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They say that history teaches us. That we can learn from the mistakes of the past. And yet history repeats itself time and again.

Unfortunately, history is often determined by those who write it, and moreover, those who allow it to be written. The narrative is often controlled by those in power. This means that history is often distorted and left to interpretation.

There are too many occasions in the past where censorship has tilted the balance. Books were banned or burnt, and authors threatened or forced into exile.

Even as I write this I think of how many people will take offense at what I am writing. Although I am not writing to offend. I am merely stating an opinion formed after hours of thought.

Who Was Where When

Narratives are always been related to time. The Middle East is a particularly complex one. Israel points towards the October 7 attack as a cause of its current actions. Before that, both sides had numerous instances when they claimed provocation by the other side.

The history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict predates the Holocaust. Both sides claim to have a right to the land. These claims reach back in history. Each side pointing at particular periods when the land was theirs.

The issue is further clouded when the Zionist movement and Jews are thought to be one and the same. Zionists are Jews but not all Jews are Zionists. Similarly, in recent years, Hamas claims to fight for Palestinian rights. However, not all Palestinians appreciate Hamas, nor are all of them members of Hamas.

I have read numerous books about the Holocaust. Several years ago I came across a small pamphlet showing photos of those lucky enough to survive. It still appalls me that, any group or nation can be treated that way.

A few years ago I wrote a poem to commemorate Holocaust Remembrance Day. The poem has the title Lost Works of Art and I decided to include it in my book. I wanted to highlight the waste of human life and how such a waste should never be accepted.

At the same time I could see that what started as a reaction to 7 October was becoming more sinister. So I include a footnote to the poem. I wanted to make it clear that I believe Genocide is unacceptable. Regardless of who commits or suffers it.

The current human tragedy is unacceptable. A line has to be drawn in any conflict. When children are displaced, killed or slowly being starved to death. The international community needs to react.

After all, what happened to Jews, Homosexuals and Roma during WWII was a result of the lack of commitment shown by world leaders in the face of Nazi Germany.

The international sense of guilt after the war lead to the creation of the nation of Israel in 1948. Unfortunately, the plight of the Palestinian people was not considered. The ongoing situation is a result of that oversight.

The killing must stop. The persecution of children must stop. It is not a question of taking sides. It is a matter of basic humanity.

I honestly believe it is the only way either side will ever have true peace.

This blog is the ninth in a series of 30 leading up to my sixtieth birthday.  Subscribe to my blog to keep up to date with my posts.

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