A call for compassion to confront blind hatred for Israel and Gaza Israel-Gaza war

It was comforting to read Sharon Lifshitz’s opinions and know that there are others in my position in terms of mindset about what is happening (Two years after October 7th and my father’s kidnapping, hate is in vogue. For the sake of all of us, we need compassion, October 7th). My condolences to her and her family.

There is no denying the genocide in Gaza, the inhumane treatment of Palestinians by the Israeli government, and the disgusting Israeli lack of compassion (I was horrified when I watched the recent video of one of your correspondents interviewing people in Tel Aviv). Yet this strange tribalism on both sides amazes me. I am horrified by the suffering in Gaza and the suffering of October 7 – am I not allowed to feel for all the civilians, for every life that has been lost? Am I not allowed to grieve for the children who were killed in Gaza, and to grieve for the children who were shot by Hamas? You might not think so, given the kind of vitriol I encounter daily in the comments on TikTok videos.

I also agree with Sharon’s description of those who have become so anti-Israel that they support Hamas. Joining an organization that slaughters civilians, while demanding peace in Gaza and denouncing the violence inflicted by the Israel Defense Forces, is insane. Israel’s past use of violence does not constitute a justification for the slaughter of civilians, just as Hamas’ actions do not constitute a justification for genocide in Gaza. It is absolutely wrong to align a government’s actions with the value of the lives of its citizens.

I don’t see anyone directing the same vitriol towards Israel as, say, Russia or China, where atrocities against Ukrainians and Uyghurs have occurred. The rise of anti-Semitism is grim, and the masses seem unable to separate Jews from Israelis. I saw a TikTok video of two girls eating matzo for Passover earlier this year, with no mention of Israel at all (why?). The comment thread was filled with hate, as if they had done something wrong simply by being Jewish. One, simple in his hatred, just said “demons.”

It is very sad that we live in a world with so much hatred and violence. I can only hope that Sharon’s mother is right, and that there is a brighter future on the horizon for everyone.
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