Email from Zionist Organization of America   ZIONIST ORGANIZATION OF AMERICA IN THE MEDIA ZOA Natl Board VP Dr. Arthur Kook Quoted in NJ Paper On Gaza   Who’s to Blame for Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza? The Question Is Dividing North Jersey Jews "The wrong party is being blamed. Every bit of suffering in Gaza is the result of Hamas. There's been an incredible amount of humanitarian aid and food shipments that have been sent and, unfortunately, much of it has been taken and hoarded by Hamas," said Dr. Arthur Kook, vice president of the Zionist Organization of America's national Board. By Deena Yellin (August 6, 2025 / NorthJersey.com) As images depicting famine in Gaza capture the public's attention — and intensify criticism of Israel — American Jews are reacting with a mixture of sorrow, frustration and defiance. North Jersey is home to one of the country's largest Jewish populations, many with strong ties to Israel. But there is growing concern — even among those who back Israel's right to defend itself against aggressors — about what many call a humanitarian crisis. There is little consensus in the local Jewish community about Israel's actions in Gaza. Left-leaning Jews said they were pained by images of suffering among Palestinians and urged Israel's government to do more to help civilians. Those on the right blamed Hamas, not Israel, with some suggesting that the group orchestrated the famine. "I'm aghast at the suffering," said Dr. Arthur Kook of Englewood, a frequent visitor to Israel whose nephew fought in Gaza for months after the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas terror attack. But Kook, a member of an Orthodox synagogue, said the wrong party is being blamed. "Every bit of suffering in Gaza is the result of Hamas. There's been an incredible amount of humanitarian aid and food shipments that have been sent and, unfortunately, much of it has been taken and hoarded by Hamas," said Kook, national board vice president of the Zionist Organization of America, a pro-Israel organization. Rabbi Anat Katzir of Kol Dorot, a Reform Jewish synagogue in Oradell, said Hamas bears blame for the nightmare of some 50 hostages still being held, alive or dead, in Gaza. But Israel's government cannot be absolved of responsibility for the territory's "humanitarian crisis," she added. "While I don't have any way of knowing exactly how much food is supplied or passes through from Israel or how much of it is being held from the people of Gaza by those in control over the distribution, it's not the consequential question for me," Katzir said. "There is no order of priority. One crisis is not more important than the other, neither is justified by my values, and both demand immediate intervention and solution." Continue Reading   Share This Email Share This Email Share This Email   DONATE   www.zoa.org   Copyright © Zionist Organization of America 2025. All rights reserved. Zionist Organization of America | 633 Third Ave 31 B | New York, NY 10017 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice