CareNotes

How to Talk to Colleagues Affected by Violence in Israel and Gaza

In light of the tragic attack in Israel over the weekend and the ongoing violence in the Israel-Palestine conflict, your colleagues, friends, and family may be directly affected. We encourage you to check in on your Jewish and Palestinian colleagues during this difficult time. Navigating these conversations when you are not in either community is complex, but it’s important to center humanity. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

1. Show empathy and support: Many of your Jewish and Palestinian employees are not okay and may feel very unsafe. They may have received a constant stream of distressing notifications from the news or updates from friends and relatives; they need support this week.
2. Be consistent: If your organization has internally or publicly addressed similar tragedies like George Floyd’s murder and the war in Ukraine, but chooses to stay silent this week, your Jewish and Palestinian employees and partners will notice. Communicate as much as possible and address the elephant in the room. Continuing to give employees and colleagues the flexibility and space to deal with news and new developments, is an essential part of providing support. Here are some resources from Crescendo to help center mental health and respectful conversations in the workplace.
3. Listen actively: Every individual holds a responsibility to be an active listener and be respectful towards others. It’s crucial to remind your employees to speak from their own experiences and not speak for others or a group.
4. Recognize the difficulty and challenge that may come for some of your employees: The most potent and impactful initiatives on civil discourse start with this acknowledgment. Identifying that these conversations may be challenging will help your colleagues feel more at ease when sharing. Acknowledge that many will feel passionately and deeply about these issues, seeing as they directly impact them. Remind your team that it may be difficult for someone to hear views that differ from their own beliefs, but communication and understanding will help disarm negatively charged situations.
5. Exhibit leadership through a lens of empathy: Remember to show empathy and compassion – acknowledging the challenges and emotional upheavals that your employees may be facing will help them connect with you and feel safer at work.
6. Denouncing murder and terror is not taking sides: You don’t have to take any sides, and it’s not the time to talk about who is right and wrong in the greater conflict. It should be easy and humane to denounce the mass murder of civilians, including women and children. It should never be controversial to offer support and resources to any people in your community who are hurting, for whatever reason.
7. Avoid taking on the role of the office pundit: Social media and cable news have given everyone a platform and inspired us to become amateur pundits. Resist the urge to share your own predictions and analysis and keep yourself out of the toxic news cycle where possible.

Resources

• What are Israel and Palestine? Why are they fighting? (article)
• Israel-Gaza violence: The conflict explained (article)
• Everything you need to know about Israel-Palestine (article)
• Conflict in Israel and Palestine: Crash Course World History 223 (video)
• Timeline of Surprise Rocket Attack by Hamas on Israel, ABC News
• Circles by Modern Health: Processing Stressful World Events – Free live virtual community sessions led by therapists and coaches are offered on various days.
• Local mental health programs – These programs are throughout Oregon and are listed by county.
• Crisis support hotlines – Access crisis and trauma services and resources
• 4 Ways to Support a Colleague in Distress, Crescendo

Organizations to Support

• Doctors Without Borders: Runs a number of activities in Ukraine where they work with local volunteers, organizations, healthcare professionals, and authorities to help people travel to healthcare facilities and access prescribed medications.
• Anera helps refugees displaced and hurt by conflicts including the Israel-Palestinian conflict, and it has no political or religious affiliation. Its funds provide humanitarian assistance and sustainable development to advance the well-being of refugees and other vulnerable communities.
• United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA): Human development and humanitarian services encompass primary and vocational education, primary health care, relief and social services, infrastructure and camp improvement, microfinance, and emergency response, including in situations of armed conflict.
• ActionAid is working in Gaza with local partners to monitor the situation closely and to provide support to some of the worst-hit families. It is fundraising to provide food, shelter, cash, and psychosocial help.