, destroying villages, and using chemical weapons—while the media justified it all.
And suddenly, I saw the same media that had lied about Vietnam enthusiastically cheering on Israel.
That raised a question for me: why would the same outlets that downplayed U.S. war crimes be so eager to support Israel?
So I dug deeper. And by the end of that year, I realized the 1967 war had not been a defensive war—it was a war of expansion, a way to further the Zionist project. That’s when I truly began to study Zionism’s history.
Without historical context, October 7th is framed as just another act of antisemitic hatred. It reactivates old trauma. And of course, the attack itself—where civilians and soldiers alike were killed—was traumatic for Israelis and Jews worldwide. But trauma isn’t the only factor at play here. Statements like “this was the worst attack on Jews since the Holocaust”—as if it were an attack on Jews as a people rather than on a state and its military—are a deliberate misuse of Jewish trauma. A cynical one. Because October 7th wasn’t an attack on Jews for being Jewish. It was an eruption against decades of occupation and siege. That’s not to justify specific acts of violence that day. But it wasn’t an antisemitic attack—it was an attack on an occupying power.
The path of healing starts with the question: Do you really want to find compassion? Because if you do, stop using words like ‘animals.’ But if what you actually want is to express your rage, I hear you. I understand that anger. I’d also ask: Are you sure you know what you’re talking about? Because these days, if you don’t, it’s often by choice. If your worldview excludes any facts that might challenge your position, that’s not an accident. That’s a decision. When people like me speak, those who are deeply identified with Israel and Zionism don’t see us as fellow Jews with a different perspective. To them, we’re ignorant, traitors, or insane. But this isn’t really about facts or history—it’s about deep emotional attachments. The Zionist project is tied to Jewish identity in ways that make it almost impossible for some people to question it. And I understand that.”
NO OTHER LAND: an Unflinching Look at Life Under Israeli Military Occupation
NO OTHER LAND, directed by Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Basel Adra, and Hamdan Ballal, won European Documentary 2024! It was also the official selection for TIFF ’24 and nominated for Best Documentary at the 2025 Oscars.
Basel Adra has been documenting the expulsion and decimation of his community in the small mountain village of Masafer Yatta in the southern West Bank since childhood. Adra’s early memories as a child are plagued with images of Israeli soldiers raiding his home, witnessing his father Nasser, a Palestinian activist, being arrested, and the ongoing Israeli military occupation and settler aggression. By picking up his camera, Adra continually speaks truth to power as he tirelessly documents his reality: impending forced removals, bulldozers destroying homes, and the violence that inevitably follows. The film takes place prior to October 7, 2023, when attention to the region was in shorter supply.
During Adra’s fight to preserve his mountain village community, he forms an unexpected friendship and alliance with Israeli journalist Yuval Abraham, who joins his resistance efforts. It is clear this bond is not one grounded in equity, with Adra living under occupation and Abraham’s freedom of movement. Yet the relationship that develops between the two—showing deep care, humanity, and above all how solidarity can break down barriers, even during occupation—is at the heart of this piece.
Made under extreme duress and unimaginable production hardships, this film comes from a Palestinian-Israeli activist collective formed of Adra, Abraham, Rachel Szor, and Hamdan Ballal. For its world premiere at the Berlin Film Festival, No Other Land earned the top documentary jury and audience prizes in the prestigious Panorama section. This film would stand out in any year, but now it feels even more urgent.” – THOM POWERS
Breaking from Zionism: Jewish Voices for Justice
Discover the powerful stories of a Rabbi at Stamford Hill, Israeli historian Ilan Pappe, former Israeli human rights activist Avigail Abarbanel, and former Israeli negotiator Daniel Levy. They have dared to break free, challenge the narrative, and stand for truth and justice. TRT World’s exclusive documentary “Breaking from Zionism: Jewish Voices for Justice” exposes how Zionist ideology has been deeply ingrained in Israeli society, using fear to maintain control.
Peter Beinart on "Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza" & Trump's Call for Ethnic Cleansing
“Zionism is not about Jewish spirituality; it is a political movement that exploits religious symbols for its own benefit while ignoring core Jewish teachings like “Thou shalt not kill” and “Thou shalt not steal.” Zionism is a state ideology that permeates every aspect of life. From kindergarten onward, children are immersed in Zionist narratives. The nationality law dictates that between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean, only one nation—the Jewish nation—can exist. This law demands continued colonization, settlement, and the rejection of anyone who is not Jewish. The education system traumatizes its students, exposing them from a young age to images of the Holocaust and instilling a sense of fear: “If Israel didn’t exist, this could happen to you.” The entire population is kept in a state of fear, convinced that survival depends on a strong and militarized Israel. Israel has never been willing to accept Palestinians as they are, nor has it acknowledged the crimes of the Nakba and the forced expulsion of Palestinians. Zionism resists any meaningful introspection, portraying itself as beyond question—simply the Jewish people’s right to self-determination. But how can that justify war crimes against Palestinian civilians under what is now legally recognized as apartheid by international human rights organizations and the International Court of Justice? The ideology driving the state does not create a sustainable future, not for Palestinians and not for Jews. Today, it is unravelling. That is why some of the loudest voices against it are Jewish people saying, “Not in my name.”
Palestinians in Gaza aren’t originally from Gaza. They are the descendants of refugees expelled from what is now Israel. They live in what Human Rights Watch calls an “open-air prison.” If we want to prevent another October 7th, we have to address that underlying oppression. Violence begets violence. When people are subjected to structural violence, everyone ultimately becomes less safe.
Israel is a state that systematically denies millions of people basic rights. And Jewish people are asking: What does it mean to support that?Some double down—they refuse to acknowledge what’s happening. Others are leaving the Jewish community altogether because they feel there’s no space for them if they criticize Israel. But I believe there’s another path: reclaiming our Jewishness in a way that is rooted in justice, ethics, and solidarity.
This means an end to apartheid, an end to occupation, and full equality for all people between the river and the sea. It means the right of return for Palestinian refugees, as guaranteed under international law. It means holding those responsible for war crimes accountable, no matter their nationality. And it means acknowledging the deep wounds inflicted on generations of Palestinians and committing to a future where no child, Israeli or Palestinian, grows up in fear.
History will judge us for where we stood in this moment. Will we continue to be complicit in the oppression of an entire people, or will we stand for justice, as so many did against apartheid in South Africa? The choice is ours. Only through truth and equality can we hope to break the cycle of violence and build a future of dignity, peace, and reconciliation for all.
This means an end to apartheid, an end to occupation, and full equality for all people between the river and the sea. It means the right of return for Palestinian refugees, as guaranteed under international law. It means holding those responsible for war crimes accountable, no matter their nationality. It means acknowledging the deep wounds inflicted on generations of Palestinians and committing to a future where no child, Israeli or Palestinian, grows up in fear.”
Israelism: The awakening of young American Jews | Featured Documentary
In the aftermath of the October 7 attacks, many young Jews have begun dissociating themselves from Zionism, emphasizing their religious identity over nationalist aspirations. For them, Judaism is rooted in faith rather than territorial claims. To explore these issues further, watch this documentary, “Israelism.”
'Israelism': How deep do indoctrination and Israeli army glorification go? | Talk to Al Jazeera
As the film “Israelism” faces opposition from groups trying to cancel its screenings, its protagonist, Simone Zimmerman, and its co-director and producer, Erin Axelman, talk to Al Jazeera.
"Palestinians are Right to Resist," a Conversation with Israeli Soldier | Empire Files Interviews
“I have to step outside and start talking with the world about what’s happening. That’s the only way to truly live in a place—not just for Palestinians, but for me as well. I don’t want to live in an ethnocracy or in a state that prioritizes a privileged Jewish life over others. This realization drives me to want something different for my children. I want them to grow up in a place where they don’t have to oppress anyone, where they don’t have to be soldiers. I suppose that’s what pushed me to do what I’m doing.”
In a rare, candid conversation, on March 20, 2017, Abby Martin interviews a former Israeli Army combat soldier who served as an occupier in Palestine’s Hebron City. Eran Efrati spent years as a sergeant and combat soldier in the Israeli military but has since become an outspoken critic of the occupation of Palestine and Israeli apartheid.
March 11th, 2024: Jonathan Glazer in his Oscar Acceptance Speech
The ‘Zone of Interest’ Jewish director Jonathan Glazer spoke out about Israel’s weaponization of the Holocaust in his Oscar acceptance speech.
“To my producers, actors, and collaborators—every choice we made was meant to reflect and confront us in the present, not to say, “Look what they did then,” but rather, “Look what we do now.” Our film shows where dehumanization leads at its worst. It has shaped both our past and our present. Today, we stand here as men who reject the hijacking of Jewish identity and the Holocaust to justify an occupation that has led to conflict for so many innocent people.
Whether the victims of October 7th in Israel or those suffering from the ongoing attacks in Gaza, all are victims of dehumanization. How do we resist? Alexandra Bystroń, the girl who glows in the film as she did in life, chose to resist. I dedicate this to her memory and her courage. Thank you.”
Jewish People Say NO to Ethnic Cleansing
President Donald Trump said on February 4, 2025, that the United States would “take over” the Gaza Strip and that the Palestinian population there would need to be moved out. In response to that, more than 350 rabbis, alongside Jewish creatives and activists, signed a full-page ad in The New York Times condemning President Donald Trump’s proposal. The ad features signatories from diverse Jewish denominations and notable figures such as Ben Cohen, Debra Winger, Gabor Mate’, Joaquin Phoenix, Jonathan Glazer, Peter Beinart, Rabbi David Mivasair, and more than 350 Rabbis.
As a Jew, you can add your voice by signinghere to say no to ethnic cleansing: https://www.saynotoethniccleansing.org/
Prominent US Jews Reject Trump's Ethnic Cleansing Plan -
— Rabbi David Mivasair🔥 (@Mivasair) February 14, 2025
Jewish businessmen, entertainers, journalists and religious figures signed a full-page ad in The New York Times saying, “Jewish people say NO to ethnic cleansing!” https://t.co/wODu5B5OKm
As Jews for Shared Safety, we know our history demands that we take a stand against ethnic cleansing—wherever it happens. Trump wants to erase Palestinians from Gaza. We must be louder than ever.
— IfNotNow🔥✡️ (@IfNotNowOrg) February 13, 2025
350+ rabbis & Jewish figures are taking a stand in a historic NYT ad rejecting his… pic.twitter.com/onWoRIYIWH
Jewish People Say No to Conflating Judaism with Antisemitism
Zionism, a political movement advocating Jewish nationalism and statehood, has been deliberately fused with Judaism, a religion and cultural identity. This calculated conflation operates as a shield for the Israeli state, insulating it from accountability while promoting the myth that Israel is the ultimate safeguard of Jewish survival post-Holocaust.
However, criticizing Israel’s leadership and its actions is not an act of antisemitism. To claim otherwise is both deceitful and dangerous. Under the guise of “self-defence,” Israel commits war crimes, crimes against humanity, and what can only be described as acts of genocide. These atrocities are carried out in the name of all Jews, a narrative that devastates the Palestinian people and undermines the moral and cultural legacy of the Jewish community. Far from ensuring safety, this alignment with violence makes Jewish people more vulnerable globally.
Jewish Council of Australia
This week marks one year since we launched the Jewish Council of Australia with our op-ed in The Age, declaring that as Jews, we support Palestinian human rights and don't accept that criticism of Israel is antisemitic.
— Jewish Council of Australia (@jewishcouncilAU) February 14, 2025
Since launching we have witnessed something remarkable: an… pic.twitter.com/8DzLPSUq8W
Our core principles
We are proud Jewish people in Australia with diverse histories, traditions and politics. We are committed to the values of tikkun olam (repairing the world), calling out injustice, challenging assumptions and promoting debate.
We reject the assertion that Jews and the State of Israel are one and the same, or that all Jewish people support, without criticism, the actions of the Israeli government and military.
Pro-Israel Jewish organisations, that do not recognise the diversity of views among Australian Jews, do not speak for us.
While we have diverse views on many issues, we are united in our opposition to Israel’s continued policies aimed at the destruction of Palestinian life. We are opposed to the Israeli occupation and the prioritisation of the rights of Jewish people over the rights of Palestinians.
Jewish safety is not at odds with Palestinian freedom. We support calls for freedom, equality and justice for all Palestinians and Israelis. We reject any claim that this call is racist or antisemitic, or that it is antisemitic to criticise Israel’s conduct.
Racism and antisemitism are on the rise in Australia. The only way to effectively fight antisemitism is by committing to work in solidarity with other groups facing bigotry and discrimination to fight all forms of racism.
(https://www.jewishcouncil.com.au/supporters)
Journalist Samira Mohyeddin's Reports: Toronto Jewish Community
Toronto’s Jewish community members denounce some @tdsb trustee’s depiction of their community & their sheer ignorance with respect to the differences between antizionism & antisemitism. They vow to continue to challenge a report & proposal that conflates the two. @JewsSayNo 👇 https://t.co/CtV6HCH6ox pic.twitter.com/vz6j46Lro9
— Samira Mohyeddin سمیرا (@SMohyeddin) February 14, 2025
A society that prohibits the capacity to speak in truth extinguishes the capacity to live in justice
The "Threads of Justice"
“Threads of Justice” is my pathway of 7 articles to explore how justice and peace are not single, fixed ideas but rather a tapestry woven from countless interconnected strands—history, culture, power dynamics, human experience, and values.
In this series, each thread represented a perspective, a voice, or a force that shapes the broader story of justice and the pursuit of peace in our world. Together, these threads reveal the intricate connections that bind us and guide us toward understanding. We’re called to zoom out—to see how historical power dynamics and the flow of information influence our understanding of justice, solidarity, and the interconnectedness of all societies. These threads invite you to think critically about what drives conflict and, more importantly, how we might create space for peace. I hope it might help you shape your perspective in this moment of history. My hope is for a world where peace, not war, defines our relationships.
Here are the links to the previous articles
Part 1: A Tapestry of Interconnected Strands
Part 2: The Colonial Project: How History Shaped the Genocide in Gaza
Part 3: Global Justice at Risk: Gaza, the ICC, and Power’s Grip
Part 4: Gaza: The Cyber Nexus of Modern War Crimes
Part 5: Behind Democracy’s Veil: Forces Driving Peace and War
Part 6: Propaganda in Modern Warfare
