I hate war. I mean, who doesn’t hate war? It’s basically young healthy people fighting to the death over causes and political positions they don’t know much about. And they die. And the people they are sent to fight against also die. And all of the innocents, they die, too. Since the brutal attacks of October 7th, survivors occupy my mind daily. First, as a Jew, I cried for the brutal killings of innocents, in the name of holiness. Now, every day has been a new barrage of news with all its perspectives and positions, and more innocents dying.

Last week, Yarden Bibas, Kieth Siegel and Tal Shoham spoke of the horrific treatment they endured over hundreds of days in captivity. Also last week, Gazans took to the streets to protest Hamas, and some being brutally beaten for their participation. And the children, and the deaths — 50,000 deaths. Now, I see how my Jewishness is being used by MAGA to push through hateful agendas and take away one of the most basic rights we have in this country — the right of free speech.

I remember clips of college students fighting against the war in Vietnam and being taken away in handcuffs, bloodied. It’s happening again. And like with all of it that we’ve had to process — it’s complicated. Because some who have been taken into custody are not “simply protesting.” So everyday is a balancing act for me. Compassion for the innocents, and making sense of it all. I hate war.

Veronica Darmon

Northampton