XENOPHOBIA

(11/23/2023) Xenophobia is an unreasonable fear or hatred of foreigners or strangers. It does not appear to be Christian-like to behave in an irrational way when one is simply confronted with another who is different from oneself. We were always taught to love one another and find no malice. And yet, there are some people who are either taught the opposite, or, simply choose to think that everyone should be just like them. They believe that those, who are different, threaten their very existence, and therefore, they treat these others as their enemy. This appears to be the case in the East. It seems as though the war between the Palestinians and the Israelis has been going on since the beginning of time itself! Only now, the clash between these two nations has drawn the entire world into the fray. And everyone is taking sides. These two neighbours, who want nothing more than to annihilate each other, and who share the same god of Abraham, as do the Christians, are ignoring one of their god’s primary commands, which is, “Love thy neighbour as thyself”! All across the globe, most people are becoming either anti-Semitic or anti-Palestinian. It happened almost overnight, when one group became appalled at the heinous attack, by Hamas terrorists, on the nation of Israel. Too many were too quick to blame the innocent Palestinian people who were caught in the middle of the warfare. But, to make matters worse, half the world began to blame innocent Palestinian people, who resided in other countries, and started to attack them also. Then, the real slaughter began, when Israel’s president Netanyahu retaliated by immediately killing and injuring thousands of innocent Palestinians in Gaza. And the carnage continued to go on. Then, the outrage poured forth from all those around the world who saw Netanyahu’s act as a war crime. “He has gone too far!” they cry. And the supporters of Netanyahu, such as America’s President Biden, are seen to be complicit in his crime. However, Biden, who is condemned for his support of Israel, understands what it is like to be attacked on one’s native soil, by an extremist terrorist group. And so, he declared that he will do all that is possible to wipe out all the terrorists. But, he is also trying to save lives and help those Palestinian people who are trapped in Gaza. Yet, now, there are those of his own people, some who are Palestinian by birth, who saw Biden’s support of Israel as a betrayal of their people. This, while he is doing all that he can to stop the massacre of innocent Palestinians and ensure that they are free to seek safe haven, and relief in the form of water and food as well as fuel and urgent medical aid. “It is not enough!” cry some, and the battle began. It seems that Biden has been placed ‘between a rock and a hard place’, as he attempts to intervene on behalf of innocents on both sides, and bring diplomacy to the table. But, what of the ones already killed? (I was going to say ‘in battle’, however, there was no battle, just sheer slaughter!) Those who seek justice, for the murdered Palestinians, are deemed to be anti-Semitic, although they simply believe in righteousness and retribution for an act of genocide. Meanwhile, Netanyahu has declared that Israel has a right to defend itself, and the other half of the world rallied to his side. Jewish people, and their supporters all over the world, are now clashing with the other half. Thusly, we now have a full scale battle taking place between citizens on the streets of almost every city in major nations around the world. One single terrorist attack has succeeded in dividing the planet, and the world has just become an even more frightening place! Yet, now, we are informed that this original terrorist attack was conceived, supposedly, in order to arrange a trade of Israeli hostages for Palestinians who are being held captive, for an indefinite period of time, by Netanyahu’s regime. While it is inconceivable that Hamas would murder 1200+ innocent Israeli citizens, who had been nothing more than pawns in their scheme, it is an equally unforgivable fact that Netanyahu returned fire on all citizens of Gaza, and killed more than ten times as many Palestinians. Both parties are guilty of genocide! Fortunately, America’s President Biden, acting in the role of diplomat, has managed to negotiate a short term ceasefire, during which the trade can take place. Of course, there are those who will criticize him for that, declaring that it will only allow Hamas the time to regroup. However, it is the safety of innocent people that is at stake, and it is imperative that everything, humanly possible, must be done to ensure the swift return of any and all hostages. It is noted that those of the Israeli hostages, who are to be released by Hamas, are all women and children. And, interestingly, the same is reported of the hostages who are to be released by Netanyahu. Which begs the question, why does Israel have women and children in custody? Now, this takes us back several weeks, to the beginning of the attacks, when it was reported that Netanyahu’s goon squad had detained and actually incarcerated thousands of Palestinians, Gaza citizens, without due process. No charges had been laid and no trial, or court proceedings of any kind, had been held. As a result, tens of thousands of innocent people (citizens on both sides) had been exterminated, seemingly without a second thought, as they were all seen as nothing more than mere collateral damage. So, today, the outraged citizens, around the world, are relieved at the prospect of witnessing the release of many hostages from both camps. It makes one hopeful that the end is in sight for this horrific state of affairs. Naturally, there are those, in the know, who are saying that this is just the beginning as nothing will change for some time. Negotiations will continue for the further release of more hostages, while Hamas utilizes the time to ‘dig in deeper’. But, Israel will continue to hunt down the Hamas terrorists, as it should be, until they are all routed from the holes into which they have scurried. But, now is the time for everyone else to take a step back, breathe deep, and ponder on all the facts, instead of just reacting! And remember that those Palestinian people, in Gaza, are just as innocent as those citizens in Israel. They are also victims of a terrorist organization, trapped and used as human shields, which is the only value that the Hamas terrorists place on them. And stop blaming the entire Palestinian nation for the acts of a terrorist group. If one succumbs, terrorism begets xenophobia! So, do not let Hamas succeed in filling your minds or hearts with fear and hatred! Likewise, the Israeli people are not the culprits responsible for the onslaught in Gaza. Netanyahu is the sole dictator who coldly ordered the immediate eradication of those thousands of innocent Palestinians. The people of Israel have been trying hard to rid themselves of this corrupt dictator for over a decade. And yet, like his counterpart, Putin, in Russia, he has too firm a grip on the government, much like Netanyahu’s friend in the United States, the P.O.T.A.S. (President of the American People). All have powerful, rich backers. To dislike Netanyahu, for his corrupt ways and authoritarian rule, is not an anti-Semitic act, but, simply anti-totalitarian. And one cannot blame all Russians for Putin’s war against Ukraine. Many of the Russian people have been trying to knock Putin out of power for nigh on two decades, and have yet to succeed. To despise Putin, is not an anti-Russian sentiment, but, again, simply anti-authoritarian. The same can be said for every dictator around the world. We cannot hate the Chinese because their leader has declared himself to be emperor for life. And we cannot despise the North Koreans who suffer terribly at the hands of their scary sociopathic ruler. However, totalitarian rule, in dictatorships all around the world, appears to be on the increase, while democracy declines. Fear and hatred is feeding xenophobia! So, how does one fight this sort of compulsiveness? One might make an attempt at a simple act of empathy, for the innocent victims, in a manner that is truly vicarious!