I work for a company that helps supply weapons to, among other countries, Israel.
Im also involved in a bunch of Jewish organizations and several of the people I interact with in these orgs are professional pro-Israel propagandists. Others who aren’t propagandists are ardent supporters of the war. They keep telling me that “Israel needs to do this” and that it will somehow lead to peace.
Not everyone in these orgs are bad, I met tons of great people. But every time Israel comes up, I always just let them go off about how the war is a necessity, and keep my thoughts to myself. I want to be part of the community and I don’t want to say something that will make people dislike me.
This stuff has been bothering me for quite some time and I don’t think I can handle it anymore.
I feel like I’m legit complicit in a genocide. Like those Germans who looked the other way when the Holocaust happened.
Idk if I’ll really go through with it. But I feel like I need to get a new job and find new friends.
As you probably know, I'm former military and currently a cop, and not once have I felt complicit in American Imperialism and abuse of power. No matter how much I dislike it, or if I never joined the force, it wouldn't make a difference. It would continue with or without me.
The opinions of your work associates/friends are in direct conflict with your personal values. You hate the genocide but the sad truth is, it doesn't change what's happening. You can protest, you can donate, you can quit your job, but it will not soak up the blood being spilled. There are people out here lighting themselves on fire in protest of the genocide, but it continues. Do you have to burn to death to not be complicit? Of course not.
The important thing about this is that
you care. Even though you seemingly can't do anything about it, you still care and oppose the genocide. That is enough. It is proof that you are not complicit, and you shouldn't compromise your better values to fit in. You would just be unhappy, and what's the point of having those friends if all it does is make you feel bad and doubt yourself? I also personally don't recommend quitting your job until you have something else that secures your future, unless the work environmentis
that bad. Once you do, leave the place.