Humanity First: A Call for Compassion and Understanding During the Israel-Palestine Conflict
There are two sides to every war. As spectators, we have the privilege of gaining our knowledge from the news rather than being at the forefront of bloodshed within Israel and Palestine. Amidst the violence, protests have spread throughout America. With Americans showing allegiance towards a chosen Middle Eastern country, bigotry and discrimination have catapulted nationally. Presented through varying demonstrations countrywide, ongoing controversies of support for the two countries have diminished the humanization of citizens impacted by the treacheries of war. In the midst of arguing over right and wrong, our nation has lost sight of empathy. Empathy for helpless civilians whose lives were destroyed, and empathy for those who identify as members of these ethnic communities. Though a controversial subject, it is no controversy that harm is done to both these groups. In America, it is a core right to assemble and protest to promote beliefs and reform, but this does not encourage belittling of an opposing side. Empathizing with each other to fight for the rights of innocent civilians caught in the crossfires of this conflict is what will help lead to eventual peace.
The ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict traces back to early tensions in the 1920s and 1940s, with disputes over issues like Palestinian refugees, Jewish settlements in the West Bank, Jerusalem’s status, and Palestinian statehood. Hamas, which governs Gaza and is classified as a terrorist organization by the United States and other Western nations, has engaged in several conflicts with Israel, which imposes a blockade to limit attacks. Palestinians, particularly in Gaza, cite the blockade and military actions as collective punishment, further fueling militant resistance. The current conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas fired over 5,000 rockets from the Gaza Strip into Israel. Since then, between Israel and Palestine, there have been nearly 45,000 fatalities, and over 110,000 more wounded along with the thousands that are still missing. The US government has played a central role in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict for over half a century after becoming involved after World War II. However, citizen involvements in political protests have become equally influential in this global affair.
Though Americans joined hand in hand in these protests, the divide between pro-Palestine and pro-Israel ideas only broadened. Utilizing their First Amendment right to freedom of speech and the right of assembly, millions determined it was time to take action into their own hands and take the streets to fight for an end to the war. Fights broke out, and anti-semitic and Islamaphobic slurs and phrases were utilized, blaming entire races for a war in which those specific people had no part in. Rather than a protest for freedom or a protest to free entrapped citizens, Americans have used polarizing language that fails to operate in an empathetic way. Innocent Americans have begun to fear for their lives.
Investigations were opened by the House of Representatives and the Department of Education looking into anti-semitism in universities across the United States including multiple Ivy Leagues, UC System schools, and more, as a new survey by Alums for Campus Fairness pointed out that 44% of Jewish students and recent graduates do not feel safe on campus identifying with their religion. The level of trepidation became so overwhelming that a duo from Columbia University was prepared to leave their school for a week due to the unsafe environments provoked by the pro-Palestinian protests on campus. Even a journalist seeking to cover a protest became bombarded by mobs when simply trying to do her job, facing harassment as a scare tactic to remove her from the premises of a public park that anyone should have been permitted to enter. Hate crimes continue to escalate around the country harming the Jewish and Palestinian communities. In Vermont, three Palestinian college students were shot, one becoming paraplegic due to the severity of injuries. The U.S. government even issued a warning, suggesting that US citizens avoid areas of Israel-related demonstrations in order to ensure their safety, with an uptake in rallies once again a year after Hamas’s first attack. In no way is this to suggest protests should not be permitted, but that there should be a level of civility in this form of expression, ensuring the safety of fellow American citizens while continuing to promote one’s objectives. Everyone should be allowed to state their mind and make their voices heard, but not to the detriment of others.
Though these demonstrations create a forum to fight for one’s beliefs, it is imperative not to tear down others with pejorative and discriminatory comments regarding entire populations. America has always been stronger united, and that has yet to cease. Americans should create an extension framework: using activism to net more supporters than they may otherwise not have. Empathy. No one side is in the right in this war. No one side is to blame for the harm caused to every injured, missing, and murdered civilian. Simply because you associate yourself with one side does not mean you must agree with each of their actions. Your heritage is not your story; it is your history. The history of understanding where you come from, understanding their motives, and understanding that it is okay not to know every nuance about the opposition. There is room to learn, room to come together to view the conflict from a different perspective.
Being Jewish, I have seen first-hand how support for one side has led to hatred of entire countries, ethnic groups, and religions. I have witnessed peers and friends alike changing their attitudes about me as a person because of my religious identity. Simply because I do not have the same stereotypical physical attributes society has deemed as “Jewish”, I have faced anti-semitism from people after discovering my religious background. Yet despite the backlash I receive, I continue to support the civilians, not falling into the division of which background one falls under. I wish for the safety of my family members living in Israel just as much as for the protection of Palestinian civilians. Families should not be caught in the crossfires of war, and this conflict is no different.
While interning for the 5th Legislative District of New Jersey in the office of Congressman Josh Gottheimer, my perception shifted as I spoke to the multitudes of constituents each week. Through receiving hundreds of calls each day, no voice went unheard. Through each plea for a ceasefire in Gaza, controversy in sending military support to Israel, and sending aid to those trapped, every interaction was logged and submitted into the government database, ensuring that the general public of America was heard. Constituents called, students and faculty alike, retelling their tales of the angst felt when walking on the grounds of Rutgers University, fearing for their lives after facing the anti-semitic chants of protests. Palestinian-American residents called and emailed pleading for assistance in protecting their families in Gaza. I listened to story after story, gaining perspectives on the conflict with the troubles of Israeli and Palestinian families, both urging that the U.S. government assist in rectifying their troubles. Calls came through from the Middle East. Americans were entrapped, overhearing gunshots, doing whatever they could to get home. Weeks after calls, our office would get messages of gratitude for retrieving and recovering Americans back to safety. I continue to reflect on my time in the District Office, appreciating the opportunity to be the first voice heard by these citizens, and to have listened to stories from all sides of the conflict. As Americans, we all must do what we can to help all citizens in need, not just those we politically align with.
Every victim, no matter how young or old, no matter the side, every one of them is human. An Israeli life is worth no less than a Palestinian life, and no less than an American life; just as much as a Palestinian life is worth no less than an Israeli life. Prejudicial hatred towards one side is not providing greater strength for the other. Supporting the innocent lives is not an impartial and easy way out of choosing a side within this conflict. Standing with civilians should not be controversial. Promoting the rescue of hostages should not be up for debate. Understanding the faults of both sides is a step closer to American unity against this issue as well as a step closer to a solution and eventual peace. Each voice in this world matters, so why not use your voice for positive change?