From the Liveblog of
Monday, October 16, 2023
Israeli leftists slam US, European counterparts for not condemning Hamas slaughter
Jeremy Sharon is The Times of Israel’s legal affairs and settlements reporter
More than 60 Israeli-based public intellectuals, peace activists and progressive thought leaders issue a statement expressing concerns over the “inadequate response from certain American and European progressives” regarding the targeting of Israeli civilians by Hamas.
The statement maintains that this reflects a “disturbing trend in the global left’s political culture.”
The statement also warns that “legitimizing or excusing these actions amounts to a betrayal of the fundamental principles of left-wing politics.”
Among the signatories are former Knesset members Taleb el-Sana (Arab Democratic Party), Ibtisam Mara’ana (Labor Party), Mossi Raz (Meretz), and Dov Khenin (Hadash); prominent social activists Ortal Ben Dayan, Alon-Lee Green, Josh Drill, Sally Abed; New Israel Fund executive director Mickey Gitzin, the authors David Grossman, Iris Lael, Yossi Sucary, and Avirama Golan; and academics Prof. Eva Illouz, Dr. Eli Cook, Prof. Danny Gutwein, Dr. Yofi Tirosh, Dr. Ofri Ilany, Dr. Meital Pinto, Dr. Yael Sternhell, Prof. Meir Yaish, Prof. Jonathan Pinto, Prof. Galia Sabar, and Prof. Dani Filc.
The letter comes after the Hamas terror group launched an unprecedented assault on Israeli border communities last week, killing more than 1,300 people, most of them civilians, and taking another 199 hostage.
The Times of Israel Community.