Why do Israelis and the rest of the world view the Gaza conflict so differently? And can this disconnect be overcome?

• Once the fighting stops, the world’s attention will shift to tough “day after” negotiations, which would necessitate, among other things, painful and risky concessions from both sides.
• Given the vast deficits of trust and favour between Israelis and Palestinians, such concessions will be extremely difficult to achieve.
• And while learning about the tragedies of others can support healing and reconciliation processes, turning victimhood into a competition has produced polarisation and distrust.

How Israelis are viewing the war

• More than 28,000 Palestinians have been killed so far, and many more are still under the rubble.
• However, Israelis don’t see on their screens what the rest of the world sees.
• Read more:
  Reflections on hope during unprecedented violence in the Israel-Hamas war

A sense of betrayal

• In their worst nightmares, Israelis could not imagine or make sense of the support for the Hamas attack, or the widespread denial that atrocities had occurred at all.
• Some of the victims on October 7 had for years been active members of the peace movement.
• This has been more likely the case on the political left and in the centre, where many people have lost a sense of security and hope.
• The only thing animating some calls for a ceasefire deal now is the ongoing risk to the hostages and the sense of national responsibility for their fate.

The international campaign for Palestine

• For much of the world, the never-ending violations of Palestinians’ rights by Jewish settlers, the Israeli state and Israeli security forces have legitimised the struggle for a free Palestine, many times over.
• However, anger at injustices should not lead to support – or even acquiescence – for the killing of civilians, by either side.
• Not because this objective is more important than others, but because without it, there will be no end to the occupation.

The ‘day after’ solution

• Hate comes easily in the face of injustices, as does empathy for the suffering on one own’s side.
• It is much harder to empathise with the misfortunes of “others” who may or may not have brought their misery upon themselves.
• Those who have been severely aggrieved may struggle to apply the same yardstick to others, but the rest of us could and should.

Eyal Mayroz does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.