Supporting the Palestinian cause, pointing out the innocent victims of Israeli bombardments, and using their arguments are all valid actions. Quite another is to remove the images of children held hostage, and who have been separated from their parents (if they are still alive). Unfortunately, this unheard-of spectacle is happening in our democracies, where ordinary and decent individuals, similar to you and me, are quietly removing photos of Israeli child hostages from public displays. It is baffling to understand what goes on in their minds and why they believe they are doing the right thing by deliberately removing posters of infants captured by Hamas.
Hamas can be likened to a twisted form of Nazism, carrying out a genocidal project while deluding its numerous supporters into thinking they are fighting against injustice. It is a sympathetic form of Nazism, presenting itself as a victim while attracting supporters worldwide who genuinely believe they are working towards a better world. Nevertheless, just like any extermination campaign, Hamas also has its deniers. Surprisingly, these deniers are not limited to any specific group but can include students, workers, company directors, drivers, mothers, and even members of parliament who tear up or have photos of Jewish children removed. Paradoxically, Hamas itself hampers their efforts by proudly publicizing its abominable acts. Unlike the Nazis who sought to hide their crimes, Hamas revels in showcasing its actions on platforms like TikTok. Thus, catching these Holocaust deniers off-guard, they have little time to organize themselves. So, they resort to what they can do: snatching images. As futile as their actions may be, destroying images of Jewish children becomes a goal in itself. It allows the Holocaust denier, through proxy, to inflict harm on the bodies of these children and participate, in their own twisted way, in the joyous slaughter. It is a sickening state of affairs.
The terrifying sight of these image snatchers truly exposes how vulnerable human nature is to absolute evil. We foolishly believe that plagues like these are a thing of the past, but they resurface unexpectedly in our supposedly happy cities. They appear in the form of seemingly innocent individuals with clear consciences, convinced that they are doing the right thing by concealing the victims of genocide. We assume that we have learned from history's lessons, and yet within a day, an army of self-assured automatons rises up globally, attacking images of children held hostage solely because they are Jewish. These people are no different from you and me, but it is within their ranks that the assassins of tomorrow may be recruited.
In the midst of a dark night, vibrant flashes of orange illuminate the sky over Gaza, revealing a scene of immense tragedy. It doesn't take much to grasp the magnitude of the suffering occurring in the shadows, provided one possesses a compassionate heart and attentive ears. The voices of Hamas cannot be relied upon for truth, as their lies taint the understanding of the situation.
Soon, the images of innocent Gazan children caught in the crossfire will overshadow the memory of Israeli children who were held hostage or even lost their lives in the past. There have always been those who deny the suffering endured by the Palestinians. Following the announcement of this unimaginable pogrom, anti-Semitic attacks have surged globally. In the United States, Germany, France, and throughout Europe, there have been more than 719 incidents reported to date. It is distressing to contemplate the future, for in three months' time, countless photos of children who have perished in Gaza, some real and some fabricated by artificial intelligence, will likely displace any lingering images of Israeli children taken captive from their homes. Consequently, both Hamas and anti-Semitism will garner a multitude of new supporters.
The pro-Palestinian side has already begun chanting familiar refrains, clinging to the narrative of a vulnerable entity facing a superior force, and even perpetuating the vile stereotype of the child-killing Jew. On the other side, their pro-Israel counterparts find themselves drained of tears in their sorrow for the Palestinian children, whom some view as potential future threats to Jewish lives. Caught in their own biased information bubbles and emotionally charged corridors, people are becoming increasingly unwilling to listen, leading to a deepening divide and animosity. This electric atmosphere has already spread beyond national borders, trapping us all in the labyrinth of Gaza's tunnels. The darkness feels overwhelming.
Amidst the shadows, one man revels in his own perverse enjoyment. Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of Hamas, presents himself as a suave, well-groomed figure in a suit, sporting a neatly-trimmed white beard. He attracts numerous visitors to his lavish, air-conditioned villa when he is not busy giving provocative interviews on Al Jazeera. Haniyeh assumes the role of a victim, shedding crocodile tears and proclaiming the emergence of a "new holocaust," while simultaneously vowing to shed Israeli blood... blood that he himself is complicit in staining. This was his desired outcome. In response, Israel, aware that force is the only language understood by Islamists, took action. However, this retaliatory response lacks a clear objective and is likely to become mired in difficulties. How can they destroy the underground tunnels and stockpiles of rockets without causing harm to innocent individuals, potentially even hostages, and without falling into the traps set by Hamas? Unlike the coalition against Daech, even if the Israeli Defense Forces managed to gain control of all of northern Gaza, the leaders and their financial resources would remain secure, untouched, and possibly even fortified. Hamas cannot be eliminated. Instead, from the ashes, a thousand more killers and rockets could emerge.
The one glimmer of hope lies elsewhere, far away, at the end of the tunnel. It lies in the fact that the Israeli people no longer trust their leader, Netanyahu. Once the era of his oppressive rule comes to an end, they will hold accountable the nationalist hawks who have dangerously fixated on Hamas while neglecting the defense of Israeli territory in favor of expanding settlements. On that fateful day, they may need to find a Palestinian counterpart to Nelson Mandela, if one exists, in order to engage in meaningful dialogue.