Human Rights Isn’t a Zero-Sum Game

I have never denied the uniqueness of Jewish people's relationship to our ancient homeland.

I take issue with two things: first, the colonial notion that this land is just for Jews and, second, the notion that Jewish self-determination must come at the expense of Palestinian self-determination.

For those who aren’t Jewish or who don’t have ties to the region, it's difficult to explain how deeply personal this conflict is to me--and not just because I have family in Israel.

Growing up, I was taught to think about Jewish safety and self-determination as a zero-sum game, which reproduces a colonial logic. In fact, under international human rights law, Jewish people AND Palestinian people have a collective right to political self-determination.

All human beings have equal rights, dignity, and value.

I stand in solidarity with both Palestinian and Israeli people because a commitment to equality, mutual recognition, and freedom is at the core of my Jewish values.

[Image credit: Palestine mural from Verso Books’s website, “Palestinian Solidarity Reading List” https://tunmpvtomsbvfoghffvd.versobooks.com/lists/5078-palestinian-solidarity-reading-list]