Empathy. What is it? The Oxford Dictionary describes empathy as “the ability to understand another person’s feelings.” Empathy is shown in many ways. Comforting a friend? That is empathy. Listening to someone when they need it? That is empathy. For me, a Jewish person, empathy is part of the foundation which my faith is built on. Past my faith, whether you know me or not, empathy is something I try my best to put forth to every interaction.
In the past two years of the violent conflict in Israel, empathy has become even more important in my life. Mainly, empathy toward the people of Israel.
For some background, my mom was adopted at a very young age by an Israeli immigrant, and despite the fact that she may have looked different, or she was not from Israel, her new family still took her in and showed her the utmost empathy. As an ‘unofficial Israeli,” my heart will always lie there in the kindness that was shown toward my mother by her adoptive family.
With my family living there, and having to worry about their safety every day, my views on Israel are simple; I want the war to end. My empathy for Israel and the people living there has been astronomical since the day I was taught about the beautiful country.
Even though I am an Israel supporter through and through, I still show much empathy to the other side of the conflict. They are people, just like the Israelis. They bleed the same blood, just like the Israelis. They quite literally drink the same water as the Israelis. The oppressive terrorists in Gaza do nothing but hurt and starve the civilians there, and intentionally put them in harm’s way. I anxiously wait for the day where there can be a peaceful, with hopefully an amicable, two state solution.
Recently, it has become a commonality to be harsh and dismissive toward empathy. Showing empathy to the other side of the conflict has become something that is looked down upon. When have our hearts grown so small to where there is only enough room for empathy toward one group of people? This does not go toward one side of the conflict, but to both.
In the past two years, the lack of empathy toward Jewish people has been staggering. Never would I think that I would get the amount of hate I have gotten. Never would I think that having a random person comment antisemitic hate on a completely unrelated Instagram post of mine, just because I have a Jewish star in my bio would be a thing I would have to experience.
The issue of antisemitism is something I want people to be more aware of. Since the war was reignited, the amount of hatred toward Jewish people has been a horrific sight to see. I believe that it is mine, along with everyone else’s job to make sure this trend stops. To see any group of people get marginalized is terrible, no less my own religion.
Again though, this claim goes for both sides.
The lack of empathy toward the innocent civilians of the other side has been surprising. Whether we like it or not, Israel has not been correct in everything they have done. The Gazans deserve better treatment, from an official and elected government specifically, not a terrorist organization. They deserve our empathy just as much as the Israelis do.
Most civilians do not like the terrorist regime there. Most do not align with the war. We need to realize that a small group of people does not represent a larger one. We can not justify violence on an entire group of people just based on the false conclusion that all civilians are terrorists. It is simply not true, and a horrible way of thinking.
Many who are Jewish do not show empathy for the civilians of Gaza. Honestly, while I do not agree with this fully, there is no excuse for the action that started this all; the October 7 attacks in Israel. There have been many articles written on that subject so I will not delve too deep into it, but I truly believe it signified a melancholic future for the Jewish people everywhere.
There is a statement we like to use: Never again is now. The “never again” part refers to the Holocaust and the extermination of the Jewish Europeans. The “now” part refers to the ongoing situation for the Jewish people everywhere. Everywhere, my people have suffered severe antisemitism, hasty generalizations and unwarranted hate for no apparent reason. This needs to end.
I would like to make it known. I am not just defending my religion and my people; I am defending the ideals which peace is built on. Far too often, we see hate go unnoticed. We see hate get justified. We see hate happen.
What everyone needs to know is that hate is hate. No matter why. No matter who. No matter what, hate is hate, and it is something that needs to stop. People always talk about living in a “perfect utopia,” or living in harmony. What many do not realize is that this cannot be achieved with hate in anyone’s heart.
This all ties back to empathy. We need to show more empathy. We need to change the minds of those who are hateful.
For me, empathy is something I try to show each and every day. To anyone. Normally, I would say to try to achieve change in the name of Israel. Naturally, as a Jewish person I would. But this October 7th, I say change in the name of the world. Change in the name of empathy. Change for peace.
