The latest bloody developments in the conflict iIsraeli-Palestinian divide citizens around the world, who are igniting in the streets and on social networks. However, a nuanced position is not only possible, but necessary to avoid perpetuating the cycle of violence, believe Quebec political scientists and philosophers.
Protesters glorify attacks on Israeli or Palestinian civilians. Anti-Semitic or Islamophobic remarks are made on the X platform. Politicians reject any criticism towards one camp or the other. The speeches and analysis of this conflict are prey to “extremization”, according to David Morin, holder of the UNESCO Chair in prevention of radicalization and violent extremism. However, we must resist the temptation to simplify this long conflict, which entered a new phase with the Hamas attack last Saturday, according to the professor at the University of Sherbrooke.
“Morality implies that we can have a nuanced position, which considers both the horror and the unacceptable nature of the terrorist attacks committed on Israeli soil and the fact that the Israeli military response, which consists of shelling Gaza — and therefore causing civilian victims — is no longer acceptable,” said Mr. Morin, adding that international humanitarian law applies and that war crimes must be prohibited on both sides.
It is possible to support the Palestinian cause without justifying Hamas’ horrific attacks, he believes, just as one can demonstrate solidarity with the Israeli people without condoning all the actions of Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.
“Morality cannot be of variable geometry. The life of an Israeli civilian is not worth more or less than that of a Palestinian civilian, and vice versa,” argues the political scientist. “Similarly, it seems contradictory to me to demand a Palestinian state while wishing for the eradication of the Israeli state. »
The sources of the problem
Retired professor from UQAM specializing in the Middle East, Rachad Antonius also warns against “selective indignation”. Furthermore, if we want to hope to find common ground, we must put things in their historical and legal context, he believes.
This is also the opinion of Michel Seymour, honorary professor in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Montreal. “We must seize the opportunity of the horrors experienced to raise fundamental questions and provide solutions,” he said by email. He believes that it is necessary, “for ethical reasons, to go to the sources of the problem posed by the current disaster”.
“It is legitimate to recall the causes of the conflict, as well as to recall that the Palestinian people are suffering and that they are locked up in an open-air prison,” Mr. Morin also asserts.
If radical positions tend to take up a lot of space, moderate positions exist, assures Mr. Morin, particularly within the Jewish and Muslim communities, but also within Israeli society.
Niall Ricardo is a Montreal member of Independent Jewish Voices, made up of “Jews and allies, many of whom are of Israeli origin.” His organization wishes to undo this binary vision by expressing solidarity with the Palestinians against “dispossession, oppression, military occupation”.
“It’s not always easy, especially in the last days, because it’s emotional for everyone. For me, as a Jew, all the Jewish victims are an immeasurable tragedy. But if we don’t take this position, what is the solution? How do we move towards peace? That’s the most important question. »
To take a position ?
Favoring nuance does not necessarily mean that we should not take a position, says Christian Nadeau, professor of philosophy at the University of Montreal.
To healthily advance public debate, however, it is necessary to support one’s opinion with arguments and facts. In the current social climate, he notes that thoughtful comments are often abandoned, with everyone content to label, insult or distort opposing opinions to dismiss them. “You can strongly disagree with something, but does it come from a sincere evaluation of what someone else is saying? » asks Mr. Nadeau.
Manichaean speeches which dehumanize the adversary can contribute to the escalation of violence in the Middle East, believes Mr. Morin. There is also the risk of importing this conflict to Canada through the increase in hate crimes and incidents linked to origin or religion.
Mr. Morin believes that political leaders have a duty to avoid speeches that add fuel to the fire and to focus on proposing solutions that support the Israeli and Palestinian populations.
The media should avoid sensationalism. The looping broadcast of terrible images that affect the emotional side, rather than the cognitive side, is anxiety-provoking and galvanizes positions, judges Mr. Morin. “It’s an obstacle to a nuanced stance. »