OPINION: Finding it hard to face facts? Let me make it easy for you
Why is it so difficult for people to acknowledge what's happening before their eyes, asks former chair of BICOM, Edward Misrahi
Dear World
During this difficult situation in the region, I’m writing from Israel to let you know that, as someone who has lived across many continents and cultures, when I look at some of the reactions across the world one thought comes to mind: It is really not that hard. Let me elaborate.
It is not hard to condemn terrorist attacks against civilians.
It is not hard to see that acts perpetrated on 7 October was one of the largest atrocities any of us has ever seen.
It is not hard to say that Hamas are evil and proud to commit evil.
It is not hard to realise that living a life where rushing to a bunker is common practice is not normal.
It is not hard to condemn multiple and extensive rapes.
It is not hard to condemn any form of antisemitism or any other form of discrimination.
It is not hard to condemn taking civilian hostages and provide no access to the Red Cross to evaluate their health.
It is not hard to condemn chants and slogans that call for violence or elimination of a group of people.
It is not hard to condemn protest behaviour that is aggressive and bullying and has sometimes been violent.
It is not hard to condemn attacks from another party (Hezbollah) on Israel that does not even care about the Palestinian issue.
It is not hard to learn a little to make sure that you actually understand what you are singing in the marches or posting on your social media.
It is not hard to learn the meaning of colonialisation, ethnic cleansing and genocide before using it widely.
It is not hard to understand that a country cannot have a neighbour whose leader’s objectives are the destruction of the country and its people.
It is not hard to be against Hamas and pro-Palestinian.
It is not hard to make sure that university environments are safe for all students.
It is not hard to say you stand against genocide without context.
It is not hard to believe that being ruled by a terrorist organisation is not good for its population.
It is not hard to understand that media from countries with no freedom of press needs to be evaluated differently – do you really believe all that the North Korean or Iranian government say about its people?
It is not hard to understand that a location cannot be devoid of everything but have the ability to build hundreds of kilometres of underground tunnels and massive weaponry.
It is not hard to wonder why the Palestinian leaders are so wealthy whilst the population remains so poor.
It is not hard to wonder why for the UN humanitarian organisations, Israeli humanitarian issues are not important
But somehow you are finding it hard. It does not have to be.
Many people who don’t find any of these things hard are very critical of Israel and their treatment of Palestinians and believe we need to find a constructive way forward.
Many people who don’t find this very hard are devastated about the loss of civilian lives in Gaza.
Many people who don’t find this very hard are very critcal of the current Israeli government.
Many people who don’t find this hard are very worried about the impact on Palestinian lives and the loss of civilian life.
Many people who don’t find this very hard want an immediate ceasefire.
Many people who don’t find this very hard want us to negotiate with Hamas to ensure we release the hostages.
Be as critical as you want of the Israeli policies and the war. Protest peacefully to ensure your voice is heard. Propose new solutions that maybe we had not thought about. Israel need to ensure its security first but a long term resolution of this situation is going to need the help and involvement of the world.
Resolving this situation is going to be hard and painful. There are some very hard decisions coming ahead for Israelis and Palestinians.
But not all of it has to be this hard.
• Edward Misrahi is a businessman, philanthropist and former chair of BICOM (Britain Israel Communications and Research Centre). He made aliyah in 2020
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