TEL AVIV, ISRAEL – JUNE 23: Israelis hold signs as they protest against the Israeli goverment’s plan to annex parts of the West Bank on June 23, 2020 in Tel Aviv, Israel. Defense Minister Benny Gantz, who formed a coalition government with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to break an electoral stalemate, has signaled he will not oppose the prime minister’s unilateral move. (Photo by Amir Levy/Getty Images) Image by Getty Images

Dear Editor,

Regarding Sarah Farb’s recent article on Israel’s looming annexation of Palestinian territory: I get it. I was raised as a Zionist and hung on to that identity for too many years.

I was ignorant. I was brainwashed by my temple, community, and the media. Once I learned the actual history (including several trips to the West Bank and East Jerusalem) of Israel from statehood in 1948 to the present day, I could no longer — not for a minute — stand with Israel.

Forwarding the News

Thoughtful, balanced reporting from the Forward and around the web, bringing you updated news and analysis each day.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

Israel has engaged in an ongoing settler-colonial project and has implemented this program against the Palestinian population in every way imaginable. The plan of formalizing annexation is the most recent tactic. It is clearly wrong!

What will it take, with or without de jure annexation, to make the younger generation stand up for Palestinian human rights? The time is now!

Sincerely,

Susan Etscovitz

A message from our Publisher & CEO Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

With your support, we’ll be ready for whatever 2025 brings.

$36 $500

$120 $180 Other amount