Accountability for Leaders... and Protection for All

Author: بسام زكارنة

Waves of anger and condemnation are rising around the world in response to the war crimes and severe human rights violations committed by some Israeli leaders in Gaza and the West Bank in the name of the Jewish state. Amid this outrage, another equally grave danger seeps in: the blurring of the actions of political leaders with the identity of peoples or followers of religions. This conflation opens wide the door to racism and threatens the safety of entire communities, primarily Jewish communities.

It is necessary to remind ourselves of a fundamental truth: Judaism as a religion and culture is not responsible for the decisions of any political leader. Any attempt to criminalize Jews due to the policies of governments or the practices of their leaders is outright injustice and fuel for hatred. Protecting Jews from discrimination and violence is an ethical and legal responsibility that falls upon every community and state. We take pride in having Jewish leaders and religious figures who lead the movement against the genocidal war waged by Israel against the Palestinians in America, Europe, and around the world. There are many Jews, including artists, athletes, and politicians, who reject what Netanyahu and his gang are doing.

However, the greatest danger is not limited to external hate speech; war criminals like Netanyahu and those who justify their crimes represent an existential threat to the future of Jewish communities that exceeds what any anti-Semite does. Associating acts of violence with the Jewish religion puts Jews in a precarious position and undermines their social security today and in the future from extremist reactions. Therefore, the efforts to separate religious identity from political actions should be led by credible civil society leaders and religious leaders within their communities. Facing impunity and demanding accountability for accused leaders is not only a legal endeavor; it is also a preventive action to protect the social fabric and the safe existence of Jews.

To promote this principle, it should be recalled that those who commit war crimes or defend them pose a direct practical danger to the future of Jews more than any extremist. It is in the interest of religious and community leaders everywhere to work on separating religion from the actions of political leaders and to declare that Judaism rejects killing, land theft, and occupation in its name. Jews, as previous victims of European terrorism, cannot be used as justification for any criminal acts against Palestinians who have no connection to past events. Demanding legal accountability for those accused of war crimes in Gaza and the West Bank is a protection for everyone, and Jews around the world should reject labeling Israel as a terrorist state in the name of the Jewish state.

The optimal way to achieve a balance between protecting communities and holding perpetrators accountable requires:

1. Independent legal accountability before fair courts, away from political revenge or ideological exploitation.

2. Awareness campaigns within communities to clarify the difference between an ancient religion like Judaism and the policies of a particular government.

3. Support for civil society organizations that document violations and provide support to victims, regardless of their identity.

4. Responsible media discourse that rejects generalizations and protects public debate from sliding into anti-Semitism or any other form of hatred.

Protecting Jews and others from targeting does not contradict the pursuit of justice and accountability for their leaders; rather, they are two sides of the same coin. Demanding accountability from any leader involved in crimes is a protection for the entire future of humanity. When we affirm that the law is above all, we simultaneously affirm that the life of every individual—be they Jewish or non-Jewish—is sacred and must not be violated.