Originally posted on Forbes by Rebekah Bastian, on October 17, 2023
The conflict between Israel and Hamas is not only wreaking havoc on the lives of those directly impacted, but it’s also having a profound impact on Israeli, Palestinian, Jewish and Muslim people worldwide. The complex history and latest violence has given rise to polarized perspectives and commentary. However, at the core of all this are human beings who deserve to be heard and supported.
Navigating this heartbreaking and divisive situation can leave many at a loss for how best to support their impacted friends and colleagues.
To help guide those good intentions, I connected with several Israeli, Palestinian, Jewish, and Muslim Americans. They shared their thoughts, feelings, and preferred forms of support during these challenging times, as well as their recommendations for nonprofit organizations that friends and allies may consider financially supporting. While each had a different perspective, the desire for empathy was universal.
Stephanie Nadi Olson, Founder of We Are Rosie
“As a Palestinian who has often been scared to openly embrace my heritage at work for fear of discrimination, I want to concurrently scream into the void that we should be demanding the stop of Palestinian genocide which our U.S. government is funding, embrace my Jewish friends who are also living through great fear and suffering right now, and keep my mouth shut altogether out of fear that I will say or do something that could jeopardize the ability of the team around me to succeed in their work. There are no fun or easy options for Palestinians at the moment.
“Please check on your colleagues, even if you don’t know what to say. If nothing else, say ‘I see you in your suffering.’ Remind them that you see them as human, and give them the grace they deserve as they watch their world fall apart in real-time while trying to work.”
Nonprofit of choice: Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund