Last year, campuses were rocked by disruptive pro-Palestinian protests in the wake of the horrific Oct. 7th attacks. Courtyards were flooded with students and faculty shouting “intifada” and “From the River to the Sea,” vandalizing historic buildings with vulgar anti-Israel graffiti, and threatening Jewish and Israeli students. While witnessing one of these demonstrations at Princeton University, where I am a current sophomore, I was told I needed to “learn how to be Jewish” because I showed I supported Israel.
And yet, when I came home, I was met with similar incivility towards differing viewpoints on the conflict. At a Republican rally in Queens, a Pro-Palestine protester was screamed at, while others were allegedly accosted and punched by attendees.
Why have so many people abandoned civil discourse in favor of violence towards those whom they disagree with?
Like many Jewish Democrats, I have felt a sense of dread about the war. Oct. 7th was the bloodiest day for Jews since the Holocaust, and now we’re seeing a protracted conflict with few signs of a peaceful settlement. Far left-wing activists are turning support for Israel into a partisan issue as they seek to wear down Democratic lawmakers into taking polarizing stances. Statements from the fringes of the party make American Jews like myself start to wonder: Is the Democratic Party still for people like me?
But there’s still hope to end the malaise that comes over you every time Israel comes up when talking with a stranger, and the answer is in the way a candidate for New York’s Third Congressional District talks about the issue: Tom Suozzi
Suozzi has been one of Israel’s strongest supporters in Congress. He has consistently supported critical aid to the Jewish State and signed onto every bipartisan piece of legislation to support Israel. His voting record aside, Tom has always been there for the Jewish community, especially in the most difficult of times.
Just last month, Suozzi visited Israel to show his solidarity with the Jewish people. He met with the parents of Plainview resident Omer Neutra, who is still being held hostage in Gaza. He visited Kfar Aza, one of the communities hit hardest during the Oct. 7th terror attack. Tom has been an outspoken and reliable ally to Israel in its fight to eradicate Hamas and return the hostages home safely.
Suozzi has also engaged in meaningful conversations with parties with different perspectives on the conflict. The fact that he has made the effort to reach out to people with differing viewpoints is a symbol of the understanding that current campus politics lacks. He may not agree with them, but he is willing to have that difficult conversation with potential future constituents and understand them on a more human level. Throughout this campaign, he’s engaged with every group he can on the issues that matter to our communities.
There’s been a false dichotomy that has developed in discussions surrounding the war. Many, including activists on college campuses, think that if one feels strongly about something, they are betraying that cause by recognizing other people’s opinions and engaging with “the enemy.” This absurd notion leads to insular communities where activism becomes a measure of how ideologically pure you are. Suozzi’s approach actively fights against the creation of these in-groups; it promotes tolerance and real discussion.
Tom Suozzi is the clear choice in this election for American Jews who support Israel, but also for people who want this conflict to end in a peaceful solution that guarantees the security of the State of Israel and mends the divides at home caused by the hateful displays we have seen over the past few months.
This college student urges you to cast your vote for Tom Suozzi in the Feb. 13 special election.
Aidan Davis
Plainview