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Roberto Rachewsky
In defense of Liberty and Individual Rights - Writer and Speaker

Empathy, or lack of it.

Empathy can be perceived as being synonymous with hypocrisy. Despite disagreements manifested by empaths themselves. The individual proceeds to express empathy by stating, “I experience a similar emotional state to yours, as if I were in your position.” If the individual experiencing distress were to express a desire to exchange positions with the empathetic individual, the empathetic individual would assert in a resounding manner, “Hold on, my emotions are of a conceptual nature.”

Individuals actively engage in expressing their opinions, finding entertainment in unproductive social media interactions, experiencing empathy, expressing remorse, and experiencing various emotions. They also engage in virtue signaling. However, there is a lack of genuine desire or willingness to fully invest oneself in these activities. Empathy can be perceived as a term that encompasses elements of hypocrisy, sentimentality, and self-indulgence. However, when the individual subjected to unfair treatment is of Jewish descent, the display of empathy diminishes. Moreover, if he is of Israeli nationality the phenomenon of empathy is, in a sudden manner, transformed into either antisemitism or antizionism.
Emotional appeals are particularly prominent amidst the various demonstrations advocating for a truce, a ceasefire, and the immediate establishment of peace. Even though peace has not acquired. Individuals who express dissent towards retaliatory measures, aimed at capturing the attention, increasing public consciousness, and influencing public sentiment to exert pressure on Israel, while simultaneously rescuing the individuals who were abducted by the Hamas terrorist organization on October 7th. These individuals exhibit a diminished capacity for empathy towards the real and only victims, specifically Israeli citizens who have suffered fatalities or abductions at the hands of terrorists. They exhibit a reluctance to empathize with the experiences of individuals identifying as Jewish, could be Americans or Capitalists.

I read articles talking about poor Palestinians suffering. I watch videos about spreading love in the name of humanity, I listen to songs about building bridges, tearing down walls, and tying up loose ends left by a heinous terrorist act that forgets who is involved and implicated in this insidious event. It is imperative to denounce and actively address all manifestations of violence that are rooted in the exertion of force. It is imperative, nonetheless, to discern between the utilization of force and the reprehensible acts of violence that we seek to denounce. The utilization of retaliatory force against individuals who have initiated force in the first place does not qualify as an act of violence and does not constitute a violent action. Violence can be defined as the exertion of physical force that infringes upon inalienable rights of individuals, principles that have been widely acknowledged by civilized societies as fundamental moral tenets for fostering harmonious cohabitation among rational beings who share common yet distinct objectives.

Convincing individuals who have experienced violence that employing a substantial level of force as a means of retribution against perpetrators of evil does not conveys a message of love is an exceedingly challenging endeavor. The statement is accurate. The message conveyed is of an amorous nature. The intensity of an individual’s emotional reaction is related to the extent of their distress resulting from the perceived reality in connection with deep thinking about core principles and values, which are existential. The act of justifiable and morally valid retaliation can be understood as a compassionate communication that advocates for a cause rooted in humanitarian principles such as the preservation of life, the pursuit of freedom, the establishment of justice, and the promotion of love. There is no action that exhibits greater compassion than a response that combines reason and sentiment to discern the underlying facts and values in all facets of existence.
Certain individuals are no longer present in our midst but exist as part of our memories. Some were detained as hostages, while others were murdered under circumstances that are for more than cruel perversity. All hostages are living in our imagination. We nurture the idea that they are in good health, which persistently allow us to belief that we have hope to meet them in favorable circumstances lie in the future. The exclusive authority to articulate our perspectives lies solely within our own capacity. Human beings possess an inherent awareness of their emotional states, physical discomfort, and distressing experiences. What are the thoughts and emotions experienced by Israeli victims who continue to reside in Gaza? What is the precise nature of their cognitive processes and thoughts? What is the issue or problem concerning them? Is there any remaining optimism for their situation? Does their faith exhibit the same level of tenacity as ours?

There is a global demand for the safe return of the hostages, as their loved ones and acquaintances seek definitive resolution to alleviate the emotional void within them. There is a collective yearning within humanity to address the profound void within our inner beings, which has been attributed to the actions of individuals characterized as barbaric. The perception of the warmth emitted by a human being which lies somewhere else but is deeply connected with their beloving relatives or friends by intangible connections, the auditory sensations experienced internally without any sounds yield or whispered , and the enduring recollection of a joyful expression despite the absence of audible laughter or visible smiles are phenomena that we observe. Individuals who have experienced the loss of a cherished relative or friend possess a comprehensive comprehension of the void they currently endure.
Emotion is a consequential phenomenon, albeit of paramount importance. Each emotion is associated with a specific set of values. Individuals who experience deep affection for others are profoundly impacted by the loss of their beloved individuals. Individuals who experience the profound emotion of love and subsequently endure its loss are compelled to undergo a distinct phase characterized by grieving and the process of psychological and emotional recovery. In contrast, the formation of scars does not occur during the period when wounds remain open. The act of mourning fulfills the role of substituting the sensory experiences that are no longer accessible with recollections.

When confronted with the pain produced when our loved ones are taken unexpectedly by terror attacks, individuals commonly encounter distressing personal encounters. An impossible dichotomy arises causing a split between our body and soul which never will be cured. The pursuit of vengeance is a characteristic inherent to human nature, while the pursuit of justice is a rational response. Furthermore, given our human condition, it becomes imperative to ensure the permanent removal of the individuals responsible for these actions from our society, if not, from life. Anyone who endeavors to impede our actions is exhibiting signs of irrationality. Insanity can be characterized as a state of being wherein an individual lacks the capacity to engage in cognitive processes, experience emotions, endure distress, or express sorrow, primarily due to a lack of awareness or connection with reality.

The Holocaust serves as a poignant reminder of the presence of malevolence in human history. There was no need for any additional manifestations of it. Nevertheless, malevolence emerged and illustrated its enduring presence, refuting the notion that it is merely a relic of bygone eras. The persistence of malevolence remains evident, as a notable date, namely October 7th, demands our attention. A total of 6,001,400 individuals have tragically lost their lives due to targeted persecution solely based on their Jewish identity. What is the projected number of additional occurrences that need to be accounted for before the ultimate success of the Never Again movement is achieved? A robust reaction encompasses more than just seeking retribution or pursuing justice for past, present, or future occurrences. When the pursuit of retribution and fairness is undertaken, the focus lies not on mortality or affliction, but rather on vitality and the attainment of a harmonious and tranquil tomorrow.

The relationship between the proportionality of a reaction and the value standard identified by rational individuals is observed in the context of those who respond and retaliate against the violence they have initially experienced. The determination of appropriate actions towards individuals who have inflicted significant harm upon victims is not within the purview of any singular authority. The Israeli populace is experiencing profound distress and emotional turmoil due to the irrevocable losses inflicted by individuals characterized as barbaric, whose sole objective was to seize territory, harm and kill people whose community had previously enjoyed a state of tranquility. Ultimately, it is imperative to exclude these individuals from the broader social fabric.

The Lion of Judah is engaged in contemplation, experiencing emotions, and responding accordingly. Within this context, the lion serves as a metaphorical expression. The lions, the sons of Judá must teach to the sons of Hamas step by step how to become an rational human being, developing the potential every individual has towards rationality, self-esteem, and purpose to address the issue of terrorism to make sure the next generation of individuals who lives in Gaza gain a strong inclination towards humanitarianism, thereby enabling them to experience emotions such as sadness and shame in response to their parents’ involvement in terrorist activities.

About the Author
Roberto Rachewsky was born in 1955, in Porto Alegre, southern Brazil. His great-grandparents came from Bessarabia (Moldova and Ukraine), fleeing the pogroms of Tsar Nicholas II. Belonging to a family of traders, Roberto is the owner of an international logistics company and is an active supporter of laisse-faire capitalism for which he co-founded several institutions to spread the ideas of freedom. He recently published the book "The Greek, the Friar and the Heroine", which deals with the philosophical connection between Aristotle, Thomas Aquinas and Ayn Rand.