In certain Jewish families, advocating for Palestine causes tension and disagreement.

On a chilly December day during the Christmas holidays, Dalia Sarig’s 80-year-old father arrived at her residence in Vienna after she returned from a ski trip. His visit was to retrieve her stepsister, who had joined the family for vacation. Deep down, Sarig felt this would be her final encounter with her father, given the mounting political tensions between them.

In a moment of emotional farewell, Sarig embraced her father, fully aware that this goodbye could signify an irrevocable end to their relationship. A pro-Palestinian activist at 56, she found herself at odds with most of her Jewish relatives, who supported a Zionist ideology that many Palestinians and their advocates view as a source of ongoing suffering.

Sarig had predetermined that her upcoming pro-Palestine demonstration outside the Austrian parliament in January would be a pivotal statement against the actions taking place in Gaza. Fueled by a commitment to human rights and justice, she resolved to speak out, even as she faced the personal repercussions of her activism. Following her interview on local television, she learned that her father had communicated to friends that he felt she was no longer part of his life—a painful severance she had to accept with resignation.

Her mother, residing in Germany, reached out a week later with a message expressing disapproval of Sarig’s political activism. “You’re a traitor. If you change your views, we can return to normal,” the message read. This sentiment of estrangement echoes a broader phenomenon in Jewish families worldwide, intensified by recent geopolitical events.

The October 7, 2023, incursion into southern Israel, which resulted in significant casualties, has exacerbated already fragile family dynamics within Jewish communities, especially among those who hold differing views on the situation in Gaza. Ilan Pappe, a noted critic of Zionism, highlighted a dual phenomenon—while many turned toward more conservative views, a minority of liberal Jews became increasingly critical of Israel’s policies.

Sarig’s family history adds complexity to her current stance. Her ancestors fled Austria during the Nazi annexation in 1938 and later settled in Palestine. Growing up, she celebrated Jewish traditions but was also instilled with a narrative that cast Palestinians in a negative light. However, her life took a turning point while studying politics and Middle Eastern history in Israel, where conversations with a Palestinian professor opened her eyes to a more nuanced understanding of the conflict.

Now disowned by parts of her family, Sarig is focused on maximizing her advocacy efforts for Palestinian rights. Experts have pointed out that the psychological toll of family estrangement—stemming from political disagreements, especially ones as profound as the Israel-Palestine discourse—can lead to significant emotional distress.

As she prepares for a conference of Jewish anti-Zionists in June, featuring notable speakers and activists, Sarig remains resolute in her commitment to advocate for Palestinians. “I’m not the victim,” she asserts, redirecting attention back to those who are suffering the most in Gaza.

The ongoing conflict and its implications reignite discussions on identity, belonging, and the cost of standing up for one’s beliefs, illustrating how deeply personal and communal ties are intertwined with global issues.

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