LOS ANGELES — As the Israel-Hamas war rages on, reactions from American Jews have been loud and diverse.

Many younger Jews such as Asher Kaplan, a volunteer organizer with the anti-occupation group IfNotNow and the grandson of Holocaust survivors, have come out in opposition to Israel’s reaction to Hamas’ Oct. 7 attacks. He said Israel’s occupation and most-recent bombing campaign in the Gaza Strip amounts to ethnic cleansing and has been saddened to see others in his community in favor of such action. 

“Something that’s been really troubling and disturbing in the days since Hamas’ attack has been the degree to which my Jewish community and voices are seemingly justifying or excusing mass violence on Palestinian civilians,” Kaplan said. 

As a millennial, Kaplan is part of a cohort of American Jews whose views on Israel differ greatly from those of older generations. According to Pew Research data published in 2021, two years before the recent violence, less than half of American Jews aged 18 to 29 felt emotionally attached to Israel, while two-thirds of Jewish adults age 65 and older felt emotionally attached.

As the senior executive of the pro-Israel organization StandWithUs, 74-year-old Gary Ratner dedicates much of his time to Israel-related causes. He said Israel is vital not just to its citizens, but to Jews across the globe.

“I always felt that Israel was the guarantor of American Jewry. Without an Israel, we would have heightened antisemitism and it would be much more difficult to live in the United States as a Jew,” Ratner said.

Pro-Israel rallies and vigils across Los Angeles have attracted Jews of all ages. Ratner said there’s always been vocal support for Israel, but Hamas’ recent attacks inspired more community engagement than ever.

“It woke a lot of people up. I know it from not only my friends, but from the hundreds of calls and inquiries we’re getting from all over the world from people. I think it is part of being Jewish, part of your Jewish identity is supporting Israel and having an affinity for Israel,” Ratner said.

But not every Jewish American agrees, and some activists say Israel is taking advantage of its connection to Judaism and weaponizing Jewish grief.

“Our people, our Jewish people carry incredible trauma, and that trauma is blinding our people now, its blinding our people and it is drawing out a blood thirst that has no justification,” Kaplan said.

Kaplan said the familial trauma of the Holocaust and the Jewish values he was taught growing up guide his opposition to Israel’s actions toward Palestinians. As war continues, he said he’ll keep on advocating for equality, justice and a thriving future for all Palestinians and Israelis for as long as it takes.