Michael Balaban’s Update on the War in Israel

February 9, 2024

– Michael Balaban
President & CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia

For the past four months, I have been holding my breath and holding onto hope. But I was brought back to reality on Tuesday with the devastating news that at least 32 of the 136 hostages – more than one fifth of those being held captive in Gaza – were confirmed dead by the IDF. Each loss of life feels intensely personal.

The day before hearing this news, hundreds of protestors amassed for an unauthorized and unpermitted demonstration on the steps of the Capitol Rotunda in Harrisburg, calling for Pennsylvania’s Treasury Department to “divest from genocide” – in particular, from its 30 year plus investment in Israel bonds that proudly stands at $56 million after PA Treasurer Stacy Garrity increased the state’s share by $20 million post-Oct. 7.

I want to take a moment to thank Treasurer Garrity for standing with Israel and standing against these rallies of hate.

Even as we’re reminded everyday of the rise in anti-Jewish sentiments in America – just recently, a local organization was vandalized with “Free Gaza” graffiti – we must remember that support on the local and national level does exist, and exists loudly, for Israel and the Jewish people.

And that is why it’s important to come together in this time of heightened threat, as we seek our strength in numbers and knowledge by learning from our collective history. That’s why the Jewish Federation is partnering with Secure Community Network and HBO – along with over 30 official Supporters of congregations and organizations – on Feb. 21 for a film screening of  “A Tree of Life: The Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting,” followed by a panel of experts and survivors from the deadliest massacre of Jews in America. I hope you will join me for this powerful event as well as for one of the security trainings we will be hosting for the public the following day.

As we enter Shabbat this week, I will light an extra candle to pray that each of the 32 victims is returned home with dignity and that the remaining hostages are released immediately. As we wait to hear about the condition of the 104 other hostages, we must continue to advocate for them and to speak the truth about Israel, even through our mourning. Each human life lost, each person suffering because of this war, is a tragedy, no matter their religion or ethnicity.

On Sunday, I will be returning to Israel to join with our overseas families and partners to embrace them with support from our community. As this crisis evolves, the need for our bearing witness continues. I can only hope our fellow Americans, such as those protesting in Harrisburg, will be willing to listen to the facts of this crisis instead of the reverberations of their inaccurate echo chambers.

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