Ethicist: Should I Let Go of My Zionist Friends?
My friends are kind people, I still want to believe that. Yet their Zionist convictions cloud my certainty—especially after two years of Israel’s actions in Gaza, which many, including myself, view as genocide. This weighs heavily on how I relate to them.
At Harvard Talk, the President of Princeton University stated that colleges should define clear rules regarding the time, manner, and place of protests. Meanwhile, in debates over the future of Harvard Salient, the Board of Directors enlisted legal counsel. Cambridge’s City Council elections brought two challengers alongside seven incumbents. Leaders at Harvard’s Institute of Politics also remembered Mayor Setti Warren for his rare dedication to public service. Additionally, investor Kevin O’Leary judged six Harvard startups during a competition at HBS.
Personal Reflection
I am a Jewish, anti-Zionist student. Many Zionist friends I grew up with have withdrawn or cut ties since October 7th, when I began to voice my political beliefs more openly. I remain close to a few of them but struggle to understand how to manage these friendships now.
My friends are good people, I want to believe, but their Zionism taints my certainty of that — especially after two years of Israel’s genocide in Gaza.
Understanding Friendship and Belief
Why do we care about our friends’ beliefs? At its core, friendship is sustained by mutual care and shared affection, even when convictions begin to divide us.