Divisions over Gaza war spill into US synagogues, deepening rifts in Jewish communities: report

ISTANBUL

Disagreements within Jewish communities in the US over Israel’s war in Gaza and the humanitarian situation in the enclave are increasingly playing out inside synagogues, deepening internal tensions and polarization, according to US media reporting.

According to The New Yorker magazine, disagreements over Israel and Gaza have become more visible in synagogues across several US states, reflecting broader divisions over political, moral and identity-related questions.

The disputes center on support for Israel, the suffering of Palestinian civilians and how Jewish values should be defined in the context of the war. While some congregants call for unconditional support for Israel, others argue that the scale of civilian suffering in Gaza requires a more critical response.

At Congregation Beth El in New Jersey, member Nathaniel Felder displayed a sign reading, “Starvation Is Against Jewish Values: Our Support of Israel Cannot Be Unconditional,” in response to a synagogue banner saying, “We Stand with Israel and We Pray for Peace.”

Police intervened after a complaint and warned Felder he could not display the sign on synagogue property without permission. Felder later said unconditional support for Israel risked obscuring the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and contradicted core Jewish ethical principles. Synagogue leaders maintained their position, citing the need to preserve unity.

The same synagogue also canceled a planned Shabbat talk by Andrew Willick, who had intended to describe an encounter in the occupied West Bank involving a Jewish settler linked to the demolition of a Palestinian school. Willick said the decision led him to question his understanding of Judaism and Zionism.

The report also said some US rabbis have voiced criticism of Israel’s Gaza assault in private but have been reluctant to do so publicly because of community pressure. Sharon Brous, senior rabbi at the IKAR synagogue in Los Angeles, said criticism in pro-Israel circles is often met with a cycle of defending Israel, deflecting attention and condemning dissent.

In a survey conducted in October, The Washington Post found that 46% of American Jews supported the war in Gaza while 48% opposed it.

The same survey also found that 39% believed Israel had committed genocide, reflecting deep divisions over Israel’s military actions and the humanitarian situation in Gaza within Jewish communities in the US.