Ethicist: Should I Let Go of My Zionist Friends?
I want to believe my friends are good people, but their Zionism challenges my certainty—especially after two years of Israel’s genocide in Gaza. Should I let go of my Zionist friends as many of them have distanced themselves from me?
Context and Personal Experience
I am a Jewish and anti-Zionist student. Most Zionist friends I grew up with either distanced themselves or stopped talking to me after October 7th, when I voiced my political views more openly. A few Zionist students remain friends with me, but I am increasingly unsure how to manage those relationships.
Reflections on Friendship and Beliefs
My friends are good people, I want to believe, but their Zionism complicates my feelings toward them, particularly given recent events in Gaza. Why do we care about our friends’ beliefs? Simply put, a friend is someone with whom we share a relationship built on mutual affection.
I am a Jewish and anti-Zionist student. Most of the Zionist friends I grew up with either distanced themselves or stopped talking to me entirely after October 7th, when I became far more vocal about my political commitments.
Most simply, a friend is someone with whom we maintain a relationship based on shared affection.
Author’s Summary
Balancing personal relationships amid deep political divides challenges the boundaries of friendship and shared values.