My Greek Friend, Macedonians and Gaza: The Strange Limits to Empathy
He is Greek by nationality, and I know and respect him as someone who has for years fought tirelessly for the minority rights of Macedonians, who have been oppressed by his own homeland (as he says). He even says that he lives in a country that has committed genocide. Moreover, he has been a long-standing European activist for the rights of all small nations, including the Catalans.
But when it comes to Gaza, I cannot recognize my friend. He sheds tears for the Jews and refers to members of Hamas as subhumans. He places all the blame for the suffering—both in Gaza and in Israel—on them. I was shocked by his subhuman rhetoric! That is the first step toward genocidal policies and means: create the image of unspeakable evil, and then every action becomes “justified.” I do not know how he makes a distinction between members and non-members of Hamas. But on the other hand, why would anyone remain nonviolent and sheepishly passive if their people have been systematically erased from the face of the earth for DECADES—not just months? Against all norms of international law!!!
Yes, he is a Greek who not only recognizes Macedonians as a distinct people but sincerely loves them. Those who know even a little about Greek-Macedonian relations will understand what I mean. It takes great virtue and courage to hold such a position, and I know it’s not easy for him.
On the other hand, I don’t understand how he does not see the similarity between ethnic Macedonians and Palestinians. Yes, the former are not being physically killed, but they are on the edge of existence due to the erasure of their identity, culture, history, language, and their right to declare who they are—without Europe getting upset.
But even if this parallel didn’t exist, even if I weren’t Macedonian, as a human being I must stand on the side of the oppressed and disenfranchised.
Today we should all be shouting, “I am a Palestinian.” And that is because we are human beings, not antisemites. Humanity is being killed in Gaza while genocide is being “televised”. It’s not about Hamas, it’s about all of us. If they can be complicit in this crime, they can do anything to anyone.
I think the difference in his mind is probably due to exposure. He's had enough exposure to Macedonians to have a heart for them, but he's likely never been to Israel or Palestine. If he's a practicing Orthodox, sermons in church probably take the Israeli side of things. If he had personal contact with Palestinians, he would change his tune. Their humanity would grow in his heart.
This is how xenophobia is rooted in ignorance. How can you hate someone when you've felt their goodness? Some people continue down the path of evil, but that's willful, and most people don't make that decision once they've had the exposure to trigger that critical decision point. But in order to do that we have to open our hearts, open our hands and interact with each other.
The moral incongruences are limitless.
My only explanation is that the digital age, has turned the world into separated and static pictures, none part of a connected narrative. At the same time it's a huge illusion of boundless information.