Fighting in Gaza continues to rage on. Israel, now engaged in a full-on ground invasion, has engaged in large firefights around key targets in the Gaza Strip. In particular, there has been a large amount of fighting around the Shifa Hospital, where Israel claims that Hamas is hiding a command center, but no evidence has been provided to substantiate the IDF’s claims. Residents in the area also reported heavy airstrikes and shelling, and the hospital continues to be stretched thin on supplies and out of fuel.

The images and accounts of Israeli and Hamas brutality have rippled far beyond Gaza, spurring discourse and demonstrations around the globe. The University of Denver (DU) is no exception. Amid student walkouts and community events organized by Hillel and Muslim Student Association (MSA), Professor Adam Rovner, who teaches Judaic Studies at DU, weighed in on the events in Gaza.

Rovner’s approach to this issue is informed by his background in Judaism and his experiences living in Israel and serving in the Israeli military. Regarding the current conflict, Rovner has made explicitly clear that the claims made by Israel of the respective territories, especially in the West Bank, have little, if anything, to do with the teachings of the Jewish faith.

“It isn’t a religious justification. It’s a political and national justification,” said Rovner. “There are certain aspects of the Hebrew Bible and Rabinic Elements that place Israel as the center of Jewish identity, but that isn’t the main reason why Israel lays claim to these territories.”

Regarding the role of religion in Israel, Rovner also emphasized distinctions between the state of Israel and the Jewish faith.

“Israel was initially founded as a secular and socialist state by Jewish Immigrants, and the Jewish faith has played an increasingly prominent role in the government over time,” Rovner said. “That being said, most of the Jewish population is secular or non-observant.” 

About 40% of Israeli Jews identify as secular, according to 2016 data from Pew Research Center.

Rovner also emphasizes important points on the concept of Palestinian Resistance from a Jewish Perspective.

“In regards to Palestinian liberation, I think there are a lot of different movements, some of which are acceptable, and some of which are antisemitic,” Rovner said. “I believe in the right to have both a flourishing Israel and a flourishing Palestine, and I think one can argue for Palestinian human rights and freedom without being antisemitic. The main redline for me is when people argue for the destruction of the Jewish State.”

Rovner went on to explain that the release of hostages by Hamas and the surrender of Hamas, was in his view, the best path towards a resolution to the current conflict.

As Israeli military operations in Gaza continue to escalate amid a full-scale humanitarian crisis the need for informative and productive discourse will continue to be paramount in paving the way for a better future.

DU Hillel and the Middle Eastern Student Alliance (MESA) did not respond to requests for comment at the time of publication.