Dear researcher, I would like to express my sympathy for the Palestinian civilian population, but I do not wish to be anti-Semitic or be perceived as such, nor do I want to hurt my Jewish (best) friend.
A deadlocked situation
That is a difficult question. The situation is so deadlocked that, for some people, showing sympathy for one side is immediately interpreted as rejecting the other. Added to this is the fact that the political situation in the Middle East (and the history of the region) is not exactly easy to explain. It is also difficult to understand that the usual ‘good versus evil’ patterns do not apply here, or rather, fall short.
Recognising the suffering of the ‘other side’
I am asked this question very often, mostly by school pupils. I reply that, for me, recognising the suffering of the ‘other side’ is a fundamental part of dealing with this situation.
In other words: statements such as ‘7 October was terrible, BUT what’s happening now is really terrible …’ or ‘The Palestinians have only themselves to blame; they voted for Hamas’ do not promote dialogue.
Different histories of nation-state thinking
Nor should we forget the respective histories both sides bring with them in relation to nation-state thinking. The Israelis know that the state represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity after almost 2,000 years without a state. The Palestinians are, in this regard, a pawn of the Arab countries. Had an Arab state – as originally envisaged – been proclaimed in 1948 (at that time, the term ‘Palestinians’ was not yet in use), history would certainly have taken a different course. The political situation of the Palestinians would likely be different.
However, the groups speaking on behalf of the Palestinians at the time (above all the Arab League) would thereby have recognised the existence (and the legitimacy of the existence) of a Jewish state – and that was something they were determined to avoid at all costs.