Gaza political group Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel Oct. 7, which led to Israel’s retaliation. This situation reflects a deeper issue taking place all over, including right here in Missouri.
Hamas attacked Israel during the end of the Jewish High Holy Days. According to the University of Colorado Boulder, “These holidays commemorate concepts such as renewal, forgiveness, freedom and joy.”
The day of the Hamas attack also marked the 50th anniversary of the Yom Kippur War. According to History Channel, “On Oct. 6, 1973, hoping to win back territory lost to Israel during the third Arab-Israeli war, in 1967, Egyptian and Syrian forces launched a coordinated attack against Israel on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.”
This conflict reflects a deeper issue going on throughout the world today: religious discrimination.
Religious discrimination is a growing problem in the United States and is leading to an increase in religious-based hate crimes.
The California State University, San Bernardino website put out a 2023 report to the nation about the issue. It reported that a 2022 survey showed hate crimes were up 27% in 17 major U.S. cities studied. Jewish hate crimes saw a 28% increase, Muslim hate crimes saw a 16% increase, and “Other” religions saw a 117% increase. Members of the Jewish faith were the most targeted, with 470 reported hate crimes against them.
While one may not see these issues at Webster, they are still prevalent here at the high school.
“Last year, a kid also drew a swastika on his arm and chased me around with it, which because we were like mutuals, I wasn’t completely offended, but it was definitely weird. I feel like I’m kind of desensitized to it,” an anonymous Jewish student said.
“I personally have just been more quiet about being Jewish. I’ve mostly just kept to myself more, and before I tried to keep to myself a little bit, but now I just don’t talk about it at all,” another anonymous Jewish student said.
“I did have one student who is Jewish who was in a social studies class, and they were talking about the current issues going on which was leaving her a little uncomfortable, so I just provided her a safe space to decompress,” counselor Bianca Haghighi said.
One can make sure to educate themselves about religious conflicts going on in the United States and throughout the world. There are news sites such as BBC News or NBC News one can use to follow religious discrimination stories.
If one witnesses religious discrimination, they can stand with the person being discriminated against. In addition, one can donate or volunteer with organizations such as the Anti-Defamation League or the American Civil Liberties Union, both which work to fight against religious discrimination.
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