Recognizing complexity

We are undoubtedly coming off a very difficult week: incidents like the attack on La Stampa or the writings on the outside wall of the Monteverde Synagogue in Rome, and even more seriously, on the plaque commemorating Stefano Gay Taché, the child killed in the attack on the Rome synagogue on October 9, 1982, are evidence of a very tense climate, in which values ​​we thought were universally recognized, such as freedom of the press and respect for all religions, are being called into question.
This climate should lead us to unite, to call all those who believe in democratic values, to create a united front against violence and intolerance, beyond differences of opinion, giving rise to a calm and constructive dialogue. It is not helpful to fuel controversy and misunderstanding within this front.
It’s particularly striking to remember that a newspaper like La Stampa, the victim of a despicable attack a few days ago because it was accused of being uncritically pro-Israel, has repeatedly faced the opposite accusation—again recently during the demonstration against anti-Semitism—sometimes with overly exaggerated tones.
In my opinion, we already have enough enemies without needing to invent new ones. Many comments, even in our private chats, tend to oversimplify reality, denying or downplaying its complexity: either you’re on one side or the other, either you think exactly what I think or you’re an enemy (or, if not an enemy, an accomplice of the enemies). Either you’re accused of being uncritically on the side of the most extremist fringes of the current Israeli government, or you’re accused of favoring the pro-Israeli supporters; and very often, as what happened to La Stampa demonstrates (and happens constantly within our communities), you’re accused of both simultaneously. It would be wonderful if we were able to return to peaceful discussions, at least among ourselves. For Judaism, discussion itself is a value.
And it would be wonderful if we were always able to acknowledge complexity, to understand that there are many challenging situations, where we can’t simply say “one way or the other” because there are details that escape us, information that isn’t known or taken into account. Carefully analyze, evaluate exceptions, distinguish between cases that seem similar but perhaps actually differ in a fundamental detail. This too should be a characteristic approach of Jewish culture.

Anna Segre