Sadly, when it comes to the situation in the Middle East, it's a question of identity politics, and this is a huge barrier for many, especially those who are very left-leaning politically (I consider myself to be left-leaning too so it's not about political divide, it's just something that many on the left seem to be victim to). And what I mean by that is that they take a very clear view that any questioning of actually threatens their stance, which itself is very much a part of their identity. So for someone who cannot, and will not see Israel as anything other than an oppressive regime, accepting friendship with someone who does have sympathies for Israel threatens everything they believe they stand for. It is a disease, as we are seeing in many politically charged issues.