By Melanie Ross Levin, Delaware State Representative 10th District
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Listening, Learning, and Bearing Witness
When people ask me why I went on the 50 States, One Israel trip, my answer is simple: because it’s my job.
As a state legislator, my responsibility is to learn, to listen, and to soak in as much as I can. Representing the most Jewish district in Delaware, I know that what happens in Israel is not an abstract issue—it is top of mind for many of my constituents. That makes it my responsibility to show up, ask hard questions, and bring back what I learned.
This bipartisan trip—50 States, One Israel—brought together legislators from across the country to learn firsthand about the security challenges Israel faces, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and the diverse voices within Israeli society.
Bearing Witness
During the trip, I met with Israeli leaders and civil society representatives and asked direct questions about humanitarian aid, food insecurity, and access to medical care. We did not go to be spoon-fed talking points. We went to press, to probe, and to learn.
And to Israel’s credit, they encouraged us to ask questions. No topics were off-limits, and no question was too difficult. That openness is what democracy looks like—and it’s what distinguishes Israel in a region where free inquiry is often suppressed.
I also visited the Nova music festival site and the kibbutz of Nahal Oz, standing in the very places where the October 7th terror attacks unfolded. Seeing the devastation firsthand underscored the immense pain and grief caused by Hamas’s atrocities—and the urgency of freeing the hostages and working toward peace.
While we were there, we also got a glimpse of what ordinary Israelis live through every day. Twice, our delegation had to run for shelter because of incoming missile attacks. One of those times, the airport itself was targeted as we were standing in line at check-in. We had to abandon our bags and move quickly into a shelter. I was later told that, because it was the Thursday before Rosh Hashanah, the enemy knew the airport would be especially crowded. That moment made clear just how malicious these attacks are—and how they target the rhythms of daily life itself.
Facing Backlash
Since returning home, I’ve been flooded with hate: emails, texts, voicemails, and even a disruptive visit to one of my constituent coffee meetings. These coffees usually focus on neighborhood issues like traffic safety or drainage problems—the bread-and-butter of local governance. The fact that some chose to hijack these spaces with hostility and antisemitic tropes reveals a deeper problem.
At one point, critics even claimed that participants on the trip had been “brainwashed.” As someone who knows the long history of antisemitic conspiracy theories, including the notorious Protocols of the Elders of Zion, I knew exactly what that language meant. It wasn’t just disagreement about policy—it was a coded attack on Jews and Jewish self-determination.
The weeks following my return were difficult. But in times like these, I try to channel my grandfather, Benjamin Ross. He faced antisemitism in his day, even having to change our family name from Rozenkrantz to Ross. His response was simple and strong: “the hell with it.” He didn’t let hate define him—and neither will I. My stubbornness is the same. My strength, too.
More Than a War
But here’s what I want our Delaware Jewish community—and our broader community—to hear clearly:
Israel is more than a war. This war or any past war. Israel is life. It is a vibrant democracy, a place of innovation and culture, and the eternal homeland of the Jewish people.
No one claims perfection. But reducing Israel solely to conflict erases its people, its history, and its hope for peace.
And let’s be clear: you can love Israel and not love what Prime Minister Netanyahu is doing—just like you can love America and disagree with President Trump. Loving a country doesn’t mean endorsing every policy of its leaders. It means believing in its people, its values, and its future.
I am a proud Jew. That is, and always will be, part of my life and identity. I can hold space and love for both Israelis and Palestinians. I believe in peace, and I want this war to be the last war.
Moving Forward
For me, leadership means engaging even when it’s difficult, asking tough questions, and refusing to be silent
in the face of hate. That’s the work I do in Dover, whether it’s passing legislation to improve the lives of Delawareans or helping a constituent navigate a state agency. It’s also the work I do as part of our Jewish community—showing up, listening, and standing firm against antisemitism while never losing sight of our hope for peace.
While I wish I knew how to end this war, I do know one thing: it won’t end with people posting memes or hiding behind their computers from real conversations. Wars don’t end with hashtags—they end when people talk to people, face-to-face, with honesty and courage.
Some made assumptions about the purpose of this trip without ever talking to anyone who actually went. And that tells you all you need to know.
Assumptions are easy. Dialogue is hard. But dialogue is what leadership requires—and it’s the path I will continue to walk.
About the Author:
MELANIE ROSS LEVIN is deeply involved in Delaware’s Jewish community, proudly serving as Development Manager for the Jewish Federation of Delaware, a board member of UD Hillel, and an active member of Congregation Beth Emeth. She lives in North Wilmington with her husband, two daughters, and a MISBEHAVING rescue dog, and is honored to represent the 10th District in the Delaware House of Representatives.
