This piece is part of a series of brief essays by Northern California high school and college students who describe themselves as pro-Israel. As Yom HaAtzmaut (Israel’s independence day) approaches, J. asked them to write about their experiences since the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas massacre in Israel that started the ongoing war.
Throughout the past year and a half, labels such as “Zionist,” “pro-Israel” and “pro-Palestinian” have been manipulated to fit certain narratives and create exclusionary spaces. This has been especially prevalent on college campuses and has in turn affected me as a Jewish and Israeli college student. Being pro-Israel is not a statement meant to incite hate or argument, but rather a representation of the love I have for my country and my people’s homeland.
Prior to Oct. 7, 2023, it had never occurred to me to define myself as “pro-Israel.” Growing up visiting family in Israel and celebrating Israeli culture made it an undeniable truth that I love this country. My support for Israel was never stigmatized, and I was never made to feel like I had to defend my connection to the land.
That all changed after the tragic events of Oct. 7. The legitimacy of Israel, the place I had held so dearly throughout my life, was suddenly questioned. I felt as if a part of me was under attack.
Instead of succumbing to the hatred, I realized this was a cause I was willing to fight for. My passion for my culture was not extinguished; rather, my pro-Israel identity grew stronger. Israel is not only home to the majority of my family, but also served as a sanctuary for my grandparents when they were forced to flee their countries. Israel welcomed my grandmother when she faced religious persecution in Morocco and became a safe haven for my grandfather after he survived the Holocaust. Israel has always been there for my family, and it is now my turn to step up and defend my country.
My pro-Israel identity is fundamentally rooted in my belief in Israel’s right to exist as a sovereign, democratic state and to defend itself from hateful entities. By standing with Israel, I stand with the people who paved the way for me to feel confident living as a proud Jewish woman. Being part of a people who have survived countless attacks and have returned to our homeland after years of living in diaspora fills me with immense pride.
Jewish resilience and strength guide me as I continue to navigate a world that doesn’t seem to understand the complexities of my identity. Being pro-Israel means I am joining generations of people who have fought for the continued existence of the Jewish people, and this knowledge makes me confident in my commitment to this community.