In Conversation: Israel, Gaza, and the 2024 Election

An Israeli runs to a shelter in Ashkelon on Oct. 7. Tamir Kalifa—The New York Times/Redux

Hi everyone! It’s lovely to be with you this week after a summer break. I’m back with a topic that has been both fascinating and appalling to me for as long as I can remember. It’s a topic that is hard to categorize and even harder to explain, but I think the proper heading is: The Israel/Gaza Conflict and its Effect on the US.

I’ve talked about this before, about antisemitism and hate crimes, acts of terrorism against American Jews, and about the events of October 7^th, 2023, when the terrorist organization Hamas attacked and killed 1200 people in Israel and captured over 100 hostages.

Since October 7^th, I have been shocked at the protests on college campuses and elsewhere and horrified by violence directed toward American Jews who have nothing to do with the conflict in the Middle East. As a life-long student of American politics, I’ve been particularly curious about the effect on the 2024 Presidential election, and particularly the NON-selection of Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro as Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate. Was at least part of the reason he was not chosen because of his Jewish faith and background? Maybe not at all?

As someone from a Christian faith background and raised in the Bible Belt, I knew I wanted to get a more educated perspective on this issue. So, about three weeks ago, along with my husband and Federal lobbyist Eric sat down with our good friend Brian, who, as you will hear in the interview, has much experience on this topic from both a faith and political background.

We had such a great conversation; I hope you will agree. But, before I play it, I want to tell you that I sat on this interview for over three weeks because I’ve been afraid to send it to you. Two main reasons for this: 1. I know that our community here at the Civilian is small, but I don’t want to get this conversation wrong. As I mentioned, I have been passionately curious about this topic forever, and it means a lot to me. Many people in my life whom I love very much are Jewish. Perhaps this is why I have been so astounded by the threats on the lives of Jewish people in Israel, in the US, and around the world. I do not want to disappoint them.  

Secondly, I’ve always thought part of my job here at The Civilian is to stay unbiased and nonpartisan. I’m obviously very biased on this issue, and it caused me to second-guess my selection of this topic. But I later realized, through much overthinking, that it has never been my job to be unbiased on how we treat each other. I think the substantial value I hold for treating others with love and kindness is part of, if not the main reason, that I am so passionate and interested in this topic.

The State Department categorizes Hamas as a terrorist organization, and I found Hamas’ actions on October 7^th deplorable. I do think that some, if not most, of the actions taken by Israel since then are justified. Yet I also can't entirely agree with everything Netanyahu does, and I certainly do not believe that innocent Palestinians should die. I am solid in this viewpoint, but I must be open and honest about that position.

I also want to note that we had this conversation before Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg-Polin, parents of American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, bravely spoke at the Democratic National Convention and before Hamas brutally murdered Hersh Goldberg-Polin.

You will likely find this conversation between me, Eric and our friend Brian to be an imperfect exchange between friends. We discuss sensitive topics with curiosity and open-mindedness rather than fixed positions. We listen to each other.

We agreed on much of what we discussed, but I still managed to learn a lot about being Jewish in this country. Maybe you will learn something, too. But more than anything, I hope this conversation inspires you to have brave, whole-hearted discussions with those around you.

A big thank you to Brian for sitting down with us. And now, with that long preamble, you can find our chat above. (You can toggle to listen at different speeds, or view an AI-generated transcript if you aren’t able to listen!)

Questions? Comments? Want to reach out? Feel free to reply to this email, comment on this post, or send me an email. Anytime.

Thanks, as always, for being here!

Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg-Polin, parents of Hersh Goldberg-Polin. Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times / Getty