Ethicist, Should I Let Go of My Zionist Friends?

I am a Jewish and anti-Zionist student. Most of the Zionist friends I grew up with either distanced themselves or stopped talking to me entirely after October 7th, when I became far more vocal about my political commitments. I am still friends with a few Zionist students but have become increasingly unsure about how to navigate my relationships with them.

My friends are good people, I want to believe, but their Zionism taints my certainty of that — especially after two years of Israel's genocide in Gaza.

Should I let go of my Zionist friends in the same way that many of them have let go of me? Why do we care about our friends’ beliefs? Most simply, a friend is someone with whom we maintain a relationship based on shared affection.

Contextual Notes

This opinion comes from a student at Harvard who is grappling with the impact of political beliefs on personal relationships.
The reflection occurs amid ongoing controversy about Israel’s actions in Gaza over two years.
The text is part of the Amateur Ethicist series, inviting Harvard Community members to explore moral questions.

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The broader university context includes debates over protest policies and governance, illustrating the tense environment in which these personal dilemmas unfold.

Author’s Summary

The author questions whether to maintain friendships strained by conflicting political views, illustrating the complexity of loyalty and values amid long-standing conflict.

The Harvard Crimson — 2025-11-06