Taking Sides in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

This weekend, a friend mentioned his involvement with Urgence Palestine, a French collective denouncing the horrific actions of Israel on Gaza and calling for a cease file. When I asked if he had joined any demonstrations, he responded sharply, “Don’t tell me you’re pro-Israel!”

At that moment, I wasn’t sure how to respond. I haven’t considered “choosing sides” in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. I’ve visited Israel and thought it was a beautiful place with lovely people. i have many Jewish and Israeli acquaintances and business partners, while some of my closest friends over the years have been Arab Muslims. I’ve long felt that I didn’t need to take a side in this profoundly polarizing conflict, but that position is becoming harder to maintain in today’s world of fractured political narratives.

The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict is one of the most challenging geopolitical issues to discuss, and it feels like it’s only becoming more difficult. The roots of this dispute are intertwined with the very foundation of modern Israel, making it impossible to separate the conflict from the state itself. Both the Jews and Arabs have religious claims to the land, and both peoples have lived in the region over millennia.

It’s been a year since the atrocities committed by Hamas on October 7th. Families were torn apart as their loved ones were brutally murdered or taken hostage into Gaza. For Israelis and Jews all over the world, this day echoes the trauma of the Holocaust lived by their parents and grandparents.

On the other side, Palestinian civilians have endured unthinkable suffering as well for decades. Tens of thousands have been killed in the last year alone, most of them civilians. In the past month, Israeli bombings in Lebanon have already claimed the lives of over a thousand people. I cringe thinking about the volumes of dead people and how much longer this will go on.

At the same time, antisemitism is on the rise globally. In France, Jewish people have been increasingly targeted. Facing bullying, assault, and even rape, reports from the Interior Minister announced a 192% increase in acts of antisemitism year-over-year. Recently, a young Jewish girl was gang-raped simply because of her faith. It’s horrifying this is happening in my country.

Meanwhile, Arabs in Europe are stigmatized for sympathizing with their cousins in Lebanon and Gaza. They are afraid to speak out, lest they be labeled sympathizers to the terrorists. Racism and discrimination are on the rise as the far right gains more power across Europe, calling into question their very presence on the continent.

The true victims in this conflict are the innocent people caught in the middle—extremist leaders on both sides fuel hatred and violence. Ordinary Palestinians are being used as pawns by Hamas, while innocent Israelis are left to grapple with the horrors inflicted on them by their own government’s hardline policies.

Both the Palestinian and Israeli victims—are humans. They are caught in the crossfire of leaders who perpetuate hatred and violence. Hamas, Hezbollah, and their Iranian backers promote an agenda of destruction. On the other side, Netanyahu, alongside his ultra-orthodox, terrorist allies, drive their nation further into conflict.

Black Sabbath’s War Pigs, released over 50 years ago, still resonates as though it was written today. A few powerful individuals manipulate ideologies and hatred while ordinary people bear the brunt of the devastation.

Generals gathered in their masses
Just like witches at black masses
Evil minds that plot destruction
Sorcerer of death’s construction
In the fields, the bodies burning
As the war machine keeps turning
Death and hatred to mankind
Poisoning their brainwashed minds

Politicians hide themselves away
They only started the war
Why should they go out to fight?
They leave that all to the poor

Time will tell on their power minds
Making war just for fun
Treating people just like pawns in chess
Wait till their judgment day comes

Now, in darkness, world stops turning
Ashes where their bodies burning
No more war pigs have the power
Hand of God has struck the hour
Day of Judgment, God is calling
On their knees, the war pigs crawling
Begging mercies for their sins
Satan, laughing, spreads his wings