It has been a very long time since my last post, and I hadn’t planned on writing again so soon. However, the current situation in Gaza, the suffering of Palestinians, and what I perceive as indifference or ignorance from pro-Israeli voices have compelled me to break my silence.
I find it difficult to comprehend how many Israelis could knowingly support their government’s actions, which numerous international bodies and figures have strongly criticized. The United Nations, most European countries, South Africa, Brazil, Argentina, etc along with countless politicians, artists, authors, activists, and performers worldwide have voiced their concerns about the situation in Gaza and expressed support for the Palestinian people, a free Palestine and a stop to the genocide inflicted on the Palestinians.
One possible explanation for this disconnect could be limited access to diverse media sources within Israel, potentially restricting exposure to alternative viewpoints. In light of this, I recently responded to a post on Classic FM’s Facebook page with a story that I believe illustrates the mindset of some Israeli supporters who may not be fully aware of the broader context.
You can find the original post and my response here.
The story I shared aims to provoke thought about how strongly held beliefs can sometimes lead to dismissing contrary evidence, even in high-stakes situations.
The Story
John was cruising down the highway in his pickup truck, whistling along to his favorite country song. Suddenly, he noticed something odd – all the other cars seemed to be driving in the opposite direction on his side of the road.
“What in tarnation?” he muttered, swerving to avoid an oncoming minivan.
Just then, an urgent announcement crackled over the radio: “Warning! A vehicle has been reported driving the wrong way on Highway 66. Please exercise extreme caution!”
John chuckled and shook his head. “Would you listen to that?” he said to his bewildered passenger. “They’re talking about one car, but look around! It’s not just one – it’s all of ’em going the wrong way!”
As more cars honked and swerved around him, John remained convinced that he was the only one driving correctly.