The weight of history weighs heavily on the situation in the Middle East. The actions taken by Hamas during their attack on Israel on 7th October were abhorrent. My thoughts are with both the Israeli and Palestinian families who have lost loved ones.
There is no valid justification for the killing of innocent civilians or hostage taking that took place on that day. All countries have a right to defend themselves to keep their people safe, this is the first priority of any government.
Supporting Jewish people does not mean that you agree with the actions of the Israeli government, just as supporting the rights of Palestinians does not mean that you back the actions of Hamas. There are many Jewish people who back the rights of Palestinians and strongly disagree with the actions taken by the current government of Israel, which is furthering the appalling humanitarian crisis in Palestine. The inability of people to recognise this duality has led to the dramatic increase in antisemitism across the world and it must stop.
Without apportioning blame, the actions of both sides have led to the desire for revenge outweighing any calls for peace. However, any attempts at a military solution are likely to bring more people to the cause and further increase the hate and division in the region.
A resolution to the conflict seems further away than ever. It will require the help of the international community. It will involve bitter enemies talking to one another and conceding on issues that they will find extremely difficult both on a personal and political level.
It is easier to show hate than it is to spread love. No matter how far away it seems at the moment, only a two-state solution will bring a peace to the region. For those who genuinely want a solution, it is time to choose peace rather than choose a side. There has to be hope as without it, the hate and division will continue. A humanitarian pause is needed as the vital first step towards a lasting ceasefire so that the difficult process of finding a lasting peace can be found.
Julian Vaughan
4th November 2023
Comentarios