(JTA) – Brooklyn artist Zoe Buckman, known for her Instagram following, recently criticized both critics of Israel and supporters of Israel for their responses to the Oct. 7 atrocities committed by Hamas. Following the Israeli strike on a displaced persons camp in Rafah that resulted in numerous civilian casualties, Buckman and other pro-Israel advocates expressed horror and condemnation.
Various perspectives were shared on social media, with some emphasizing Hamas’ role in starting the conflict and others highlighting the tragic loss of civilian lives. Public figures like Piers Morgan and Avi Mayer expressed dismay at the civilian casualties and called for an end to the ongoing war.
While Israeli officials defended the IDF campaign in Rafah as necessary to eliminate Hamas’ fighting force, critics within Israel, such as Hen Mazzig, acknowledged the tragedy of civilian deaths and emphasized the importance of recognizing the humanity of all individuals affected by the conflict.
Despite differing opinions on the Israeli strike, there was a consensus among many voices in Israel and beyond calling for an end to the violence and a return to humanity in the midst of the conflict. The incident also sparked backlash against right-wing extremists who celebrated the civilian deaths.
The aftermath of the Rafah strike brought together individuals who may not always agree on political issues, as seen in the shared support for a drawing by Egyptian artist Yassin Mohammed depicting the horror of the situation. Critics of the war effort, such as Israeli comedian Noam Schuster-Eliassi, called for an end to the violence and the protection of innocent lives.
Alana Lindsay, a relative of hostages held in Gaza, and Zoe Buckman, who typically speaks out against antisemitism, also shared the sentiment of stopping the “death machine” and bringing an end to the suffering in the region.