What’s a Jew to do?

Almost every single Muslim-led country wants to wipe Israel off the face of the earth. Although the conflict is much, much more complicated than that, this fact is true. Although I dislike the Israeli leadership and I do not support Israeli policy at the moment, Israel cannot disappear. Jews across the world need Israel. There will be somewhere for us to go, always. When we are faced with hatred and prejudice that threatens our lives once again, there is Israel. We will not be alone. The Israeli government has made devastating decisions and many militant Israelis have helped to destroy possible peace, but in the end, Israel needs to exist. For me. And for my daughters.

So. These past few weeks, I have been so conflicted, and I assume that that most Jews are having the same internal struggle. The only Muslim countries that have recognized Israel’s right to exist, are Jordan and Egypt. Syrian refugees are Muslims. The refugees are not terrorists. They are people. Everyday people who need immediate help. These people also happen to be Muslim and most of them probably want Israel to disappear. Jews help people in need. We fight for justice and peace and we defend any people who face the same discrimination and prejudice as we do. I want to protest. I want to protest scary rhetoric aimed at regular, average Muslim people. I teach Muslim children. I’ve hugged them and laughed with them. I help Muslim children create beautiful expressions of themselves in their artwork. I want to protect my students. But what if these same people also want to hurt me?

How do I reconcile these two feelings? What if I want to help but the people I am helping want to destroy my people’s safe place? What if they hate me? What should I do? What should we as Jews do? Any ideas? I am ready to act but I am not sure how to.