Indigenous nations recognise Israel’s fight for legitimacy

For 14 months, Jews around the world have felt alone. Israel is demonised for fighting a defensive war in the wake of the 7 October attacks, and antisemitism has risen to an alarming level that hasn’t been seen since World War II. Every day brings with it devastating news of another horrific incident somewhere in the world.

But, the reality is that Jews aren’t alone. There’s a growing movement of indigenous nations around the world who are showing their support for Israel and the Jewish people.

Visiting southern Israel earlier this year, Xami Thomas, Regent of the Khoi tribe of South Africa said, “If the Jews aren’t indigenous, then no-one is indigenous.

“Like the Khoi kingdom, there are numerous first nations who support the Jewish nation. There’s a war of antisemitism and misinformation being fought, and the solution is simple – grassroots education and relationship building with Jewish communities. There are many synergies that can be pursued.” Thomas is keen to work with Israel, and is concerned that the anti-Israel rhetoric on social media will influence young members of his community. He stresses the necessity for education.

Ateret Shmuel is the founder and director of Jerusalem-based Indigenous Bridges, a “non-partisan organisation dedicated to the advancement of indigenous communities globally”.

“We started off as a small coalition of Jews, first nations, Kurds, and Native Americans,” Shmuel said, “but we have grown to be a massive team of indigenous representatives from tribes spanning Asia, the Middle East, Australia, Africa, the Pacific Islands, and the Americas. By building relationships between indigenous peoples from various regions, we can foster a stronger, united front against the continuing legacies of imperialism, settler colonialism, capitalist exploitation, and violence.”

Shmuel’s words are echoed by Indigenous Bridges Executive Director Jason Watson. Watson, who is from the Chickasaw Nation, is married to a Jewish woman and lives in Jerusalem.

He’s passionate about teaching about the reality in Israel, especially at a time when buzzwords like “colonial power” and “apartheid” are the norm. “As a citizen of the Chickasaw Nation, I deeply understand the importance of sovereignty, self-determination, and protecting one’s homeland. Indigenous peoples worldwide share a bond of resilience and connection to their ancestral lands, and I see Israel as a fellow indigenous nation returning to its historic roots. Standing with Israel is standing with a people who have faced countless challenges yet remain determined to preserve their identity, culture, and rights. I stand with Israel because I believe in the fundamental right of a people to live in peace and security on their ancestral land.”

Many indigenous leaders in the United States believe there are similarities in the historical experience of Jews and many First Nation communities.

Chief Joseph RiverWind is Arawak Taino from the island of his birth, Boriken (Puerto Rico). He was appointed by his tribal council as a Taino peace chief in 2014 and he serves his people as ambassador of the descendants of Puerto Rico’s First Nations.

“Each person has their own story, their own history, and their own reason why they stand with Israel or why they don’t,” RiverWind said. “I see a story of indigenous people returning home to their ancient lands and wanting to live in peace with all their neighbours. It’s a story of coming back to your sacred places, where your ancestors walked, lived, prayed, and were laid to rest. Your Hebrew language is the language of the land, the speech of the trees, and the songs that the stones sing. The land has come back to vibrant life as her people began coming home to rebuild a place for all nations to live in peace and in a good way. The story of reclamation and restoration for indigenous people is spoken about in many circles. The Jewish people must be a part of the conversation as indigenous people in their own right. There’s no such thing as indigenous solidarity if there’s no voice for the Jewish people. This is one of many reasons why I stand with Israel and her people.

“Resilience is built into your people’s DNA. I see the deeply ingrained generational trauma that has been reawakened in the eyes of the people. I see the pain of feeling alone and rejected, and the haunting question on every Jewish face of ‘why?’. For a brief moment, the world stood together with the Jewish people and for that micro moment in eternity, a pulse of the heartbeat of tikkun olam [healing the world] touched even the hardest of hearts. Through the resurfacing trauma in the DNA; through the soul twisting heartache of the murdered, missing, and hostages; through the heart wrenching hurt of renewed pogroms in Europe; through the mental pain of surviving the horrors of war and seeing a world that hates you for being a light to the world, your people still believe this world can be a better place. Despite all that is thrown at your people during this war, you remain a beacon of shining light in this present darkness.”

A concern expressed by all community leaders was the infiltration of anti-Israel rhetoric into younger members of community. Every leader expressed the importance of greater education and bridge building.

Indigenous communities are showing their solidarity and love, but how can it be reciprocated?

Dr Qaumaniq Suuqiina of the Cherokee nation said, “A lasting bridge must be a bridge of the hearts. It has to be established on true relationships in order to hold the cultures travelling across it together. It starts with an act of protocol. Upon meeting with indigenous people, offer them protocol, which is honour through the act of going through their chief or tribal council. Set up an appointment with them, and come to their land with a gift from the heart. Approach them with dignity and honour, asking to establish a relationship with them based on mutual respect. Ask to get to know them, be taught about their culture, and hear their stories. Be willing to take time to build something lasting. Allow them to meet and actually know a Jew so that they will know the lies told about the Jews are lies. Invite them to your homes for Shabbat, and to your feasts. It has to be done one on one, and the indigenous people need to know you are sincere. If they learn to trust you, you will have true friends and warriors who will fight with you and for you for justice.”

Jews aren’t alone. They have more support than they realise, all they need to do is reach out.