It's more than speaking the truth; it is about being honest, building relationships, being authentic and responsible, and understanding the context of what has occurred in the past and present.
You've suggested your Jewish friends lack independent thought and mindlessly follow someone else's beliefs. Why insult them like that? Do you mean to offend and belittle them?
They may think you are targeting them because of their national heritage. A heritage over which they have no control over.
Remove the extremist voices that exclusively refer to the disparity between the two groups of people affected by this crisis, and then maybe you can have an open conversation with them.
Conflating nationality with approval of government policy seems to be almost an exclusively Israeli-targeted activity. Stop demonising the State of Israel, and engage and debate regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict.
You will not agree on everything, but you might reach an understanding. Hopefully, you'll be able to renew your acquaintance with your Jewish friends and come to some understanding.