Definition

It’s hard to write a blog right now – it’s hard to do anything right now – knowing what’s happening in Gaza. In Australia, there’s a debate going on about terminology: the powers that be and the media are talking semantics. And while they’re discussing the definitions of antisemitism, genocide and war crimes, people are dying. Thousands of people. Little children. Entire families. People are hungry, displaced and afraid.

And this is happening on our watch.

My daughter has started a GoFundMe page for Mohammed Abu Amsha and his family in Gaza. If you can spare even $5, please donate. People have lost their livelihoods and the price of food in Gaza is astronomical. One meal for a family of this size can cost as much as US$100.

If you’re not comfortable donating to that individual GoFundMe page, there’s a group on Instagram called Coffees for Gaza who coordinate donations.

And you can support @ReadersAndWritersAgainstGenocide by buying a t-shirt, tote bag or hoodie.

I send love and the utmost respect to my Jewish friends. What you and your families have endured is unconscionable and unforgivable.

I send love and the utmost respect to the Palestinian people. What you and your families have endured is unconscionable and unforgivable.

In Optimism over Despair, Noam Chomsky writes: Violence begets violence. 

Let us end the violence.

Let us find peace.

Let those of us who enjoy living in peace be willing to stand up and share it with those who do not.

You may call me a communist. I am not.

You may call me antisemitic. I am certainly not.

You may call me a dreamer. That I am. And always will be.

In these most unprecedented times, I refuse to give up hope. Here’s Chomsky again:

If you assume that there is no hope, you guarantee that there will be no hope. If you assume that there is an instinct for freedom, that there are opportunities to change things, then there is a possibility that you can contribute to making a better world.

The definition I’m interested in right now is for the word compassion: the sympathetic consciousness of others' distress together with a desire to alleviate it.

There, but for the grace of God, go I.

Please stand with me.