Hey Van, I'm Palestinian. I appreciate the perspective you shared and honor all the points you brought up about the immense contributions Jewish people have made for progress throughout human history. Watching Anti-semitism rise is always terrifying as someone who experienced a great deal of racism and prejudice for being Muslim growing up. I do not want to take anything away from the valuable information you shared in this video, but I do want to bring your attention to one point that deeply hurt me. It's incredibly damaging to show footage of large Muslim groups with Palestinian flags without truly knowing if those people are Anti-semitic but stating "rallying against Jews". Saying something like "why do people hate Jews" right after showing only one person with a hijab on creates a visual tie with a person like that being the root of these hateful acts. I wonder if she was Anti-semitic. I know that's not what you think and I know there is a genuine danger from people who are anti-semitic, but that's how I received those board statements of "kids" and "people" paired with the images you chose together of a Muslim woman seems twisted to me. This troubles me because I've been seeing hate crimes, murders of Muslims in this country these past few weeks. Regardless of whether or not the people you've shown are antisemitic, the way you phrase your statement points viewers' anger directly at someone wearing a hijab and anyone holding a Palestinian flag as hating Jews. These generalizations can result in more violence. I am by no means claiming that the intention of that sequence was to incite hatred, I want to be clear. But I hope you can see how pairing that face with those broad statements without acknowledging the people who are protesting for reasons they feel strongly about because of their own upbringing and cultural background is unfair to that person you show and so many other people protesting the occupation and a ceasefire who are not antisemitic.

The idea that criticizing Israel is anti-semitic perpetuates the conversation from driving into a circle.

Ironically the irish blood would be on side of palestine

The problem is that simply recognizing the humanity of Palestinians is being labeled anti-semitic. I don't hate anybody, but I do hate bombs

Dear Van, I’m a long-time subscriber and patreon member, and I’m proud to say that. Your art has inspired me in many ways. I’ve shared your videos with my family, friends, and even strangers. As an 18 year old girl, I’ve learned much from you even though we have little in common. Every time a new video comes out, I know it will be well-made, detailed, and meaningful. This video wasn’t short of any of those traits. Your perspective as a man who honors his Jewish heart is admirable and important. All of the Jewish people you mentioned and their impacts always need to be brought to light and I commend you for doing so. The rise of antisemitism and Islamophobia is terrifying and ever growing, and it’s in times like this it’s important to learn from others from unique perspectives. However, the first few minutes of this video made me rethink the respect that I have for your art. When you show a clip of pro-Palestinian protests saying they are ‘rallying against Jews’, and asking ‘why do people hate Jews’ right after showing a clip of a hijabi college student brings a very damaging narrative to light. The narrative that gives rise to Islamophobia, the idea that being Pro-Palestinian means being Anti-Semitic. Growing up I had tons of Jewish friends at school. I went to all of the bar and bat mitzvahs, was close friends with the president of the Jewish Students Association (I was president of the Muslim Students Associaton), and over time grew an immense respect and admiration for the Jewish religion and culture. When I go to a Pro-Palestinian protest, I’m not protesting in favor of terrorism, or against Jewish people, I’m protesting against the government that forced my grandmother out of her childhood home in 1948. With nothing but the clothes on her back. I acknowledge that there may be anti-Semitic people at those protests. I acknowledge that anti-semitism is wrong and has been shown at some of these protests. But the generalizations your video makes are hurtful, wrong, and will only lead to more violence and anger against a people for simply their religious beliefs or heritage. Van, your videos have shown me that you are a knowledgeable, empathetic, and well-read man that is capable of understanding multiple sides of a conflict. I want you to understand that you have likely lost a large part of your Arab/Palestinian/even Muslim audience because of the generalizations you made, even when the rest of the video is valid, important, and beautiful.

The people of Rafa mean nothing to this spirited man.

Hi van, i keep seeing the atrocities continue and i cant help but wonder if you stand by your closing statement. Have you allowed yourself to question why a country so sacred and beloved is doing this to thousands upon thousands of innocent humans? Do you care?

A reminder that there are many Jewish voices speaking out against the atrocious acts of Israel and in fact many people in the Pro-Palestinian rallies are jewish. There needs to come a time where we do not need reiterate that the criticism of Israel is NOT a criticism of Jewish people.

I have empathy and compassion for all civilian victims of conflict regardless of race, colour or creed. Pray for peace.

There's a lot of conflation happening here. Hamas and the innocent people of Palestine are not one in the same. Supporting the freedom of Palestinians does not attempt to justify the horrible actions of Hamas. Any support for Hamas IS antisemitic, but supporting Palestine is not equivalent (I am referencing the Palestine protest footage being used as an example of antisemitism). The exact same is true of Israel. Israel does not represent all jewish people, and opposing the horrible actions of Israel is not antisemitic. It is important to support and uplift the Jewish community, and you can do so while disagreeing with Israels occupation in Gaza and their treatment of the innocent Palestinian people. You can simultaneously denounce the act of genocide committed by Hamas, and also support the freedom of Palestine. It is a complex and nuanced issue that doesn't have one black and white solution.

As someone of Jewish descent who is also a member of Jewish Voices for Peace, we can be anti-Israel government and policy without being antisemitic, or even anti Israeli people. I think it is high time to stop equating opposition to Israeli Apartheid-like policies and the oppression of the Palestinian people and nation with antisemitism.

Anti-sionist is different from anti-semitism

I feel the need to create a distinction between the state of Isreal and the Jewish people. I pray for an end to the violence and do not approve of killing by any nation with very few exceptions. I love the Jewish people, and have been greatly impacted by many in my life. Sometimes the people I love do things I don’t agree with.

I went to a march for the freedom of Palestine yesterday in Bristol, UK and I didn't see or hear anything antisemitic. There was a couple of more indirect things regarding the Israeli state from some individuals that concerned me, but to make a blanket statement that people in the west are rallying against Jewish people is misleading. I'm sure there are some people that hold antisemitic views but the over powering message was that the UK government should stop supporting the carpet bombing of not only Gaza but other areas in the region that is leading to a genocide. I did watch the rest of the video though to which I mostly enjoyed...

Im a Jew myself, and Im quite fed up of this kind of tropes like "jews did so much good for the world" that I hear in the mouth of my own parents. Essentisalism wether postive or negative remain essentialism which at its core is a form of racism. This is just reproducing the same BS that lead to the Shoah in the first place, except this time we put ourselves on top of the pyramid. As a Jew, my parents put a strong emphasis on fighting racism, facism and nationalism. With the recent increase of violence in Israel, I came to realize that what they wanted to teach me in that only antisemitism is not ok. Other forms of racism get a green light. Jews are not amazing people in of themselve, good people make good things because they are good people, period. No to all essentialism, no to all racism, no to all supremacism.

I am an atheist, and I was a scrawny kid who was picked on and tormented in my school days, so I can empathize with any persecuted person or people which is why I understand Jewish need to feel safe and protected given what has happened to them, historically. But history, while it informs us, and can motivate us, it does not exist in a vacuum to alone dictate future actions and reactions. We must endeavour, as a human collective, to search for peace and harmony for all peoples, even those who would not want it for us, and that includes a dozen Muslim countries that would throw me in jail or kill me for simple non-belief/apostasy. That point is not lost on me. Israel, as a country, is also a weird place where modern secularism clashes with very traditional following of Judaism, of socialism and ultra-nationalism. Let me be clear, Israel has a fundamental right to protect itself and it's people. What it does not have is carte-blanche to treat other non-combatant civilians, regardless of background, as less than human. It must deal with the millions of Arabs/Palestinians within it's borders, while also dealing with the terror organizations of Hamas and Hezbollah. An eye for an eye leaves the world blind. I hope for peace even when it seems hopeless.

Supporting the people of Palestine is not antisemitism, supporting a far right zionist government is not Jewish.

Van, I love your channel, everything about it, it's intelligent, it's quirky, it's thoughtful .I agree there is anti-Semitism . I think if I was Jewish I would be paranoid and alert , I'm not Jewish, I'm an Irish Catholic from Dublin Ireland , brought up a Catholic anyway, no so much a catholic now :) but it doesn't take much imagination to think what it would be like to be Jewish and have half your family wiped out in the holocaust , what that would do to your mental health , to think on many occasions in History there were pogroms , and then the final solution , I think I would be extremely alert and extremely paranoid . The problem we have with the Palestinian issue is that it's not simple , to be anti a right wing Israeli government is not anti-Semitism , to be anti-Israeli government policy in the West Bank is not anti-Semitism . The Palestinians were welcoming to Jewish refugees in the 1940's , that changed post 1948 when the state of Israel was formed and the indigenous population the Arabs/Christians were forcibly moved from their land/farms /houses /villages into surrounding countries and into Gaza and when they were gone the villages were bulldozed into the ground so they could not return . The narrative /history that is told in America is that after the State of Israel was formed the surrounding Arab countries attacked Israel and that's true but what they fail to tell you is that there was an invasion of Palestine in 1948 backed by the UN and USA and the UK .The land was gifted to the Jewish people post the holocaust but it was something that was agreed back in the 1920's , the British basically gave the land to the Zionists to stop a guerilla war that was going on in Palestine .They gifted lands that didn't belong to them and without consultation with the local population . So we are where we are , the settlements in the West Bank are still expanding , local Arabs are still losing land to settlers , Palestinian children are still being arrested and sent to prison, over a thousand underaged children are in prison , 26 children were shot dead by heavily armed militant settlers this year alone in the West Bank , regularly children throwing stones are shot dead with live ammunition by IDF snipers. As I said I understand the why Jewish people are on high alert and they should be , but critizing Israeli policy is not anti-Semitic , I read Israeli newspapers , Harretz is very moderate newspaper , they say for example that they have evidence that Netanyahu's government was supporting HAMAS in order to undermine the moderate Palestinian Authority ,as I said it's complicated ! Bottom line is the ordinary Palestinians that live in Gaza did nothing to any Israeli , most of them still hold the legal deeds to property they lost post 1948, handed down from father to son .I don't know what the solution is , the last Israeli prime Minister to try for a Two State solution, Yitzhak Rabin( a good man), was murdered by Israeli settlers. The Palestinians deserve a state of their own , if they got that I think the whole world would breath a sigh of relief , a safe Israel and a solution for the children of Gaza and the future children of Israel. I think you are right ,what matters is that we do the right thing in the end , Please, a homeland for the unfortunate Palestinian people , so we can all sleep well at night , wouldn't it be great a safe and prosperous Israel and a safe and prosperous Palestine , a movie with a happy ending at last ! I know it's a difficult subject for anyone , keep up the great work you do.

Saying "people in Australia are rallying against jews" whilst showing people waving Palestinian flags just hurts man. Palestinians are humans and their children are being murdered every day aswel... And people can also be anti-zionsts without being an anti-semite. Isreal shouldn't be equal to the jewish belief. Nor should jewish people want that. Isreal is an apartheid state which colonizes large parts on the West Bank and their leaders are conservative nationalists who suppress the Palestinians

Criticism of Israeli government and politics ≠ anti-semitism

Anti-Semitism is a horrible blight. Anti-Colonialism is humane. Empathizing with the suffering is humane. Partisan discrimination of care is a self-inflicted wound. The children of Israel and Palestine require more than this impassioned partisanship for either to enjoy the enduring peace, justice, and bounty that are their birthright, Van. I see in you depths of feeling and care that would be laudable, were it not... reserved.

Came back to this video because things are getting worse and i guess i wanted to see if you had acknowledged any of the responses. I hope the many people reaching out and explaining the history and reality of the situation have gotten through in sone capacity. I really really hope it's not all brushed off as hate or antisemitism. It's right to mourn the atrocities committed against those Israeli citizens. It's also right to condemn apartheid and genocide. I think you're an incredibly insightful compassionate person and I really truly wish Gazans were granted some of that compassion. I can't imagine what it must be like to live under brutality like they do while people like us can say with confidence that Israel isn't goliath.

I'm sympathetic to the spirit of this video, but to claim, as you do at 2:38 "...[students] are rallying against jews" is at best a mischaracterization and at worst maliciously insincere. Many of these people, likely the majority, are rallying FOR Palestinians and not against the average Jewish civilian. To be pro-Palestine does not necessary mean you are an anti-semite. We should be capable of more nuance than this. Are there likely some anti-semetic people in those crowds? Of course, and they should be condemned. But I can't engage sincerely with your content if you start off with such an ignorant tone, this kind of black-and-white, us-versus-them thinking is exactly what is wrong with online discourse today.

My mothers side of the family is Jewish and we as a family aren’t really in Jewish traditions because of our whole family line on that side has been murdered in the Second World War. I’ve been watching the terror in Israel for all my life ever since I can really remember watching the news on television. I absolutely hate the people that attacked on the 7th. BUT I also hate the fact that the people in Gaza are basically treated the same way. How can we use the holocaust as an example and let the Israel government do that to the Palestinians. I understand your viewpoints but don’t say protests against bombing innocent people is antisemitism. That is low! ❤

Van, the rallies were for a free palestine which any humane and moral person should support. Of course the rallies inckuded some pockets of anti semitism the same way any large gathering will brong together all kinds of people with all kinds of views. I was at the protest in London and there were lots of Jews standing in solidarity with their muslim friends for a free palestine. Anti semitism exists and i am not denying that but dont just disregard some of the largest protests the UK has seen because of a minority of bigots. The world is waking up to what Israel is and how it conducts itself

The intro of this video so badly portrays the conversation and protests happening around the world in defense of Palestine and it's majority non-antisemitic (not to mention child) population. I hope you read the comments here and talk to with more people outside your circle about what's happening in the world. It's possible to condemn the act of terrorism and also condemn the acts of genocide the Israeli government has been carrying out against Palestinians.

Dear Van, this was an interesting watch. I understand wholly that people can be good and that people can be bad. I understand and have witnessed true generosity, spiritually and the generosity of creativity, and have seen documented the horrors of war through creativity. Jake and Dinos Chapman, Goya, Peter Howson and Picasso help frame that particular horror in a manner that burns the retina for tomorrow. I understand that America has a particular relationship with Israel, after all its where a lot of Nazi's fled too - technically they were invited - a land that was receptive to that particular ideology. When you're speaking of spirit and resilience, when you illicit the feeling and the story of Schindler, and especially when you state towards the end of the video that Israel is our "Wests" safe hub in that region, it almost sounds like you are dismissing the evil that is taking place to others, who just happen to not be Jews. It is perhaps symptomatic that people seem to think, today, that as long as Israel do what they want, without recourse, then it is a job well done. When you build up a country and never hold them to account then what does the future hold, are you saying that killing innocents is worth it because the return will be greater. The roll call of Nobel prize winners will be greater, etc? Why are Israeli's vociferous in their appeal to stop the bombing and wonton destruction of gazans? Perhaps the average Israeli understands that the thing Spielberg retold in the List is what people need to stand up to irrespective of who the purveyor of such misery was/is. That wrong, is wrong, irrespective of what the past held. Apologies, but this is what is missing from the discussion about this place called Israel and Palestine. Its not a convenience store.

criticism of Israel is not criticism of all jewish people

I'm glad you made this video - I'm a Muslim who is deeply disappointed by the rise in anti-Semitism. It's deeply troubling how persistent it's been throughout history and I pray for a world without it. But I also think you NEED to be critical of Israel right now. After the October 7th attacks, I had a friend message me "Dude from an optics perspective this is going to crush the Palestinian movement." To that I say: aren't you worried that Israel's response will permanently damage the Jewish reputation?

I still don't understand how or why intelligent people can conflate: people against an apartheid state with people who are legitimately anti-semitic. I haven't felt this rampant lack of nuance since post-9/11. Smh.

This video has aged badly. Suprised its still up.

It would appear this video has been pretty damaging for this channel.

Small correction: Schindler's factory was in Kraków, not Warsaw. The building is still there and has an amazing permanent exhibition on WWII.

Still interested in hearing a response from the comments we (your fans) have made on this video.

Anti Semitisim is not the same as Anti Zionisim

I have been absolutely loving your videos but this take was pretty thin. I know you feel strongly about Judaism -- but this is not about Jews, it's about an apartheid state. I suggest you learn more about the history of Israel and the displacement of Palestinians. This conflict didn't start this month. Furthermore, your statement about David and Goliath made me cringe, hard. Israel literally receives billions of dollars of aid every year from the U.S. If that isn't Goliath, I'm not sure what is. Edit: ***military aid*** if there was confusion lol

people are rallying against israel, not against jews.

I've been subscribed since the early days of this channel and am a genuine fan of your content and how you look at the world. I would even be willing to excuse this video based on its timing. But for you to have to not responded and clarified any of the misinformation in this video is really dissaointing to me. To be clear my grandfather is Jewish and I absolutely discredit anyone who is antisemitic in anyway. I'm also indigenous, Anishinaabe to be exact. Being anti Israeli one party system does not make you anti semetic it makes you anti colonialism. I really ask that you take the time to make a response and discuss how the last six months has changed your viewpoint because lets be honest about what we've all seen unfold in Palestine. because for the indigenous community it feels all a little to familiar to the acts of western governments over the last 200 years. It's genocide both cultural and physical. the weaponization of food the total destruction of land in an effort to destroy the lives of innocent civilians. We've seen that before. The forced evacuation of Palestinians who are forced to either leave or face certain death. We've seen that before. And even worse the many who are unable to evacuate and are trapped in a warzone because the Israeli government , their ally's Canada and America, and the bordering countries will not provide them safety. Thats not a just act of war and you being as intelligent as so many of us have come to know you to be know that. It's genocide. I. want to believe that you are capable of seeing that but each month month I've waited for a response has made it harder to support the content I love. For now at least I will be unsubscribing. To be even clearer. It's not because you support Jewish people I strongly believe that no Jewish person should be targeted or treated negatively because of their race religion or familial history. But to say that Zionists should not be critiqued and questioned for acts of genocide is just fundamentally going against the same beliefs of treating people with the respect they deserve.

My Man, I have so much respect for you. I love you and your art, your videos, and as a human being. This is a defensive video. You just need to get this: People are rallying against violence. Nothing to do with anti-Semitism. Equating rallying against violence with anti-Semitism is an insult to my intelligence.

I’m a Christian and I don’t like violence so I pray for peace. Peace for both sides and the end of suffering on both sides for so many innocent people.

Israel's military actions have disproportionately affected civilians, including children (more than 3000 children and women have been killed in the past week only ) you didt even mention that ! this is not against jews and has nothing to do with anti-semtism . It's crucial to approach this topic with sensitivity and to consider multiple perspectives and sources of information to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the complex and deeply rooted issues involved in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Zionism / occupation is the real issue . In some Muslim-majority countries, Jews and Muslims lived together relatively peacefully for centuries, sharing common languages and cultures.

Thanks for sharing part of your story with us. I’m from the Middle East, and I want to share something that I hope will add some sense to the news you are hearing about antisemitism. 1. Arabs do not hate Jews, their problem is with Zionism 2. Schindler’s list was heart aching for me as well, and it’s unbelievable to see it happening again to another group of people right in front of us.

Van, I connect with your videos and messages. In essence, and just like you express, your heart. This video and its message are an oversimplification of a very complicated war. Yes, there is no place for antisemitism. Yes, Jews have birthed so many gifts into this world and have made wonderous contributions. Does this mean we should blindly support Israel’s government and the decades of violence perpetrated on the innocent people of Palestine? Hamas should be eliminated, but at what cost? What is a proportionate response to the “actual” brutality, and are we able to weigh it all against the history of violence between these two? Israel is actively committing war crimes and killing innocent people! How someone who understands Judaism and does not call for peace and an immediate cease fire is a head scratcher. Israel has a long history of oppressing the Palestinian people. Historically, things like this do come to a head. One might even opine that Israel was counting on this attack, and I’ll go one step further, knew about it. What we are seeing now is the greenlighting and misrepresentation of this conflict’s history by only telling one side and allowing the Israeli government to finally eliminate the state of Palestine - a cleansing if you will. Your video sadly only serves to promote sympathy for one side without telling the whole story. Perhaps you could use your voice for peace. We need more of it today more than ever.

I've never thought about Spielbergs decision of the main character and your explanation of this brought me to tears. I am not Jewish or Muslim but my heart broke on the 7th but then was broken again over and over floor Palestine the days following, I don't know what the solution is. People especially a small group a minority will always seek to protect their soul as a people and worry annihilation but unfortunately this FEAR is more dangerous than any virus or weapon this FEAR is the blinder to our humanity

Thank you Van.

A month later and I wonder if he still feels like this is all about hating jews...

thank you for this

cringe and completely disregarding the true meaning of the worldwide call to action for the defense of Palestine and its people. You’re cheerleading for the Jewish people but failed to mention the horrendous war crimes being committed by Israel. Not saying Israel and Jewish people are tied together but this video lacks the perspective of the entire picture. Can’t really say I expected better of you though.

Oh god

Such a shame when people can’t look beyond themselves when analysing an issue. If you wanted to use your identity as a precursor, the Irish are extremely supportive of the Palestinian plight. As are Jews all over the world. As is pretty evident from this comment section alone. You’re so well read. Why did you stop reading when it comes to this issue?

While it is worrying what we see from some political sectors, I still believe good people can see through it all and are able to tell good from bad. Most of good people will avoid trouble and are remaining silent. But if we were to reach a point where the anti-Semitism gets really out of hand, good people won't look the other way. They will stand against evil. I am confident of that.

One sided compassion will not bring an end to this conflict. To truly fight one injustice, such as antisemitism, one must fight all injustice. You have so much compassion and feeling in this video, I can't believe it extends only towards one group of people. Don't forget the children of Palestine, Van.

my issue with your and casey’s videos is where is this energy for the people facing the same tragedy on the other side of the conflict. from my perspective it seems like you’re selective on who to make an outcry for and which people to celebrate

hate is the problem. When a state hates another, the cycle will continue until one loves. and the other realizes. Do not make the mistake of hiding behind the veil of hate which is coated with grief.

The Israeli government does not represent all Jewish people and they have done some really awful stuff recently and have been for awhile. Palestine needs support as they are being crushed by a giant fist

Excellent vid bro

My God, Van.. I've been following you for more than 10 years, and I'm enragingly frustrated and disappointed.. I've stopped watching at around 03:00.. The majority of the rallies you were mentionning were demanding an immediate cease-fire on Gaza and an end to the blind bombardments of entire buildings and neighborhoods.. the expressed issues were about the actions of the State of Israel; the illegal occupation, the systematic human rights violations against Palestinians, etc. How can you summarize all those humanitarian mouvements, hundreds of thousands of voices around the globe as "rallying against jews"?? It's fucking depressing to see you, too, presenting anti-zionism or any critique of Israel as anti-semitism, and playing that sick game of victimization.. The posters you were filming, how about the 8306 Palestinians (including 3457 children) killed by the IDF in the last 24 days?? Any words for them?! God, I'm so sad tonight.. Fare well, Van.. I'm done with you.

Hey Van, Completely agree that a rise in anti-Semitism would be a terrible thing. But to label all people who are against the cruel war crimes being committed against Israel as anti-Semitic is a bit simplistic. In a way the current plight of the Palestinians mirrors past plights of the Jewish community. There are millions trapped in Gaza similar to how the Jews were forced into ghettos in cities such as Warsaw during the second world war. Their food and medical supplies are restricted by the Israeli government and they are being bombed regularly. The death tolls on either side mirror this as a vast number more Palestinians lie dead(men, women and children). The actions of Hamas are absolutely deplorable and should not be celebrated, however a far more more powerful government using this as an excuse to starve and bomb a population that they have long been attempting to eradicate is also not something which the world should allow much less support. Of course I don't believe that Israeli people themselves are to blame, much less the extended Jewish community. It is clear to me that this is the fault of both an extremist government and western powers who divided up the land in the first place and have continued to invest in this region for the sake of power(America in particular who have invested massively in military defence for israel). The fact that any criticism of the Israeli government is currently labelled anti-Semitism and results in the loss of jobs etc is insane and deeply saddening to me. Thoughts and prayers for your family, I hope you haven't received any anti-Semitic hate during this time Ruairi

Thank you for this video

Hi Van, I really like you and respect your take but you are excluding an important piece of this complicated puzzle. What Israel has been doing in Palestine, to the Palestinians, is not nice to say the least. Benjamin Netanyahu is not a benevolent figure. Check what Gabor Mate or Norman Finkelstein, who are jews, say on the matter. I hope peace can eventually win and we can all be friends. Take care!

Make a lovingly crafted video about the Palestinian spirit

The world needs more LOVE ❤ and less hate.

Hi, Van. Former subscriber and patron here. It's been seven months since you posted this video. At this point, the Israeli military has murdered nearly 40,000 people, and has injured over 80,000 people. All of whom, obviously, were helplessly trapped under a military blockade. UNICEF estimates that 90% of children living in Gaza aren't receiving enough nutrients to ensure proper growth and development. The UN projects that it will take until at least 2040 to rebuild all of the homes, schools, businesses, etc. that have been bombed into rubble. If Israel isn't Goliath, who is? Do you still stand by this video?

Amazing video, Van! I’m a gentile and my wife is Jewish - they’re great people!

Love your videos always but couldn't help say somethint about the closing words. Israel is indeed goliath compared to Palestine. It is an apartheid state. With respect, there is nothing antisemetic about bringing this up. It must be brought up. Apartheid is and always will be abhorrent, even when it's Israel. Thousands of children are currently living and dying in an open-air prison. we cannot be okay with this.

This was abhorrently disappointing, either you are ignoring the lives, of the humans in Gaza, and the West Bank, or you choose to not see them as human, this was just a disgusting display of siding with a fascist government, who is committing genocide, and countless war crimes. Gaza has been without water, food, and fuel for about 20 days, and Israel just bombed their internet infrastructure, they are effectively cut off from the world, and while they were cut off, in the dead of night, the bombardment intensified. The number of Palestinians dead eclipses the numbers of Israeli. Many Jewish people have seen the horrors of Gaza, and have called for a ceasefire. This is what happens when people make up their mind, and take sides without knowing the whole story.

Thank you

Saying Free Palestine is NEVER anti-sematic

dude, love your's and casie's stuff, but why you both didn't mention a single thing about palestinian civilians being bombed, you both made a nothing-statements

The amount of Topanga Canyon entitlement in this video. 🙄 Nothing "spirited" about demoralizing one group of people for another.

The history I've learned about jewish experience in Portugal (where I come from), shows that my surname is of jewish family descent. Further I found that this 'family' name was prosecuted and so many/most left the country, in order to proceed life in the Netherlands (17th century). Raised in catholic family, religion grew to be irrelevant in my existance. Along life I have had the opportunity to connect to other people in many places of this planet, being whatever origins, genotypes, fenotypes, religous or cultural identities. I care about nature, including animals and humans. We are more than passports, languages or any human inventions. I have danced, talked, cried, argued, worked, with russians, ukranians, israeli, jews and palestianians. Today I can only cry. For the 7th, and all days before, and all days after. Our energy, our attention, our clicks, our human existence/power is being sucked into eternal dicotomies that serve no purpose other than destruction. If I call on ceasefire anywhere in the world, it doesn't make me anti-someone. Ignorance lives well, and many online discussion touch only the surface of the challenges faced. Politicians and very ill people (with political power) manipulate masses, tagging religion to agendas. Van, I admire your work, your story, your history, your perception. Van, I admire humans and their beauty regardeless. I have met people that live inspired by their feeling and interpretations of a given religion, doing 'good' and impacting theirs and others peoples life, regardless. Hardly any life can be taken with a human logic. Or, I don't understand what human is. "There are 2 kinds of people in the world; those who divide the world in two...and those who don't" .... I use humor to escape pain, and sometimes I just want to be with those who don't.

Thank you!

anti-zionism isn't antisemitism

As a long time enjoyer of your videos, I really agree with others here in the comments that you've missed the mark on this one. I too have many close friends who are Jewish and those friends are largely pro Palestine. Even the word anti semite here is technically incorrect as both Jews and Palestinians are technically "semites". My friends going to these protests do not hate jews, I wrote emails to my representative for a ceasefire. I don't hate jews. I don't hate Palestinians either. I hate needless violence. I feel like others here in the comments have said it better, but I wanted to contribute too because I feel like it's important to hear the same thing from a myriad of folks to give it credibility.

Thank you for making this

Thank you 💙🤍

Thousands of children killed in Gaza yet no one mentions that. It’s always “poor Israel”.

People aren’t rallying against Jews. They are rallying against Israel. There’s a big difference. Pro Palestine protests you’ve been seeing are not anti-Jew or anti Semitic.

Calling yourself a Gentile with gentile blood… you actually let a religion label you like that. I would never let a religion label me as a Gentile. That part of history is over. My generation is over this and over this propaganda.

13:05 Little side-note for the Schindler's List - the place of action is Cracow (Kraków) not Warsaw. :)

I guess another frustrating thing about this video is the (extremely valid and necessary) call to protect jews (very true, antisemitism is disgusting) but in the wake of a literal genocide of muslim arabs in Palestine... Where is this urgency? I'm not lashing out when i ask this, I'm genuinely curious. Millions of children fleeing their homes with nowhere to go. Thousands of children blown to pieces. Are we going to celebrate their spirit and hardships? This is not "finger pointing", it is a genuine plea for compassion. I love your work but this is kind of hard to watch when Israel is commiting genocide.

The comments have been made. I will do say, that Van's perspective have made me realize two things. regardless of his masterpiece creativity on ART .. he is still a human. with human flaws that in this case walked away from the boundaries of ART into political territory. Unfortunately my FAN level diminish after this video content..... a viewer with Palestinian ancestry.

It's not enough that we defend the people we identify with. The problem with this situation is that it's only a minority of jews (and their allies) who condemn the acts of the Israeli gov't - and only a minority of Palestinians (and their allies) who condemn the acts of Hamas. Virtually nobody is doing what is necessary, which is taking accountability.

Thoughts on the massacre happening in Rafa right now? Why so one-sided buddy?

I think you need to think about this a bit more.

Van the simple reality is humans are violently envious creatures and always attack upwards. Jews have faced more hardship historically than any group of people yet they succeed despite the odds over and over again. The average Ashkenazi I.Q is 120. This inconvenient truth (and I.Q red pill for that matter) explains the great disparities in success amongst different ethnicities. Feel free to Google what the average Palestinian I.Q is. As ever the case, the mean will always attack the outlier for a perceived slight, when in reality it is such a disparity that any nation or people could only be so lucky to have. This is the same reason South Africa is nearly a failed state. You cannot have unity when such a gross disparity exists in a free society where you see the mean results of such hardwired attributes. It's a truly hopeless situation.

Supporting people is one thing, supporting apartheid is another. You claim to be righteous in the end, righteousness in this case is also condemning what's happening to the Palestinians, I hope you will be righteous in the end.

Beautifully said.

Bro this is such a bad take on the situation

I think you’ve missed the point regarding the Palestine rallies (I can only speak to the ones in Australia). These aren’t anti Jew or pro Hamas rallies, these are rallies to bring attention to the humanitarian crisis that has been imposed on Gaza for decades by the Israeli government. Again not Jews or Israelis but the Israeli government. It’s also important to recognise that all of the conflict in the Middle East is due to British and American meddling over the last 100 years. I mean some western imperialist literally erased centuries of identity in favour of arbitrary boarders that suited their geopolitical interests. Tragedy doesn’t take sides. The death of an Israeli is equally to the death of a Palestinian. Blindly taking side and oversimplifying the complex political dynamics created over decades of special interests in a region the furthest removed from one’s everyday life doesn’t serve anyone but the war machine.

Van, you are a beautiful person. I am a British citizen living in England, though I was born in Poland. My parents met by chance in Gdynia, a town in the north of Poland, and moved to a working-class town in Northeast England near Durham. We didn't have much growing up, but my house was full of love, fun, and debates. I was often subject to racist comments in school due to being an Eastern European child in an unfamiliar place. However, I have been blessed with the ability to never judge people based on their background or ethnicity. Despite growing up in a northern working-class town in the UK, I never judged anyone based on their beliefs, ethnicity, colour, or creed. I owe this to my parents' love and open-mindedness, which was a result of their coming from two different worlds and raising me. I am now 46 years old and have achieved success, as a wedding photographer () 1000 wedding deep !) marrying a wonderful woman with no so different values from my own. She is a middle-class girl who was raised as a Quaker and is the least judgmental person I know. We have two sons who are gloriously curious about everything. Van, your videos have been a source of solace and inspiration for me as a wedding photographer in the northeast of the UK. I often find it hard to connect with people, but I resonate with you and your message, and I'm sure many men across the world do too. You reminded me of the importance of being a good husband and father, and inquisitive person for that, I thank you. My wife bought me a "Die trying" shirt for my birthday, and I wear it often as a reminder to keep striving to improve myself. Thank you for making a difference to me, Van. You are a great person, and your videos mean a lot. All the best, Sean.

I love your videos Van but to mention nothing of the Israeli Apartheid and the plight of the Palestinian people is just wrong. Calling for the end of the apartheid and the implementation of a single state is not Anti-semitism

This video honestly stopped me from watching your videos. And I would watch every video multiple times. Wish you would’ve just stayed away from this topic or have done A LOT more research before creating this.

Thanks Van

Your description of the Jewish community through love is beautiful! I hope to emulate this level of love within my community

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This video is mostly very good and informative, and reminds us that jews are also just people, like the rest of us. But there is a lack of balance here. And I'm saying this with peace and love, Van. I understand that you have a personal connection to one side here, but there are atrocities on both sides of the conflict, and presenting all of those who speaks up for the Palestinian people as antisemits comes out very wrong. I don't think that was your intention. Yes, antisemitism is a real problem, don't get me wrong. But we got to remember that most Palestinian rallies, as well as Israeli rallies, are peaceful and with good intentions for the people on both sides. Let's fight hate with love, and war with peace. ❤

frustratingly polarizing video Van

Anti Zionism is different to anti semitisim

"But the state of Israel was not created for the salvation of the Jews; it was created for the salvation of the Western interests. This is what is becoming clear (I must say that it was always clear to me). The Palestinians have been paying for the British colonial policy of “divide and rule” and for Europe’s guilty Christian conscience for more than thirty years." - James Baldwin The Nation, 1979