By: Erik Subashi
On October 7th, I recall opening the news and being confronted with horrifying images of Hamas forces invading Israel, resulting in the massacre of thousands. Like millions of others, I was greatly shocked by these appalling actions.
Having already witnessed over a year and a half of the unprovoked slaughter of Ukrainian civilians by Russian armed forces, it was deeply disheartening to witness yet another major conflict erupt in an already tragedy-stricken region. Sadly, this conflict is just one of many major conflicts occurring worldwide, with similar images of destruction and suffering making us sympathize with all those affected.
However, this conflict felt distinct from others, with the systematic murder of thousands by its perpetrators exposing something darker than the traditional sense of war we are used to.
This was not another act of random violence, but rather the result of internal struggles finally deciding to settle their scores. It went beyond brutish military actions, presenting as acts of extermination aimed at eliminating something perceived as greater than a mere enemy, but rather as subhuman in the eyes of the perpetrators. Their targets’ mere existence ignited a hatred deeply embedded within them. In simple terms, it was genocide in its most evil form.
Though it may not have reached the scale of the Holocaust, the intentions of the aggressors share a resemblance to its atrocities. For the Israeli nation, shaped in the aftermath of the Holocaust, it was an action viewed as nothing less.
The events that unfolded extend beyond another episode of anti-Israeli violence. They are the cause of decades of institutionalized antisemitic indoctrination and brainwashing, resulting in a populace where such murderous acts are deemed necessary and commendable.
In the West, we have always proclaimed “never again” when discussing the destruction unleashed during the Holocaust. At that time, it was a solemn vow as the Jewish people, largely decimated and traumatized by the Holocaust, could not speak for themselves. Today, they can, and rightfully so, ensure that we uphold that pledge as they once again face hate.
From this perspective, Israel’s current objective to dismantle the Hamas regime in Gaza is crucial for regional peace and the security of the Israeli state. Attempts to contain Hamas’ actions have proven futile. The Israeli people cannot be expected to revert to a pre-war status quo, a stance our nations did not adopt against the Nazi Germans. Israel has every right to enforce its security and protect its people when faced with danger.
While we all wish for an end to war, witnessing the suffering of children in Palestine, Israeli refugees, and innocent civilians caught in the crossfire is a terrible sight. The fate of the forces that committed such terrible action should be like the Nazis — with the unconditional surrender of the perpetrators. I hope that our friends in Israel settle for nothing less than total victory, including allies and causing the capitulation of the evil that controls Palestine.
We learned in the aftermath of the Second World War that hard work and staunch support are imperative for victory. Yes, we aided in rebuilding post-war Germany, but we also dismantled the ideologies that fueled the aggression. Only then was peace restored, and resilient nations emerged in place of the old.
The idea that Israeli forces must immediately withdraw from Gaza and endorse a “two-state solution,” as advocated by Palestinian sympathisers, is not only foolish but insincere. Israel attempted this approach in 2005, leading to the current. An evident that an effective two-state solution will not materialize for the same reasons since 1947 — the rejection by most Palestinians. While Israel faces numerous obstacles to achieving this, they are not the main root of the problem.
Conversely, many Palestinians have been indoctrinated with various one-state slogans, advocating for the elimination of a Jewish state from any land considered Palestine. We must abandon the notion that a two-state solution can coexist while such views persist. Yes, a Palestinian state must be established, and Israel should contribute to its development. However, Israel should not be forced into a path dictated by the ideologies that are flourishing in Palestine.
A greater perspective is necessary for Westerners to comprehend. This war is not merely between Israelis and Palestinians; it is part of a broader and dangerous series of events.
Before October 7th, we were on the brink of a new Middle East. A new generation of Arab leaders was abandoning the extremes of the past, with countries like the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia improving relations with Israel.
Nevertheless, the West continues to pursue improved relations with the Iranians, whose views differ vastly from their Arab counterparts. They disregard the medieval jihad and theocratic empire that Tehran seeks to establish. We watched passively as they seized control in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, and Gaza, despite Arab and Israeli warnings to counter these threats.
In this context, the West’s support for Israel’s war effort is more than a moral obligation; rather a small step in addressing a much larger threat. I am not referring to terrorism similar to what followed 9/11 or attacks on vital international shipping routes. Rather, I refer to the potentially global risk posed by powerful regional states combining aggression, extremist ideologies, and nuclear capabilities. I hope we recognize this broader perspective as a pressing issue to be addressed before it’s too late.
In summary, this is a critical moment to continuously give strong support to Israel, not merely because it is just, but because it is in the best interest of global security and peace.
(This article is an opinion piece of a student of FHCI and does not contain the ideas of GF)