The MAGA Coalition is breaking apart over Israel. A growing right-wing contingent is criticizing Israel’s policy toward Palestinians and the United States’ nearly unquestioning support of Israel and infusing their critique with a heavy dose of anti-Jewish hatred. The list of influencers taking this posture includes the likes of Tucker Carlson, Candace Owens, Nick Fuentes and Alex Jones.

These commentators combine anti-Jewish conspiracy theories with criticism of Israel. Their posture and ideology muddy the waters of advocacy for Palestinian freedom. 

Make no mistake: These critics of Israel are not allies for Palestinian liberation. They are obstacles. They disregard the nuance that pro-Palestine organizers work hard to emphasize. They do not distinguish between Israel and the Jewish people and thus cause harm to Jews and to Palestinians.

I understand the desire to collect allies and build coalitions. In a world where voices for Palestine are hard to find, it can be tempting to make unholy alliances to gain political power. But focusing on building power will damage our effectiveness. 

The temptation to prioritize political power over moral clarity is not new. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew prophets condemned Israel and Judah for their alliances with foreign powers.

Despite the lure to name White nationalists and antisemites as comrades, I implore you not to fall into this trap. The conflation of Israel and Judaism is a grave mistake and is deeply prejudicial. To be sure, this conflation comes not only from opponents of Israel. Christian Zionists have made the same mistake. Although it should be obvious that the state of Israel does not represent every Jewish person, Christian Zionists have told us that criticizing Israel is the same as being antisemitic. 

This false charge of antisemitism has deterred many of us from offering full-throated advocacy for Palestine. Far-right commentators have filled the space that’s opened up.

For example, I’ve listened to Tucker Carlson debate Mike Huckabee, a self-proclaimed Christian Zionist and the U.S. ambassador to Israel. While Carlson effectively dismantles Christian Zionist eschatology — naming that the biblical Israel has nothing to do with the state created in 1948 — there is nothing novel about his perspective. In fact, Palestinians have been making this argument for decades.

I think Mennonites — who have been allied with Palestine and on the ground there since the Nakba (expulsion of Palestinians when Israel was founded in 1948) — can be an antidote to antisemitism. We have the history and the theology to say something different. But we need the courage to do so. We need to proclaim that all people “from the river to the sea” have a right to dignity.

I long for an Anabaptist church that stands with Palestinians during their darkest hour. I believe we are well on our way to that movement.

I’m grateful for Mennonite Action, MennoPIN and Mennonite Jewish Relations for supporting Palestinian dignity while not compromising Jewish safety. Mennonite Action has been an ally to Palestine while also focusing on antisemitism and the dangers of Christian Zionism. 

We should never compromise Jewish safety for Palestinian freedom. Our liberation is tied together. A free Palestine also means safety and liberty for Jewish people everywhere. That is the vision Jesus offers us in our new humanity. To quote the title of Ben Lorber and Shane Burley’s excellent book on fighting antisemitism, we find “safety through solidarity.”

As the pro-Palestine movement grows, I want Mennonites to be its front light. I am heartened by the growing support for Palestine in local, state and federal politics. Organizers and mobilizers have done commendable work to achieve this. But we will lose our momentum if we compromise our values for the sake of political power. 

My exhortation is to embolden our prophetic voice: Join Mennonite Action; follow MennoPIN; pay attention to Mennonite Jewish relations; emphasize Palestine in your church’s sermons and worship; keep making connections between U.S. and Israeli settler-colonialism.

We’re taking strides toward victory, and the people of Palestine are noticing and are encouraged. We don’t need to widen our coalition to include dangerous, far-right voices. The Holy Spirit is moving through our work and empowering our action.