It's hard to find words to speak on Gaza, but silence is complicity

I’ve contemplated this silence and even felt a twinge of guilt for not addressing it more frequently. I asked myself if I was growing indifferent but in truth it’s simply that I’m struggling to find the right words.

This is quite unfortunate, as I have literally one job: I write about what is happening, endeavouring to introduce diverse perspectives and engage in fostering a conversation that is both enlightened and respectful.

However, truthfully, I find myself struggling to uncover fresh angles or insights that could significantly contribute to this dialogue. The atrocities unfolding since October 2023 are beyond comprehension.

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This inability to find the right words brought to mind Friedrich Hegel. Please bear with me, even if German philosophy isn’t your area of interest. During my final year of high school, I dedicated eight hours a week to the study of philosophy, and Hegel’s core theories have remained with me ever since.

Hegel’s theory on the relationship between words and clarity of thought is based on the idea that language and thought are deeply interconnected. According to Hegel, our ability to effectively express ourselves with words hinges on our understanding of the concepts or ideas we seek to communicate.

In essence, Hegel suggests that struggling to find the appropriate words may indicate a lack of clarity in one’s comprehension of the underlying idea. This concept resonates profoundly with the current situation surrounding the conflict in Gaza. Much like Hegel’s theory implies, the difficulty in articulating the perplexing and incomprehensible nature of the conflict may stem from a broader lack of clarity in understanding it.

Despite the loss of countless lives, the overwhelming humanitarian toll, and the increasing global opposition to the war, the underlying reasons behind why world leaders allow the tragedy in Gaza to persist remain unclear to me. It’s as though the essence of this conflict defies rational explanation or coherent understanding.

So I just can’t write about it, because I can’t make sense of it.

The suffering endured by those living under constant threat of bombardment and the immeasurable loss experienced by countless families is beyond my comprehension.

Even attempting to empathise with such pain feels like stepping into a different world, where I fear I might crumble into nothingness. Yet amidst this apocalypse, we witness politicians engaging in debates over the fairness or justification of the Israeli military’s actions.

In the face of such immense human suffering, our political leaders seem to be disconnected, despite the outcry from the public to halt the bloodshed. It’s no wonder that many feel their voices fading away.

Given everything that has happened, it’s a mystery to me that the UK continues to supply arms to Israel. The UK Government has faced mounting pressure to halt arms sales to Israel, especially in light of the staggering Palestinian death toll, which has surpassed 34,000 people since October 7.

Humanitarian workers, health professionals, and journalists have tragically lost their lives in this conflict. More than 600 lawyers, including former Supreme Court justices, signed a letter warning that the UK Government risks violating international law, including potentially breaching the Genocide Convention, by continuing to export weapons to Israel.

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What more is there to add when the UK’s stance is crystal clear: arms exports can’t proceed if there’s a foreseeable risk they’ll contribute to serious breaches of international humanitarian law?

How can find words when the notion of legitimate defence following an appalling attack in Israel is twisted to justify the indiscriminate killing of civilians and egregious violence?

Yet, some argue that the UK’s arms exports to Israel are so insignificant that halting them wouldn’t make a difference ... what is there to say in the face of such feeble justifications? The scale of arms exports alone doesn’t solely determine a nation’s duty or moral obligation to address conflicts.

While the UK’s volume of arms sent to Israel may seem small compared to other suppliers – in particular the US, which accounted for 68% of weapon sales to Israel between 2013 and 2022 – it doesn’t exempt the UK from taking a principled stance on the Gaza conflict. Even if British arms exports to Israel have limited direct impact, the UK still holds a moral obligation to denounce actions leading to humanitarian crises and breaches of international law.

Silence or inaction will be seen as implicit approval or complicity, rendering any discourse on promoting peace, justice, and human rights hollow.

In my view, it’s essential to engage in dialogue with Israel if they’re considered our friend and ally. It’s a basic principle. I don’t expect Hamas to co-operate or listen in any way – it’s a terrorist organisation. So yes, they committed an unspeakable act of violence on October 7, and yes they need to release every single hostage that they took.

And yes, at the same time, I do expect Israel, our democratic ally, to consider other perspectives – especially from those who provide what it needs to defend itself.

However, those supporters also need to be willing to make their opinions heard. The principle of legitimate defence doesn’t justify every action, and acknowledging this being anti-Israel or pro-Hamas – it means taking the very reasonable side of humanity.

I don’t know what to say about the potential long-term ramifications of this war and the monstrosities it may breed. It reminds me of the war in Iraq, which not only unleashed untold suffering on its populace but also destabilised the entire region, fuelling extremism and terrorism.

We can still see the repercussions today in terms of global security. Similarly, the protracted conflict in Gaza threatens to sow seeds of further instability, polarisation, and radicalisation, with far-reaching consequences for global security.

The cycle of violence and retaliation perpetuated by this conflict risks perpetuating a vicious cycle of hatred and retribution, with innocent civilians bearing the brunt of the fallout. I fear the legacy of this war will be one of enduring chaos and despair, and that our governments will try to escape their responsibility in this.

I don’t know what to say about the plight of children who are disproportionately affected by the war in Gaza, and notably, the hesitation of world leaders to intervene and stop this conflict.

The sheer absurdity of this situation leaves little space for additional commentary or analysis. When children bear the brunt of the suffering, it’s a stark condemnation of leadership and humanity’s failure.

In the presence of such overwhelming anguish, words seem inadequate. Perhaps this is where we rely on artists, poets, painters, and singers to convey the magnitude of this tragedy.