The Power of Feelings in a World of Conflict

What separates humans from animals? Some say it’s intelligence, others claim it’s our ability to innovate, but many believe it is our capacity for deep, complex emotions. Yet, as I look at the world today, particularly at the war in Gaza since October 7, 2023, I question whether we truly embrace our humanity or if we are losing it to hate, fear, and division.

I have always felt like an outsider. Not from Mars, nor Venus, but from Uranus—a place far removed from the norms and expectations of this world. I view the Earth with sorrow and disappointment, yet Israel remains a beacon of both hope and fear in my heart. Hope for its endurance, fear for its constant struggle.

Hope for Israel, Hope for the World

There is an indescribable joy that fills my soul when I walk the streets of Israel. It is a land of resilience, a land that breathes history, faith, and perseverance. But the contrast between that joy and the heartbreak I feel when I sit behind my computer screen, absorbing the news, is overwhelming. Each day, I see more hatred, more misinformation, and more people afraid to speak up for what is right.

The war in Gaza has exposed the depths of this issue. Antisemitism has surged, and the silence of those who should stand against it is deafening. In the Netherlands, I witness the growing disdain for Israel and its people. Zionists, Jews, and supporters of Israel face scorn and threats, while others stay silent out of fear. Fear of losing their social standing, fear of backlash, fear of simply standing up for the truth.

But what does fear solve? Nothing. Fear only empowers those who seek to erase history, to rewrite the narrative, and to justify hate.

Never Again Means Never Again

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I often hear the phrase “Never Again” when we speak of the Holocaust, but words alone are meaningless if we do not act. When Jewish leaders in Europe suggest that saying “Israel must disappear” is acceptable under the guise of free speech, I am devastated. This is not freedom; this is the normalization of hate. This is the road to another dark chapter in Jewish history.

And yet, amid all this despair, there is still light. There is still Israel—a nation standing firm, fighting for its right to exist. A nation where young men and women join the IDF, not out of hatred but out of a love so deep that they are willing to protect their homeland with their blood, sweat, and tears. The IDF, often misrepresented, remains one of the most moral armies in the world, holding onto the ethics and values that much of the world seems to have abandoned.

The Strength to Fight Alone

I will not be silent. I will not look away. I will not accept the world’s indifference. With all my energy, my love, and my determination, I will fight for justice. If it means standing alone, then so be it. Because I believe in the resilience of Israel. I believe in its people. And I believe that no matter how much hate rises, Israel will stand.

The world may falter, Europe may be lost, but Am Yisrael Chai—the people of Israel live. And as long as they live, there is hope.

Let us not allow fear to dictate our actions. Let us not let silence become complicity. Speak up, stand strong, and remember: Never Again is now.

Am Yisrael Chai.