Can you be anti‑ICE and still support ‘Israel’? Users give their answers
Note: AI technology was used to generate this article’s audio.
- People are comparing ICE operations to the 'Israeli' military occupation of Palestine.
- Militarized tactics, fatal shootings, and federal control without local consent fuel the comparison.
As US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) intensifies operations under "Operation Metro Surge", a growing number of people are drawing comparisons between the federal presence and an occupation.
Online reactions intensified this week as users drew parallels between ICE and 'Israel'. One tweet underscored the perceived contradiction in public opinion:
once again you cannot be anti ice and pro israel https://t.co/RxtFuSsnkE
— moni⁷ (@yoongisbatman) February 2, 2026
Another user expressed shock at the scale of US enforcement actions, writing:
Unbelievable, feels like we are in Israel!
— Deeqa (@Deee_luul) February 7, 2026
ICE=IDF pic.twitter.com/59V8Qowj3k
Actor Joaquin Phoenix responded to a prior social media post, criticizing the comparison of immigration policies to 'Israel' and warning of underlying ideological extremism:
Actor Joaquin Phoenix apparently posted this on Instagram, comparing ICE to Israel
— Jonathan Eric Lewis (@LewisJonathanE) January 30, 2026
Make no mistake about it: undergirding all of this in the belief that the world would been better place if the largest Jewish community in the world ceased to exist pic.twitter.com/EmIIXg0e6z
Some social media commentators framed ICE as part of a broader strategy linked to 'Israel', suggesting the agency's actions serve a wider agenda:
Why ICE ?
— Mohammed Al Anazi (@MOHAMED_ALANZI) January 29, 2026
A: Help Israel to control America !.
War on Immigrants is an Israeli tactic to a brodar strategy. pic.twitter.com/SUISwb0uCR
A longer, impassioned thread captured widespread frustration with US policies and international issues, noting both domestic abuses and ongoing violence in Gaza:
I don’t know what to say today. We are ruled by abusive monsters.
— Caitlin Johnstone (@caitoz) February 1, 2026
The US is preparing for war with Iran.
They’re going in for the kill shot on Cuba.
The latest batch of Epstein emails looks horrifying.
The US is full of protests because ICE keeps killing people.
Israel is…
As online anger over ICE and ‘Israel’ comparisons surged, the controversy spilled into the streets and official scrutiny, with critics arguing that social media outrage reflects deeper alarm over the federal agency’s conduct on the ground in Minneapolis. Recent incidents involving heavily armed agents and fatal confrontations with civilians have amplified concerns that aggressive enforcement tactics are creating fear and drawing comparisons to conflict zones, not only in online discourse but also in real‑world protests and political debate.
Militarized Presence
Observers note ICE agents wearing tactical gear, carrying high-caliber rifles, and patrolling neighborhoods in armored vehicles. "When you see masked men with rifles surrounding schools and homes to intimidate a civilian population, the imagery is indistinguishable from Gaza or Hebron", said a local organizer.
Read more: Users claim Trump may start war to cover Epstein files scandals
Fatal Shootings Raise Alarm
Recent deaths, including 37-year-old mother Renee Good and ICU nurse Alex Pretti, have amplified concerns. Some people argue these incidents reflect a "shoot-to-kill" mentality similar to tactics used by the IDF. IMEU references names like Shireen Abu Akleh and Hind Rajab alongside victims of ICE violence to underline what they see as a shared disregard for marginalized communities.
Control Without Consent
City officials and the Minneapolis Police Chief have opposed ICE’s presence, telling residents to "call the police on ICE." Critics say federal enforcement against local opposition mirrors an occupying force more than conventional law enforcement.
Read more: Why is UpScrolled winning over former TikTok users?
Shared Tactics and Training
Some point to programs like "Deadly Exchange," where U.S. law enforcement has received training from 'Israeli' security forces. Tactics such as checkpoints, surveillance technology, and "human shields" during raids are cited as imported strategies contributing to the militarized approach.
For many, the struggle against mass deportation has become part of a broader global concern about militarized state control, with Palestinian flags appearing at anti-ICE rallies.
