Beyond Outrage
Speaking Out Against the Unspeakable
Cautionary Note: I have lost long-term friends because they found the truth as I was telling it too raw and distressing. I have been branded antisemitic, and far worse. But as a writer and commentator on current affairs I cannot remain silent while watching my fellow humans self-destruct. To do so would make me complicit in the unfolding catastrophe of the Middle East. I apologise to those readers who disagree with my analysis of the situation in Palestine-Israel, or believe I am on the wrong side of history. Just today a close friend told me in no uncertain terms that she had no intention of reading anything more from me on this matter. But I've been silent for too long and am past caring what individuals feel or think about my views.
Silently Screaming
The cycle of condemnation over Israeli actions in the West Bank and Gaza has continued for decades with deteriorating conditions for Palestinians. Words have not only proven to be inadequate, products of the West's propaganda machine, they have been outrageously stage-managed to depict Israel as the innocent victim and Hamas as merciless fanatics. Neither of these depictions should be considered even remotely accurate. To describe the situation as 'complex' is the worst kind of cliché. What is unarguable is that the sheer evil of what's been happening is incomprehensible on so many levels.
Morality has flatlined. The unspeakable atrocities committed by both sides during the past months are obsecen. The genocide being perpetrated against the Palestinian people at least on a par with anything witnessed in Cambodia, Bosnia, Rwanda, Darfur, Yazidi, Myanmar, or the Nazi Holocaust. Each brutal act degrades our entire species, relegating us to the level of depraved monsters.
But if words are next to useless in this distressing yet passionate impasse, wherever and by whom they are uttered, what might actually stop such repulsive hostilities when sustained by so many deceits and delusions? Conceits like the derisory assertion that the Israel Defence Forces is the most 'moral' army on the planet. Or the equally nonsensical claim that Hamas is just a 'resistance movement' standing solely for justice and liberation.
Is Hamas a terrorist organisation? Literally speaking there's no doubt this is the case. Is Israel an apartheid state? Undeniably. Comparing the Israeli-Palestinian situation with South African apartheid offers a few lessons, but there are important differences. While global pressure eventually helped dismantle apartheid in South Africa, Israel's unique geopolitical position complicates any parallel. For one thing, it maintains stronger international support (or did), particularly from the United States, rooted in historical, strategic, and political factors including Holocaust melancholy, military partnerships, and forceful lobbying.
Enough is enough. Mere hand-wringing is an insult to every woman and child slaughtered, every doctor tortured, every war correspondent assassinated, every Palestinian suffering daily under a brutal settler occupation, and every Israeli taken hostage that remains in captivity. Where is the international courage to act decisively against such deeply rooted injustices? Where are the targeted sanctions and imposed diplomatic isolation of Israel? Where is the determination to hold to account those responsible for terror, settlement expansion, forced expulsions, and criminal operations? Why are the Islamic nations in the region so reluctant to give unequivocal support to Palestinians?
The fact that billions of dollars in US military aid flow unfettered to support Israel's carnage is not just morally indefensible—it’s complicity at the highest level. The opposite economic action is not an option—it’s an absolute necessity. Consumer boycotts, divestment campaigns, and corporate accountability must escalate dramatically. It’s time to challenge those who profit from and perpetuate occupation. We need to expose complicity and demand real, tangible consequences. Likewise, legal accountability can no longer remain theoretical. Israel’s impunity, shielded by powerful allies, mocks international law. Investigations by the International Criminal Court and universal jurisdiction cases should be aggressively supported and funded, removing political barriers and confronting obstructionist tactics head-on. Anything less is a betrayal of justice itself.
Another vital aspect of being able to grasp and make sense of what's going on is the role played by the media. The complicity of mainstream media in obscuring Palestinian suffering is shameful. On the other hand, many Israelis live with a deep sense of fear and insecurity, shaped by past violence as well as the retained trauma of the Holocaust. For some, this leads to support for hardline policies they see as necessary for survival, while others feel disillusioned or critical of the occupation, viewing it as unjust and harmful to Palestinians and Israelis alike. Generational and political divides further influence perspectives, with right-wing nationalism dominating in recent years but progressive voices still advocating for peace and Palestinian rights.
At the same time, many ordinary Israelis are simply disconnected from the daily realities of Palestinian suffering due to physical and societal separation, as well as media narratives that emphasize security concerns. Some feel apathetic or powerless, focusing on personal struggles like housing and education rather than the broader conflict.
Understanding these diverse perspectives—rooted in fear, mistrust, moral conflict, or disengagement—is crucial for furthering empathy and paving the way for meaningful dialogue. Social media and grassroots advocacy must play a role in amplifying Palestinian voices and realities even further, exposing truths that corporate media systematically silence or distort. Public outrage must intensify until silence becomes untenable for media outlets and politicians alike.
Politically, voters must not tolerate rulers who turn a blind eye to affliction, or those who offer only empty platitudes. Conditioning military aid, demanding accountability from officials, and explicitly acknowledging Palestinian rights should become electoral litmus tests—no exceptions. The spinelessness of politicians who fear political backlash more than the moral catastrophe they have enabled must end—now.
I've always assumed that giving support to those who are suffering is an essential component of what it means to be human. In this context, supporting Palestinian civil society isn’t charity. It's showing solidarity. Investing in education, legal aid, healthcare, and economic empowerment initiatives led by Palestinians themselves strengthens resilience and defiance against oppression. International allies must commit concretely and consistently, not just rhetorically and from time to time, or when it suits them.
The Lobby
Cracks in Israel’s traditional support networks are beginning to show. This is hardly surprising. Younger generations worldwide increasingly reject complicity in human rights abuses, so why would the Middle East be an exception. As progressive political voices grow louder, it's clear that international patience is wearing thin. The status quo, built on injustice and sustained by complicity and cowardice, is becoming politically unsustainable. But outrage alone, however justified, is insufficient unless it can be channeled into coordinated pressure across every front—diplomatic, economic, legal, political, and social. Justice delayed is justice denied. Palestinians cannot wait any longer—and neither should we.
Pro-Israel lobbying is widespread, though not without its critics who argue that these groups sometimes stifle legitimate criticism of Israeli policies, equating it with anti-Semitism. Others raise concerns about the disproportionate influence of pro-Israel lobbying on foreign policy, particularly in the US and in Western Europe. Additionally, there's tension between traditional Israel-lobby organisations and more progressive ones like J Street, over how to approach contentious issues like the occupation and Palestinian rights.
Against this backdrop we must never forget that antisemitism is not a relic of the past, but a persistent form of hatred that continues to harm Jewish communities today. That cannot be used as a pretext for indiscriminate support of Israel, nor does it detract from the need to place the Israel-Palestine conflict in the broader context of regional stability.
Effectively countering the formidable influence of pro-Israel lobbying efforts demands a radical approach that simultaneously engages politicians, media, and the grassroots in public discourse. Given the entrenched nature of this lobby, particularly in the US, Australia, Canada and Europe, success cannot be achieved through isolated activities or sporadic responses. Relentless, coordinated, strategic initiatives across multiple fronts are needed.
Transparency and accountability offer two valid starting points. Political lobbying mostly thrives in secrecy and opacity. It stands to reason then, that clear identification of the key lobbyists, their funding sources, and their mechanisms of influence, is an imperative. Documenting and widely publicising financial connections, campaign contributions, and pressure tactics not only informs the public about how policy decisions are shaped but also weakens lobbyists' capacity to operate discreetly. Advocating for legislation that dictates clearer disclosure of lobbying efforts, especially foreign influence, can further diminish their effectiveness, as greater transparency makes it harder for politicians to quietly prioritize narrow interests over broader human rights considerations.
Building grassroots coalitions constitutes another critical pillar of resistance. The pro-Israel lobby has long leveraged its highly organised and effective grassroots base. To counteract this, activists must similarly mobilise broad and diverse networks. Uniting human rights advocates, progressive Jewish organisations opposed to the occupation, Palestinian solidarity groups, faith-based communities, student activists, and international human rights organisations can generate a formidable counterweight. Likewise, engaged constituents—armed with accurate information and clear demands—can press elected representatives through town halls, letter-writing campaigns, petitions, and protests, thereby directly influencing political calculations and creating tangible electoral incentives for politicians to reconsider their positions.
At the same time, reshaping the narrative around the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is vital. Pro-Israel lobbying relies heavily on controlling public perceptions through mainstream media narratives, carefully curated talking points, cherry-picking of data, and aggressive efforts to silence or marginalize alternative views. Challenging this monopoly requires proactive and strategic media engagement. Rapidly countering misinformation with clear, factual rebuttals—shared widely through accessible digital platforms and social media—is essential. Equally important is amplifying authentic Palestinian voices, testimonies, and lived experiences, as firsthand accounts powerfully humanize Palestinians, disrupt simplistic narratives, and challenge stereotypes. A sustained media strategy that humanizes Palestinian narratives and exposes injustice makes it increasingly difficult for lobbyists to dominate the conversation unchallenged.
Policy advocacy must also be strengthened, supported by rigorous research and credible analysis. Think tanks and independent policy institutes committed to human rights and the rule of international law play a crucial role in formulating alternative strategic options. They can provide policymakers with detailed briefings, research reports, and empirical evidence that run counter to prevailing pro-Israel positions. Direct engagement with policymakers willing to introduce evenhanded legislation is also vital. Equipping these officials with solid arguments and comprehensive data helps them resist lobbyist pressure and articulate clear alternatives based on justice, human rights, and international law.
Legal and international accountability mechanisms provide another powerful avenue. Israel has long benefited from political protection that insulates it from accountability under international law. Activists should advocate strongly for International Criminal Court investigations and universal jurisdiction cases aimed at holding Israeli officials accountable for human rights abuses, war crimes, and violations of international law. Publicising these legal efforts creates political discomfort for policymakers who knowingly support or enable violations, making it harder for lobbyists to dismiss or downplay accountability measures.
Economic pressure through ethical campaigns, such as Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS), provides another powerful lever. Despite facing significant pushback, stigmatisation, and political attacks, economic campaigns have raised global awareness and increased the costs associated with occupation as well as human rights violations. Targeting complicit corporations and institutions through divestment, shareholder activism, and consumer boycotts can exert meaningful pressure, highlighting corporate complicity and forcing difficult ethical questions into the public arena. Such economic activism, clearly communicated and strategically implemented, offers tangible consequences for those who benefit from and perpetuate injustice.
Strategic electoral engagement is equally indispensable. Supporting principled candidates who explicitly advocate for Palestinian rights and human rights-based policies helps shift political discourse away from unconditional support for Israeli policies. Publicly tracking politicians' voting records and statements—making this information highly visible to voters—fosters accountability and raises the political costs of complicity. Voters who clearly demand that their representatives condition military aid, speak out against human rights abuses, and support Palestinian rights can gradually reshape party platforms and electoral calculations.
Finally, sustained educational outreach and public awareness initiatives, especially targeting younger demographics and campuses, offer essential foundations for long-term change. Younger generations are increasingly receptive to narratives championing international law, thereby challenging many traditional assumptions about unconditional support for Israeli policies. Educational programs, media projects, and community dialogues help deepen understanding, foster empathy, and build informed communities capable of resisting lobbyist narratives.
Ultimately, effectively countering pro-Israel lobbying requires persistence, strategic clarity, and moral courage. No single tactic will suffice. Only a coordinated strategy—combining transparency, grassroots mobilisation, media advocacy, policy research, legal accountability, economic pressure, electoral engagement, and sustained education—can meaningfully challenge entrenched lobbying power.
Fast Forward
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict represents one of humanity's most intractable moral and political problems, defying simple solutions and testing our collective capacity for empathy, justice, and reconciliation. What emerges is not certainty but possibility; not inevitability but human agency in shaping what comes next.
The raw truths of this conflict are distressing. Decades of condemnation and outrage have failed to prevent deteriorating conditions for Palestinians or security for Israelis. Words alone have proven woefully inadequate against the backdrop of occupation, settlement expansion, violence, and dehumanisation. The horrific cycles of violence we've witnessed—from Hamas's October attacks to Israel's devastating campaign in Gaza—have inflicted trauma and wounds that will take generations to heal.
Yet amidst this gloom, we've seen glimpses of what might be possible: targeted sanctions that create meaningful economic consequences; grassroots movements challenging entrenched power structures; legal accountability mechanisms slowly gaining traction; media narratives beginning to shift; political pressure mounting from younger generations; and resilient civil society organizations working tirelessly across divides.
The pro-Israel lobby's influence, while formidable, is not immutable. Transparency initiatives, diverse coalitions, narrative reshaping, policy advocacy, legal accountability, economic pressure, and strategic electoral engagement all represent pathways through which determined citizens can challenge the status quo. The growing generational divide on this issue suggests that what once seemed politically impossible may eventually become inevitable.
Whatever future emerges—whether a two-state solution, confederation, or some as-yet-unimagined arrangement—will require confronting painful realities on all sides. For Israelis, this means reckoning with the moral and democratic costs of occupation. For Palestinians, it means building unified, effective governance and strategic resistance. For the international community, it means moving beyond performative outrage to meaningful action.
The most profound question left hanging over this conflict is not whether a solution is possible—history teaches us that no conflict is truly permanent—but whether we possess the collective moral courage to pursue justice without demonising either side. Can we hold space for both the legitimate security concerns of Israelis and the fundamental rights of Palestinians? Can we acknowledge historical trauma while refusing to be imprisoned by it? And ultimately, can we imagine a future where the humanity of all who inhabit this contested land is recognised not as a political concession but as a moral imperative?