What the war in Gaza is telling us about the people we know.
Stock Photo of a man removing his mask
Over a hundred days into the Gaza conflict, and opinions are flying left and right. Forget about political alliances; this showdown between Israel and Palestine is unveiling people’s true colors. Some of the seemingly kind and warm folks are revealing a monstrous side, justifying the support for actions like murdering children and bombing innocent civilians. The old rhetoric of “If Hamas would just give up their hostages” or countering criticism with “Oh, you’re just antisemitic” is getting old real fast. It is a lazy argument. It’s time for a reality check on what compassion and decency really mean.
Freshly released images depict the plight of displaced Palestinians in the Gaza strip. In real-time, families are being torn apart, with the scenes broadcast live for the world to witness. Contrary to Gil Scott Heron’s famous words, “The revolution will not be televised,” it is indeed televised. Each one of us is a witness to these events, and history is likely to judge harshly those who advocate for extreme measures like “bombing the shit out of them.”
The question arises: What drives seemingly good individuals to act harshly towards a particular ethnic group? In the year 2024, it’s disheartening to witness echoes of the treatment African Americans endured in the early 20th century, marked by the era of Jim Crow laws in the U.S. These laws enforced a form of apartheid, prohibiting African Americans from sharing public facilities, including bathrooms, with white individuals. The dehumanization of an entire ethnic group is indeed disturbing to observe. The unsettling comments made when people feel excessively at ease are both alarming and best left unspoken. We are seeing in real time how Palestinians are treated as subhuman.
I pose the question: How did we arrive at this point? A defense of the IDF as the most moral and humanitarian force in the world, based on the claim that they dropped leaflets warning Gazans three weeks prior. Before we collectively sigh, let’s reflect on the journey that brought us here. In the United States, individuals who identify as good people are cheering for the bombing and genocide of an entire race. The question emerges: How do people adopt narratives from their preferred news sources, echoing the sentiments of their favorite talking heads? This is undeniably a situation of mass slaughter. The perplexing aspect is understanding why individuals who are typically considered good act in this manner.
Commentators like Piers Morgan, Sky News, and CNN seem stuck on the same narrative: “If they just release the hostages.” Do you recall the incident when Israel accidentally shot three of their own people? Finally, news broadcasters are starting to push back. Witnessing the Palestinian Ambassador to the U.K., Husam Zomlot, presenting compelling arguments against the pro-Israel stance was truly remarkable. Yet, the question persists: How can anyone defend the killing of innocents, and how do well-intentioned individuals find justification in such actions? Considering the impact of social media on reshaping the global news landscape, should we entertain the possibility that these people might be influenced by fake news and propaganda?
Finland presents a solution! The nation is actively educating children on discerning fake news and understanding artificial intelligence. The emphasis is on instilling a questioning mindset in kids, recognizing the role of propaganda in warfare to garner support. Students are learning to identify the harm in spreading propaganda and recognizing bots. The question arises: Could we reap benefits from similar programs? Undoubtedly! Finland’s Media Literacy Program is realigning its focus to equip children with skills in identifying misinformation. Could the United States benefit from such a program?
https://www.nordicpolicycentre.org.au/media_literacy_education_in_finland